Akeso Inc. has received IND approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for AK-139, an IL-4Rα/ST2 bispecific antibody under investigation for a number of indications, including respiratory and skin diseases.

Ensoma Inc.’s lead program, EN-374, has been granted orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease. Ensoma anticipates filing an IND application for EN-374 in the first half of this year.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has gained clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SYS-6017, an mRNA vaccine to prevent herpes zoster infections.

Bioray Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has announced clinical trial clearance in China by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for BR-111 for injection for the treatment of ROR1-positive hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Arbor Biotechnologies Inc.’s ABO-101 has been awarded orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1).

Ariceum Therapeutics GmbH’s radiopharmaceutical 225Ac-SSO110 ([225Ac]satoreotide tetraxetran) has been awarded orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). [225Ac]Satoreotide is a first-in-class Actinium-labeled somatostatin SST2 receptor antagonist.

Cour Pharmaceuticals Development Co. Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for CNP-103, a nanoparticle in development to address the underlying autoimmunity of type 1 diabetes. A first-in-human phase Ib/IIa trial will begin later this year and will enroll adults (aged 18-35 years) and pediatric patients (aged 12-17) who have stage III or newly diagnosed (within the last 6 months) type 1 diabetes as well as C-peptide >0.2 ng/mL.

Auron Therapeutics Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for its oral KAT2A/B degrader AUTX-703 in hematological malignancies. A phase I proof-of-concept trial in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will open enrollment this quarter, supported by a recently completed $27 million series B financing.

HCW Biologics Inc. has received clearance of its IND application from the FDA to initiate a first-in-human phase I trial to evaluate HCW-9302 in patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata.

Seed Therapeutics Inc.’s ST-01156 has been awarded orphan drug designation for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma as well as rare pediatric disease designation by the FDA.