Parvus Therapeutics Inc.'s PVT-201 has received orphan drug status from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune disease of the liver.

Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received FDA clearance of an IND application to study Iomab-ACT for targeted conditioning prior to a bone marrow transplant (BMT) in patients with sickle cell disease. 

Iaso Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the IND application for IASO-782 injection for a new indication – systemic lupus erythematosus.

Tiximed Inc. has received IND clearance for its inhibitor of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), TIX-100, in individuals with type 1 diabetes. TIX-100 is a potent and specific inhibitor of TXNIP.

Zymeworks Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for ZW-191, the company’s novel folate receptor-α (FRα)-targeted topoisomerase I (TOPO1) inhibitor antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Clinical development is set to begin this year, with filings to initiate studies outside the U.S. to be made in the second half of this year.

Myogenica Inc., a University of Minnesota startup company, has obtained IND approval from the FDA for Myopaxon, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived muscle stem cell product to regenerate skeletal muscle. A planned study will evaluate intramuscular injections of Myopaxon in non-ambulatory adult patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Artelo Biosciences Inc.’s IND application for ART-26.12, for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, has been granted clearance by the FDA allowing the company to initiate a first-in-human phase I study. Results are expected in the first half of next year.

Rznomics Inc. has received clinical trial notification (CTN) from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the initiation of a phase I/IIa trial evaluating RZ-004, a gene therapeutic candidate for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa with rhodopsin mutation.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has received clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials in China with SYS-6016, the company’s mRNA respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.