Ovarian cancer remains unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors due to its ability to suppress cytotoxicity from immune cells that are infiltrating the tumor, where the O-glycosylation pathway may be disrupted. Precision Biologics Inc. is developing PB-vcMMAE-5, an antibody-drug conjugate composed of the monoclonal antibody PB-223, which targets tumor-specific truncated core-2 O-glycans, conjugated to microtubule inhibitor MMAE and with a drug-to-antibody ratio of 3.92.

Debiopharm SA has exercised its option to license Sunrock Biopharma SL’s SRB-21, a bispecific HER3/HER2 antibody.

Generating gametes from nonreproductive tissues could help overcome infertility. Previous studies have successfully transformed stem cells into viable oocytes through cellular reprogramming. Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) developed a method to derive them from skin cells via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), unlocking a mechanism that blends mitosis and meiosis. Now, the researchers have taken another step forward by generating fertilizable eggs from human skin cells.

Biolinerx Ltd. and Hemispherian AS have established a joint venture (JV) to develop GLIX-1, Hemispherian’s lead drug candidate being developed as a potential treatment for newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma.

Two independent studies applied CRISPR-based genetic editing – one to treat leukemia and the other to target myeloma – to overcome the challenges faced by CAR T cells, such as exhaustion, impaired activation and fratricide, a phenomenon in which they attack each other.