U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., invited Robert Kennedy to testify April 10 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for the first time in his capacity as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary. The HELP invitation went out April 1 amid an outcry as thousands of employees across HHS agencies were being notified of their immediate termination and many lawmakers demanded answers about the mass layoffs.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc. filed its BLA with the U.S. FDA for sibeprenlimab to treat immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The company’s first BLA, sibeprenlimab is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that selectively inhibits the activity of APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) in adults with IgAN.
Anocca AB has secured the first regulatory authorization in Europe for a CRISPR-Cas gene-edited T-cell receptor T-cell therapy trial, with the phase I/II study now due to start over the next three months at sites in Sweden, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services begins implementing its reorganization and reduction-in-force plan by sending out termination notices this week to 10,000 more employees across its agencies, top Democrats in Congress are demanding details about the plan.
French biotech Pep-Therapy SAS is in the midst of raising a €20 million (US$21.62 million) round and, at the same time, prospecting for potential partners after winning FDA orphan drug designation for its bifunctional peptide Pep-010 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pep-010 currently is moving to the conclusion of a phase Ib trial and the new money will fund phase II development.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc. filed its BLA with the U.S. FDA for sibeprenlimab to treat immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The company’s first BLA, sibeprenlimab is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that selectively inhibits the activity of APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) in adults with IgAN.
Peter Marks’ March 28 letter giving one week’s notice of his resignation as director of the U.S. FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is sending more ripples of uncertainty throughout the industry. Marks, who has helmed CBER for nearly a decade, blamed his departure on recently confirmed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy, who has made a career out of his anti-vaccine stance.
Relacorilant, a cortisol modulator from Corcept Therapeutics Inc., produced new and strong phase III results in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company also has relacorilant in studies that could eventually lead to approval in other indications. In the near term, though, the positive data led to the company’s stock (NASDAQ:CORT) closing 109% higher at $114.22 per share on March 31.
Australia’s top universities are looking more to Asia for research collaborations following threats from the Trump administration to stop funding research at institutions that don’t comply with U.S. narratives.
Sanofi SA gained U.S. FDA approval for fitusiran as a first-in-class siRNA therapy for hemophilia. Branded Qfitlia, the antithrombin-lowering therapy is indicated for use as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors, and joins the small but growing group of non-factor therapy options, with the advantage of a broad label and a convenient dosing regimen.