Genes associated with lysosomal dysfunction increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study led by scientists at Northwestern University. The discovery also explains why some people who carry a pathogenic variant of the GBA1 gene develop PD or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and others do not. The key lies in the Commander complex, involved in the transport of proteins to this organelle. This discovery raises the need for combinatorial therapies that act on more than one pathway for this type of neurodegenerative disorder.
Biopharma happenings in Asia-Pacific including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Biocon Biologics, Cellino Biotech, Daiichi Sankyo, Elix, Karis, Prism Biolab, Rege Nephro, Regeneron, Syros, Wayfinder.
As pharma deals with the impact of U.S. NIH grant cuts and the imposition of tariffs, a lot of pressure is shifting to smaller and midcap companies, according to two executives who spoke on the newest BioWorld Insider podcast.
Antibody-drug conjugate developer Duality Biotherapeutics Inc. debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) with a HK$1.64 billion (US$211.4 million) IPO April 15, making it one of the biggest offerings made under the HKEX’s Chapter 18A listing regime since 2020.
The U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) is urging Congress to reinvest in American biotechnology because “the U.S. is dangerously close to falling behind China,” according to a May 8 report. "The United States is locked in a competition with China that will define the coming century," said NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.). “Biotechnology is the next phase in that competition. It is no longer constrained to the realm of scientific achievement. It is now an imperative for national security, economic power and global influence.”
Remegen Co. Ltd. emerged as a surprise challenger in the generalized myasthenia gravis space, unveiling positive phase III data of its China-approved lupus drug, telitacicept (RCT-18; Tai’ai), in the rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology conference.
Tryptamine Therapeutics Ltd. is gearing up to enter the clinic with lead compound TRP-8803, an intravenous-infused psilocybin therapy, in patients with binge eating disorder in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Biopharma companies brought in $13.08 billion in financing during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, marking a significant drop from every quarter of 2024. The number of financings also declined, with 239 transactions completed in Q1 this year, down from a quarterly average of approximately 299 deals in 2024.
RSS
