As expected, Seres Therapeutics Inc. gained U.S. FDA approval of the BLA for the oral microbiome therapeutic Vowst, formerly known as SER-109, for prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI), accepted for priority review in October of 2022 without an advisory committee meeting.
Moderna Inc.’s mixed results in mid-February from a trial with its mRNA influenza vaccine served to emphasize the need for a more comprehensive preventer of the still problematic-for-many seasonal bug – a space where Vir Biotechnology Inc. has been busy and is slated to report closely watched phase II data from the study called Peninsula in late spring or early summer of this year.
The U.S. FDA’s green light April 17 for Abbvie Inc. to expand the label of Qulipta (atogepant) – the first and only oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for migraine, with language that includes prevention of such headaches chronically in adults – provided a welcome addition to the arsenal, but sufferers are still waiting for an improved remedy. Vaxxinity Inc. just might have it. And with a vaccine, no less.
As investors await phase II/III data from Gritstone Bio Inc.’s closely watched trial with Granite, an individualized neoantigen vaccine for microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer, Wall Street was busy handicapping odds for firm’s new approach, given the struggles by personalized methods generally.
Immuneering Corp.’s positive pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety phase I data with universal RAS inhibitor IMM-1-104 let the company move up the timeline for a recommended phase II dose from previous guidance of mid-2024 to early next year.
As expected, the serotonin-dopamine modulator Rexulti (brexpiprazole) from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and H. Lundbeck A/S for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, found favor April 14 at the joint meeting of the U.S. FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (adcom) and the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee.
As Merck & Co. Inc.’s whopper proposal to take over Prometheus Biosciences Inc. for $10.8 billion faded from the ever-churning headlines, officials of the pharma heavyweight set about answering questions with regard to plans for the newly gained PRA-023, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A).
As expected, the serotonin-dopamine modulator Rexulti (brexpiprazole) from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and H. Lundbeck A/S for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, found favor April 14 at the joint meeting of the U.S. FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (adcom) and the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee.
Briefing documents suggest smooth sailing for Rexulti (brexpiprazole) at the meeting to deliberate an application to expand the label of the compound from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Lundbeck A/S into agitation related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. A joint sit-down on April 14 of the U.S. FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (adcom) and the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee will take up the matter of an add-on indication for Rexulti, a serotonin-dopamine activity modulator for schizophrenia and for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder.
Human Immunology Biosciences Inc. (Hi-Bio) is moving ahead to late-stage work after disclosing positive phase II data from two trials testing the monoclonal antibody felzartamab for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), a rare autoantibody-mediated autoimmune kidney disease and a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome. CEO Travis Murdoch told BioWorld that his firm is “working through designs for the next study, and planning to engage with regulators,” after which more details will be shared. PMN, he added, has “not been heavily trodden, but increasingly there’s a recognition that there’s an important patient and commercial opportunity” in the indication.
