Watchers of the Bruton’s kinase (BTK) inhibitor space may be casting renewed skepticism in that direction after Merck KGaA disclosed April 12 that the U.S. FDA placed a partial clinical hold on the sign-up of more patients in work testing evobrutinib in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) – but BTK efforts in MS continue in various quarters.
Tscan Therapeutics Inc.’s Wall Street-pleasing deal with Amgen Inc. in Crohn’s disease (CD) could expand into ulcerative colitis, but meanwhile is bringing $30 million up front with the potential for more than $500 million in preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered single-digit royalties. Shares of Waltham, Mass.-based Tscan (NASDAQ:TCRX) closed May 9 at $3.40, up $1.25, or 58%, as the world learned of the multiyear collaboration with Amgen, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., that will use Tscan’s target discovery platform, Targetscan, to identify the antigens recognized by T cells in patients with CD.
Immunogen Inc. scored a major win in top-line data from the confirmatory phase III trial called Mirasol evaluating the approved antibody-drug conjugate Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx, “mirv”) vs. chemotherapy in patients with folate receptor alpha-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). The victory led shares of the Waltham, Mass.-based firm to close May 3 at $12.26, a rise of $7.06, or 135%.
Saddled with disappointing results from a phase III trial with Filspari (sparsentan) in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), officials of Travere Therapeutics Inc. stressed the differences between that disorder and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) – for which the drug was cleared by the U.S. FDA in February. Two-year IgAN efficacy data are due in the fourth quarter of this year.
A mid-stage prospect for Pompe disease (PD) – this one from Maze Therapeutics Inc. – caught the eye of Sanofi SA, and the pair signed a potential $750 million deal to move along the oral glycogen synthase (GYS1) inhibitor MZE-001, a substrate reduction therapy.
Touting what’s been so far the “cleanest safety profile that’s been presented with genetic medicine in the eye,” deemed “a game changer for this field,” 4D Molecular Therapeutics Inc. CEO David Kirn said phase III planning will begin in later this year to test gene therapy 4D-150 in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The supply chain for Seres Therapeutics Inc.’s oral microbiome therapeutic Vowst, formerly known as SER-109, to prevent recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI) is “well-established,” said David Arkowitz, the firm’s chief financial officer and head of business development. “It’s the same supply chain that we used for phase III [trials], and we’ve been manufacturing product for launch for some time.” Arkowitz spoke during a conference call with investors April 27, regarding the previous day’s U.S. FDA go-ahead for Vowst, cleared for adults with rCDI, including first recurrence following antibacterial therapy.
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.
