In yet another fail for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) field, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s pizuglanstat (TAS-205) did not meet the primary endpoint in a phase III trial. The phase III Reach-DMD trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and open-label, extension study of pizuglanstat in patients with DMD showed no significant difference in the mean change from baseline to 52 weeks in the primary endpoint of time to rise from the floor in the ambulatory cohort of the study.
Aussie researchers have used CRISPR gene editing tools to “armor” chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to activate additional cancer-fighting proteins at the tumor site, enabling them to target cancer cells in solid tumors.
China’s National Medical Products Administration gave the green light to Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s Enzeshu (suvemcitug) for treating recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer in combination with paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan in adults who have received at least one systemic therapy after platinum resistance.
Four days ahead of its July 7 PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval to Dizal (Jiangsu) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s sunvozertinib (DZD-9008), branded as Zegfrovy, for treating adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations following platinum-based chemotherapy.
Aussie researchers have used CRISPR gene editing tools to “armor” chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to activate additional cancer-fighting proteins at the tumor site, enabling them to target cancer cells in solid tumors.
Ophthalmology company Polyactiva Pty Ltd closed a AU$40 million (US$25 million) series C round to advance late-stage clinical trials in the U.S. of its lead candidate, PA-5108.
Innovent Biologics Inc. announced a HKD$4.3 billion (US$547 million) placement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to advance its R&D projects and to fund its global expansion.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted for review Carsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd.’s NDA for satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel, CT-041), an autologous CAR T candidate targeting Claudin18.2 for treating Claudin18.2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJA) in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy. Just one day earlier, Carsgen announced that it had submitted the satri-cel NDA to the NMPA.
Australia’s largest health insurance company, Medibank Private Ltd., is the first to reimburse for psychedelic treatment in Australia, funding Emyria Ltd.’s MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) program for post-traumatic stress disorder offered through the Perth Clinic.
Taiwan’s Hanchorbio Inc. is out-licensing its breakthrough checkpoint inhibitor, HCB-101, to Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. in a deal worth more than $200 million.
