Manufacturing deficiencies stand in the way of two BLAs as complete response letters (CRLs) were issued to Eli Lilly and Co. and to Alvotech Holdings SA. The U.S. FDA issued the CRL to Lilly regarding the BLA for mirikizumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody to treat ulcerative colitis, specifically citing manufacturing concerns. There’s a similar problem with Alvotech’s biosimilar candidate for Abbvie Inc.’s Humira (adalimumab). The FDA issued a CRL for AVT-02’s BLA, citing problems needing resolution at its Reykjavik, Iceland, manufacturing facility before it could approve the application.
With a May 29 PDUFA date nearing, the U.S. FDA’s Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee meets April 17 to discuss the merits of Entasis Therapeutics Inc.’s hospital-acquired infection therapy.
In collaborating with Novo Nordisk A/S, privately held Aspect Biosystems Ltd. entered its biggest ever deal that could bring in more than $2.6 billion while advancing its 3D, bioprinted tissue therapeutics technology. The two companies will collaborate to develop up to four diabetes and/or obesity products, a Novo specialty, using implantable bioprinted tissues to replace, repair or supplement human biological functions. The initial target will be type 1 diabetes.
On Vaccine Day, Moderna Inc. had to tell the world there weren’t enough flu cases to get a good reading in one of its two phase III vaccine studies. The northern hemisphere clinical trial of mRNA-1010, a seasonal quadrivalent vaccine, did not meet the statistical threshold because there were not enough sick participants to test to determine an interim efficacy analysis.
In the string of successes and frustrations generated by their five-year collaboration, Merck & Co. Inc. and Eisai Inc. can now add a few more frustrations. The companies are discontinuing the phase III LEAP-003 study of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) plus Lenvima (lenvatinib) for first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma because it did not improve overall survival (OS) vs. Keytruda as a monotherapy. Also, the phase III LEAP-017 trial evaluating the combination in unresectable and metastatic colorectal cancer did not meet its primary endpoint of OS.
In the string of successes and frustrations generated by their five-year collaboration, Merck & Co. Inc. and Eisai Inc. can now add a few more frustrations. The companies are discontinuing the phase III LEAP-003 study of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) plus Lenvima (lenvatinib) for first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma because it did not improve overall survival (OS) vs. Keytruda as a monotherapy. Also, the phase III LEAP-017 trial evaluating the combination in unresectable and metastatic colorectal cancer did not meet its primary endpoint of OS.
While the larger market has slowed, venture capital (VC) financing continues with two new funds, one from 35-year-old Canaan Partners and one from newbie Cure Ventures. The 13th fund from Canaan contains $850 million in new capital, including an oversubscribed $650 million fund intended for seed and series A funding. Cure Ventures launched its inaugural fund with $350 million in capital commitments.
Despite an early stumble, the U.S. FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to the C5a inhibitor Gohibic (vilobelimab) from Inflarx NV for treating COVID-19 in hospitalized adults. A year ago, an initial phase III analysis had failed to show a statistically significant effect on the primary endpoint of 28-day all-cause mortality though there was a relative reduction in mortality in the active arm vs. placebo.
As Seagen Inc. preps for a merger, the U.S. FDA awarded accelerated approval to the company’s big-selling Padcev (enfortumab vedotin). The approval is for a combination therapy with Merck & Co. Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as a first-line treatment for adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
It’s been nearly 10 years since John Alam co-founded privately held EIP Pharma Inc. and the company’s upcoming merger with publicly traded Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. will add scientific and financial muscle to its drive for a successful Lewy body treatment. To him, dealing with groundbreaking science requires patience.
