Akeso Pharmaceuticals Inc. has raised the bar for next-generation immuno-oncology, reporting more than 23 months median overall survival in pancreatic cancer with its PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody cadonilimab, as emerging competitors begin to post earlier signals across solid tumors at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego April 17 to 22.
Akeso Pharmaceuticals Inc. has raised the bar for next-generation immuno-oncology, reporting more than 23 months median overall survival in pancreatic cancer with its PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody cadonilimab, as emerging competitors begin to post earlier signals across solid tumors at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego April 17 to 22.
Ipsen SA is expanding its cancer portfolio with the €1 billion (US$1.16 billion) acquisition of immuno-oncology specialist Imcheck SAS, and will pay €350 million up front with the balance to come in regulatory and sales-based milestones for the lead program ICT-01.
OSE Therapeutics SA has reported positive data for lusvertikimab in a phase II trial in ulcerative colitis, boosting the monoclonal antibody’s prospects of becoming the first anti-interleukin-7 therapy to reach the market.
San Francisco-based Xyphos Biosciences Inc. is pooling technology platforms with Boston’s Kelonia Therapeutics Inc. in a novel immuno-oncology (I-O) drug discovery deal that could fetch more than $800 million. Xyphos and Kelonia will collaborate to develop a maximum of two in vivo CAR T-cell therapy programs, utilizing both Kelonia’s in vivo gene placement system called iGPS and Xyphos’ Accel technology platform.
San Francisco-based Xyphos Biosciences Inc. is pooling technology platforms with Boston’s Kelonia Therapeutics Inc. in a novel immuno-oncology (I-O) drug discovery deal that could fetch more than $800 million. Xyphos and Kelonia will collaborate to develop a maximum of two in vivo CAR T-cell therapy programs, utilizing both Kelonia’s in vivo gene placement system called iGPS and Xyphos’ Accel technology platform.
As a cytokine used in the field of immuno-oncology, interleukin-2 (IL-2) can produce durable and even complete responses in some patients, as well as induce immune memory against tumors. However, its rapid metabolism within the body means it has a short serum half-life, so it needs to be given in high doses, which can trigger severe side effects.
Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc’s launch of a phase I/IIa trial with LB-101, a PD-L1xCD47 candidate that emerged from the Lockbody platform, highlighted the firm’s efforts against solid tumors. But the diversified company has more in the works, including a registrational study with subcutaneous (subcu) Serpinpc, designed to treat hemophilia (hemo) B. Centessa has a program in narcolepsy, too.
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH has agreed to pay Covant Therapeutics Inc. $10 million for exclusive rights to the latter’s ADAR1-targeting immuno-oncology program. Under the terms of the exclusive research collaboration and worldwide licensing agreement, newly unveiled drug discovery company Covant will carry out the preclinical work in creating an ADAR1 small-molecule inhibitor, with Boehringer offering its scientific expertise to help advance the program into the clinic.
Aiming to start afresh under a new name, troubled Mei Pharma Inc. wants to merge with Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc. in an all-stock transaction that would provide the combined outfit enough cash to fund operations through mid-2025. Specifically, coffers of the newly made firm would contain about $100 million for the advancement of three oncology candidates in a pipeline led by Infinity’s phase II-stage eganelisib for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
