Top-line results from a phase III study of Aldeyra Therapeutics Inc.'s aldehyde-trapping reproxalap in allergic conjunctivitis showed two different concentrations of the drug driving statistically significant reductions in ocular itching vs. placebo. The outcome, which carried company shares (NASDAQ:ALDX) 36 percent higher to $9.71 Tuesday, put Aldeyra on track to advance what president and CEO Todd Brady said could potentially provide a new treatment option for the third of people who, without gaining relief from antihistamines, have to resort to topical corticosteroids. Once the company consults with regulators, another phase III study in allergic conjunctivitis could start as soon as the second half of this year. Read More
HONG KONG – Legochem Biosciences Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have entered into a research collaboration and license agreement to develop antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in immuno-oncology, a follow-up to their deal in 2017 to evaluate the potential of next-generation ADC candidates based on Legochem's ADC linker and conjugation technology platform, Conjuall. Read More
LONDON – A first of its kind study will delve into the genomics of ancient humans in a bid to trace the evolutionary origins of modern-day diseases. Read More
A House subcommittee Wednesday will mark up several bills that would legislate around the edges in an effort to lower U.S. prescription drug prices, moving the bills closer to the possibility of becoming law. Read More
VIENNA – Data flowing out of the BIO Europe Spring conference have underscored the significance of U.S. in the global biopharma market. During Monday's plenary session, figures showed U.S. venture capital reached a whopping $12.4 billion in 2018, compared to $2.6 billion and $2.4 billion in Europe and Asia, respectively, while Nasdaq remains the listing of choice. During a panel Tuesday, moderator Johannes Roebers, founder and CEO of Cilatus Biopharma Consulting AG, also pointed to an innovation edge, with U.S.-headquartered firms developing nearly half – 46.5 percent – of biologic molecules currently in development globally. The lead is even greater when looking at new modalities such as gene and cell therapy, with U.S. firms developing 54 percent. Read More
VIENNA – A certain amount of abstraction is hard to avoid at events like BIO Europe. At this week's meeting there's been no shortage of panels populated with old and wise big pharma executives and grizzled venture capital investors grandly pronouncing on the 'dos and don'ts' of partnering and deal-making. The onus, it seems, is always on the junior partner, which must learn to dance to the bigger partner's tune. Read More
Sana Biotechnology Inc., which launched in January, has struck a license agreement with Harvard University's Office of Technology Development to produce hypoimmunogenic stem cells that can be transplanted into patients and not trigger immune rejection. Sana, a regenerative medicine company founded by former Juno Therapeutics Inc. execs Hans Bishop and Steve Harr, focuses on creating engineered cells as medicine for patients. Read More
Enamine Ltd., of Kiev, Ukraine, and Copenhagen-based H. Lundbeck A/S expanded a research collaboration in which Enamine is supporting Lundbeck's in-house discovery. In addition to leveraging Enamine's library of screening compounds and its on-demand REAL compounds platform, the Ukrainian company will increase the number of full-time chemists it dedicates to Lundbeck, it said. Read More
Oragenics Inc., of Tampa, Fla., said it closed its underwritten public offering of 16.66 million shares, short-term warrants to purchase up to 8.33 million shares, and long-term warrants to purchase up to 8.33 million shares, at $0.75 per share and accompanying warrants. The company expects to receive gross proceeds of approximately $12.5 million from the offering. Read More
