LONDON – Delaying the second dose of Pfizer Inc./Biontech SE’s COVID-19 vaccine significantly increases the antibody response in people ages 80 to 99, compared to the approved schedule of two doses three weeks apart, according to the latest data from the U.K. coronavirus immunology consortium. Read More
Little more than two years ago, Biogen Inc. plunked down about $800 million for gene therapy developer Nightstar Therapeutics plc, which had an X-linked retinitis pigmentosa drug in its pipeline. Top-line results from the phase II/III Xirius study of cotoretigene toliparvovec (BIIB-112), administered by subretinal injection, show the one-time therapy missed its primary endpoint of producing a statistically significant improvement in the proportion of treated study eyes. Read More
Shanghai-based Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. raised $105 million in a series C financing round to move candidates, starting with an anti-CD39 antibody, into clinical studies in the U.S. The funds will also support the company’s efforts in finding new mechanisms for cancer immunotherapy and potential partners, it said. Read More
Allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T cell (AlloCAR T) specialist Allogene Therapeutics Inc.’s promise of data readouts at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, along with the virtual CD19 forum slated by the company for May 19, whetted investor thirst in the space. Read More
HONG KONG – Splisense Ltd. has closed a $28.5 million series B financing that it said will support pipeline development including its lead antisense oligonucleotide candidate, SPL84-23, for the potential treatment of cystic fibrosis. The Jerusalem-based company, which develops mRNA-altering therapies for CF and other genetic pulmonary diseases, attracted support for the round from Orbimed, Israel Biotech Fund, Biotel Ltd. and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Read More
While partnering activities reached new highs in 2020, Chinese biopharma players found it more difficult to snatch good deals in a more competitive landscape. They now need to act faster and do more preparation work to seize partnering opportunities, panelists said at the Chinabio Partnering Forum. Read More
New and updated preclinical and clinical data presented by biopharma firms at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy annual meeting, including: AGTC, Dyne, Genenta, Luye, Metagenomi, Otonomy, Regenxbio, Tessa, Ultragenyx. Read More
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Auris, Biogen, Fate, Frequency, India Globalization Capital, Regentree, Solid. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Actualeyes, Affimed, AGTC, Antengene, Arctic Vision, Atai, Compass, Intelgenx, Keros, Mdimune, Merck, Phebra, Reyon, Trigr, Wuxi. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Antengene, Astellas, Bridgebio, Creative Medical Technology, Pharmaessentia. Read More
