The “showdown” at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting foreseen by one analyst between breast cancer drugs from Gilead Sciences Inc. and Astrazeneca plc with partner Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. didn’t quite materialize. Or the showdown happened, but turned out more nuanced than a one-to-one, high-noon gunfight on Main Street. Gilead ended considerable suspense June 4 by offering at ASCO phase III data from the Tropics-02 study with Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan), expectations for which already had grown lukewarm. Astrazeneca and Daiichi dazzled the next-day meeting with phase III data from the Destiny-Breast04 (DB04) study with Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan). Read More
After weeks of mounting speculation by backers of Gilead Sciences Inc., data from the phase III Tropics-02 study testing Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) vs. physicians’ choice of chemotherapy rolled out June 4 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago. Wall Street had hoped for better. Read More
Could Merus NV be on course to get the fourth “tumor agnostic” drug approved, a groundbreaking approach to cancer that focuses on mutations rather than location of the disease? According to a trial update revealed at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference the biotech from Utrecht, the Netherlands, could join Merck & Co Inc., Bayer AG/Eli Lilly and Co. and Roche Holding AG with its early-to-mid stage candidate, zenocutuzumab. Read More
Following a negative phase II/III study of an investigational treatment for major depressive disorder, Praxis Precision Medicines Inc. is dropping staff from the payroll and refocusing the company’s resources on tremor and epilepsy. The Aria study of PRAX-114, a positive allosteric modulator extrasynaptic GABA receptor, missed its primary endpoint, statistical significance as measured on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. It also missed the study’s secondary endpoints. Read More
Five-year survival rates for people with metastatic colorectal cancer haven’t budged much in recent decades but new data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference pushed the boundary enough to be notable. Read More
Luca Science Inc. has raised $30.3 million in an oversubscribed series B financing, enabling it to advance a mitochondria replacement therapy toward the clinic. The company is planning a phase Ib trial in myocardial infarction, in which 8 to 12 patients will receive injections of mitochondria immediately after having a heart attack. Read More
Building on years of informal collaboration, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said they plan to measure and improve cancer care an equity gap of cancer care around the world. Read More
As multidisciplinary care extends survival and improves the quality of life for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can a host of new ALS drugs vying to slow its progression make a difference? Join the BioWorld Insider podcast as we discuss what the future of medicine may hold for ALS patients. Read More
New hires and promotions in the biopharma industry, including: Amarin, Ambrx, Gilead, Iconovir, Immune, Mirum, Sionna, Third Harmonic, Xortx. Read More
New and updated preclinical and clinical data presented by biopharma firms at the American Diabetes Association's 82nd Scientific Sessions, including: Biomea, Eli Lilly, Gelesis, Vtv. Read More
New and updated preclinical and clinical data presented by biopharma firms at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, including: Bicara, G1, Intensity, Janssen, Kazia, Oncxerna, PTC. Read More
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Acelyrin, Affibody, Alx, Aurinia, Biogen, Biothera, Incannex, Inmagene, Intercept, Merck, Nicox, Novo Nordisk, Olix, Sorrento, Tranquis. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Adelia, Alectos, Alvotech, Amarin, Argenx, Biogen, Cybin, Eureka, Janssen, J&J, Kineta, Medison, Oaktree, Ovid, Sparrow, Tetra, Yumanity. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Amylyx, Applied, J Ints, Legend. Read More