To build on its hematology pipeline in treating blood cancers, Astrazeneca plc is acquiring Teneotwo Inc. in a deal that could reach $1.27 billion. Teneotwo is part of Ancora Biotech LLC, which has some other affiliate Tens in the stable, including Teneofour Inc. That company is developing TNB-738, an anti-CD38 enzyme inhibitor. Teneoten Inc. is developing an anti-HBV/CD3 therapy. Both are available for partnering or sale, Ben Buelow, Ancora co-founder, told BioWorld. He co-founded the company with this father, Roland. Read More
European biotechnology firms engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutics raised up to $2.15 billion in disclosed equity transactions during the second quarter, a drop of 36% on the same period of 2021. The closure of the IPO window was a major factor in the decline, but the completion of two sizeable special purpose acquisition company deals made up some of the shortfall. Listed firms raised slightly more in Q2 2022 than they did in the same period last year. Venture capital, although the single biggest source of equity funding during the quarter, was also down on the same period last year. Read More
The Hail Mary pass by Syros Pharmaceuticals Inc. – shares of which have dwindled severely since Jan. 3 – foreseen by some on Wall Street, came in the form of a $130 million financing and the merger with Tyme Technologies Inc., bringing in-house pipeline assets as well as net cash in a deal that, after accounting for wind-down and transaction expenses, is worth about $60 million. Read More
After filing patents on a decades-old antipsychotic, Aneurotech BV is laying plans for a U.S. phase IIIb trial of the drug as an adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder. The study will assess the effects of ANT-01, a low dose of pipamperone, a selective antagonist of both the serotonin 5-HT2A and D4 dopamine receptors, which has been on the market in some countries in Europe and elsewhere for more than 40 years. Read More
Akeso Inc. has been given the green light by China’s NMPA for its PD-1/CTLA-4 antibody Kaitanni (cadonilimab), which was approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed or metastatic cervical cancer whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Read More
Curevac NV has filed a patent lawsuit against fellow German mRNA pioneer Biontech SE claiming that the latter firm’s COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, infringes its intellectual property. Read More
A U.S. federal jury breathed new life into so-called pay-for-delay settlements when it found that a 2010 agreement between Endo International plc and Impax Laboratories LLC was procompetitive as it allowed Impax to launch its generic version of Opana ER, an opioid pain drug, before key patents expired. Read More
The U.S. FDA is hailing two revised draft guidances it released July 5 as “critical steps” toward implementing the electronic drug tracing requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Aurigene, Astria, Brii, Enochian, Eqrx, Vir. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Genmab, Hyloris, Novartis, Nrx, Provention. Read More
