Two weeks after reporting positive top-line results in first-line head and neck cancer with its lead candidate, eftilagimod alfa, in combination with Merck & Co. Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Immutep Ltd. presented updated data indicating the treatment could offer a non-chemotherapy option for patients with negative PD-L1 expression. Data from cohort B of the Tacti-003 (Keynote-PNC-34) phase IIb trial, which included 31 evaluable patients with PD-L1 expression of less than 1, as measured by Combined Proportion Score, showed a 35.5% objective response rate per RECIST 1.1 assessment. Read More
The primary-endpoint win by Sensorion SA in a phase II proof-of-concept study with SENS-401 (arazasetron) in hearing loss made public March 11 brought renewed interest in the space, where a number of players are advancing gene therapies. The story marches on, with Montpellier, France-based Sensorion due to discuss the product July 13 at the International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies in Vancouver, British Columbia. Read More
Patients with congenital hearing loss could benefit from a gene therapy currently in development. Although there are approaches that could reverse the process in children and young people before it becomes severe, so far, adults do not have any treatment that prevents the progressive deterioration of auditory sensory cells caused by this disease. Read More
Biopharma deal value in June decreased to $12.82 billion, down from $18.76 billion in May, $15.28 billion in April, and $27.9 billion in January. However, total deals from January through June are trending higher than last year, with $97.09 billion raised in the first half of 2024, 10.5% more than the $87.82 billion deal value in the same period in 2023. The monthly average for 2024 deals is now $16.27 billion, slightly lower than the $18.14 billion monthly average in 2023. Read More
New company Pan Cancer T BV is preparing for a clinical trial of a next-generation T-cell receptor-engineered T cell it has designed to remove the current barriers and make T-cell therapies effective in treating solid tumors. Its products have two distinguishing features: They are targeted at antigens the company has shown are exclusively and robustly expressed by multiple solid cancers, and have a minor genetic modification that enhances the durability of autologous TCR-Ts in the tumor microenvironment after they are administered back into a patient. Read More
From no hope to viable treatments, BioWorld is there to cover the breakthroughs in medicine. Listen to Randy Osborne explain why the BioWorld team is ‘always on the lookout for what's next.’ Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Abeona, Acorda, Acuitas, Akebia, Beacon, Biontech, Cara, CSL Vifor, Curevac, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Merz, Numab, Pfizer, Yellow Jersey. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Asklepios, Ausper, Clene, Inovio, Novo Nordisk. Read More
