Resolution Therapeutics Ltd. is preparing for a phase I/II trial of its autologous engineered macrophage cell therapy, RTX-001, in the treatment of end-stage liver disease and has raised £63.5 million (US$83.3 million) to complete the study and to add further fibrotic and inflammatory disease programs to its portfolio. Recruitment to the study, to be conducted at 15 sites in Spain and the U.K., is due to start before the end of 2024, with the monocyte-derived patient macrophages being processed and modified at a facility in Edinburgh. Read More
Dark genome miner Enara Bio Ltd. has closed a $32.5 million series B that will see the lead program targeting the first of a novel class of cancer antigens it has discovered through to the clinic. Enara calls these cancer antigens “dark antigens” (the name is trademarked). It says they can be found in solid tumors irrespective of the immune phenotype, and are often expressed at high prevalence across multiple different tumors. Read More
Engene Holdings Inc.’s recent disclosure of pivotal phase II data with nonviral gene therapy detalimogene voraplasmid (also known as detalimogene, and previously as EG-70) – along with a planned protocol refinement – added intrigue to the non-muscle invasive bladder cancer space, which continues to percolate. Read More
Round 2 of the U.S. Medicare price negotiations officially began late Oct. 2 with CMS’ release of its final playbook and timeline, which build on lessons learned from the first round and comments on a draft negotiations guidance that was published in May. In response to the feedback CMS received, the second round will allow for more patient-focused sessions and offer increased engagement with the makers of the drugs selected for negotiations. Read More
South San Francisco-based Septerna Inc. filed an S-1 with the U.S. SEC to conduct an IPO on Nasdaq about two years and eight months after launching operations with a $100 million series A led by Third Rock Ventures. The company is focused on G protein-coupled receptor oral small molecules derived from its Native Complex Platform, aimed at treating diseases within the endocrinology, immunology and inflammation, and metabolic diseases realms. Read More
Linda Marbán, CEO of Capricor Therapeutics Inc., discusses deramiocel (CAP-1002), the company’s allogeneic cardiac-derived cell therapy, for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The company just wrapped up a visit with the U.S. FDA and is prepping to file a BLA for its treatment of the rare disease. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Biotheus, Eliem, Emergex, Frazier, Gilead, Immunoprecise, Intelgenx, J&J, Novaliq, Verrica. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Laboratoires Thea, Novaliq, Volastra. Read More
