Zai Lab Ltd., of Shanghai, appointed Kai-Xian Chen to its board. Chen has more than 55 years of academic and administrative experience and is regarded as a pioneer in the field of interdisciplinary health care research. Read More
Hitgen Ltd., of Chengdu, China, disclosed a multiyear major drug discovery research collaboration with LG Chem Ltd., of Seoul, South Korea, to identify small-molecule leads for targets of interest. Hitgen will apply its technology platform, based on DNA-encoded library design, synthesis and screening system, to discover such leads, and will receive technology access and research support payments, plus potential milestone payments for multiple targets. Financial details were not disclosed. Read More
HONG KONG – Canbridge Life Sciences Ltd., of Beijing, said it would soon initiate a phase Ib/III clinical study of its monoclonal antibody candidate CAN-017 in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). The multicenter study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of CAN-017 in combination with chemotherapy as the second-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic ESCC. Read More
PERTH, Australia – Sydney-based Pharmaxis Ltd. announced a capital raising of A$24 million (US$17.3 million) to ready itself for another partnering play. Read More
HONG KONG – Anges Inc. has signed a co-development agreement with Vasomune Therapeutics Inc. for the global development and commercialization of therapeutics treating diseases associated with blood vessel dysfunction and destabilization. Read More
HONG KONG – South Korea's Alteogen Inc.'s trastuzumab-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ALT-P7, might face heavy competition in the breast cancer space, but the drug gained a potential leg up in gastric cancer, with the FDA awarding orphan designation. Read More
An elevated tumor mutational burden (TMB) in the blood has now demonstrated its potential as a reliable clinical biomarker for predicting the clinical efficacy of the checkpoint inhibitor Tecentriq (atezolizumab, Roche Holding AG) in treating patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a Sino-U.S. study has shown. Read More
