BEIJING – There was encouraging news when vaccine developer Moderna Inc. announced Feb. 24 that it has shipped the first vials of its mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 for a phase I trial in the U.S. The vaccine was created just 42 days after the genetic sequence of the COVID-19 virus was released. Read More
BEIJING – While repurposing drugs may be a quick solution to an epidemic like COVID-19 that has a limited research window, it’s just luck as to whether an already available drug candidate exists for newly emergent diseases. Experts say it’s more realistic to develop better drugs instead of attempting to repurpose old ones. Read More
DUBLIN – Could a recombinant human protein drug rejected by Glaxosmithkline plc in 2019 benefit patients with COVID-19 infection? Apeiron Biologics AG disclosed Wednesday Feb. 26 that an investigator-initiated pilot study of APN-01 is getting underway in Guangzhou, China. Read More
In a flurry of catch-up following the coronavirus outbreak in China, a number of biopharma companies have announced development within the last few weeks to address the ever-spreading infection known as COVID-19. Read More
LONDON – The EU launched a “Corona” response team, bringing together oversight of all the separate strands put in place to control the virus, as the infection spread to 18 of 27 member states, with 2,100 confirmed cases and 31 deaths. Read More
HONG KONG – Tessa Therapeutics Pte Ltd.’s CD30 CAR T-cell therapy has been granted a regenerative medicine advanced therapy designation by the U.S. FDA based on data from two independent phase I/II trials. Read More
PERTH, Australia – Immutep Ltd. reported positive interim data for its phase II basket trial in non-small-cell lung cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for its lead immunotherapy in combination with Merck & Co. Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Read More
PERTH, Australia – With the Brexit split now official, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is trying to figure out the impact to its life sciences industry and the new trade relationships that will take effect after the transition period ends. Read More
HONG KONG – MBD Co. Ltd. and Azothbio Inc., both based in South Korea, have entered an agreement for rare cancer drug development using an AI-powered drug discovery platform. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific, including: Kyowa Kirin, Noxopharm, Shionogi, Takeda, Tessa, Ultragenyx. Read More
