After failing to meet primary safety and efficacy endpoints in a phase I/II trial for stroke, Teijin Ltd. and JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. have terminated a co-development and Japan licensing agreement to develop JTR-161, an allogeneic regenerative candidate containing dental pulp stem cells. Read More
South Korean companies Ubix Therapeutics Inc. and SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. are partnering to develop targeted protein degradation cancer therapies. Read More
Backed by fresh phase III data showing a combination of the IDH1 gene inhibitor Tibsovo (ivosidenib) and azacitidine significantly improved event-free survival and overall survival for adults with previously untreated IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) vs. azacitidine alone, Cstone Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. is working to bring the treatment to Chinese AML patients “as soon as possible,” a spokesperson told BioWorld. Read More
Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc. inked an exclusive in-license agreement for Shaperon Inc.’s G protein-coupled receptor 19 (GPCR19) agonist, BBT-209, a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Bridge will pay Shaperon ₩2 billion (US$1.63 million) up front. The potential deal value, which includes up-front, milestone, and royalty payments, is ₩30 billion. Read More
Genequantum Healthcare Co. Ltd. will work with Aimedbio Inc. to co-develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to treat brain and other cancers, working toward an IND filing in 2023. Aimedbio will focus on antibody development, while Genequantum will work on linker-payload development. “Since we have a plan to market and sell the product globally, we will conduct a phase I clinical trial in the U.S., Australia, South Korea, and China as a priority,” Do-Hyun Nam, founder, chairman, and chief technology officer of Aimedbio, told BioWorld. Read More
Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. reported that ARCT-154, its self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, showed efficacy of 55% against infection and 95% efficacy against severe disease, meeting the primary and key secondary endpoints of the ongoing phase I/II/III trial. While the company’s stock (NASDAQ:ARCT) regained much of its initial 25% drop to close the day, investors continue to await further data to determine where Arcturus’ vaccine will fit in with available COVID-19 vaccines. Read More
Biopharmas in Asia-Pacific raising money in public or private financings: Biotech Group Acquisition, Hillevax, Oncoquest, Quest Pharmatech, Takeda. Read More
Clinical updates from Asia, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Arcturus, Astrazeneca, Beigene, Clover, Emergex Vaccines, Moderna, Novartis, Novavax, Revive, Takeda, TFF, Urovant Sciences. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific: Astrazeneca, Bayer, Beigene, Daiichi Sankyo, Direct Biologics, Dragonboat, JW, Keymed, Lynk, Navidea, Novartis, Novavax, Nrx, Orion, Ribomic, Serum Institute of India, Takeda. Read More
