China’s NMPA has granted emergency use authorization for two COVID-19 vaccines as boosters, Cansino Biologics Inc.’s inhaled vaccine Convidecia Air and Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc.’s recombinant protein vaccine. Convidecia Air is an aerosolized adenovirus type 5 vector-based vaccine. It is the first inhaled COVID-19 vaccine to be approved globally, according to Cansino. Read More
Sinocelltech Group Ltd. has received marketing approval for its recombinant chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, ripertamab (SCT-400), from China’s NMPA to treat patients with CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The country’s first homegrown anti-CD20 therapy, ripertamab has been shown to have similar efficacy to global blockbuster rituximab but with a superior safety profile. Read More
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has raised HK$471.1 million (US$60 million) in net proceeds through an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Sept. 1. It plans to use about three-quarters of the proceeds to advance clinical trials of two of its core anticancer candidates, YH-003 and YH-001. Company shares (HKEX:2315), initially offered at HK$25.22 each, closed at HK$26 on their first trading day. Read More
Investments in early stage biotech companies were in focus at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s (HKEX) Biotech Summit 2022. The virtual event on Sept. 1 saw discussions centered on this investment trend for younger biotech firms, which looks to be where capital is headed in the sector after a cooldown for listings in Chinese stock markets in the first half of 2022. Read More
The University of Sydney is investing AU$478 million (US$326.5 million) to build a leading biomedical precinct to fast-track research and shorten the time between discovery and development of transformative therapies. Read More
China has upheld a recent ruling on a dispute between Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Wenzhou Haihe Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. over a generic form of an osteoporosis treatment. The move is seen as an indicator that patent protection for drugs has improved in China. Read More
After raising AU$2.2 million in its series A round, University of Western Australia spinout Lixa Pty Ltd. has emerged from stealth mode and is gearing up for clinical trials of its anti-biofilm platform technology that could preserve antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Read More
Taiwan’s Brim Biotechnology Inc. announced a capital raise of $18 million to advance its lead candidate, regenerative peptide therapy BRM-421, to phase III trials for dry eye syndrome. Read More
Clinical updates from Asia, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Aivita Biomedical, Clover, Hightide, Kinarus, Redcloud, Sirnaomics, Valneva, Vaxart. Read More
Biopharma happenings in Asia-Pacific, such as deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Acorda, Asieris, Bridge, Celsion, Finch, Helsinn Healthcare, Juniper Biologics, Pfizer, Sanyou, Shanghai Kangabio, Takeda. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific: Aston Sci, Astrazeneca, Biocytogen, Biontech, Daiichi Sankyo, Innocare, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer, Pharmazz, Stemcyte, Tracon, United. Read More
