Merck KGaA is exercising its option for a global license to commercialize Abbisko Therapeutics Co. Ltd.’s pimicotinib for $85 million. As previously reported by BioWorld, Abbisko out-licensed China rights to its colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, pimicotinib, to Merck in a deal worth up to $605.5 million in December 2023. Read More
After announcing that lead candidate sozinibercept (OPT-302) failed the phase III Coast trial in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Opthea has now decided to close the Coast trial as well as the Shore trial. As reported by BioWorld, Opthea announced last week that it was considering its options after lead candidate sozinibercept (OPT-302) failed the phase III Coast trial in wet AMD. Read More
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc. filed its BLA with the U.S. FDA for sibeprenlimab to treat immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The company’s first BLA, sibeprenlimab is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that selectively inhibits the activity of APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) in adults with IgAN. Read More
Australia’s top universities are looking more to Asia for research collaborations following threats from the Trump administration to stop funding research at institutions that don’t comply with U.S. narratives. Read More
Transplanting an animal organ into a human is now a closer reality following the successful xenotransplantation of a genetically modified pig liver into a patient diagnosed with brain death in China. The operation was intended to evaluate organ function over a 10-day period. This is a complex experimental trial that did not involve removing the patient's liver and still requires further study. However, the positive preclinical results suggest this strategy could save the lives of those waiting for a human organ, at least in certain cases. Read More
It was a mixed day for Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., which disclosed separately on March 28 both the termination of a $336 million licensing deal with CS Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and upbeat plans to unveil three new oncology assets at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research in April. Read More
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Reborna Biosciences Inc. to generate RNA-targeting novel small molecules in the field of the central nervous system. Read More
The biopharma sector is still trying to get its wind and resume its once-powerful investment ways. Medical technology has sidestepped much of biopharma’s issues by being more flexible along the development path, according to BioWorld MedTech Editor Annette Boyle in this edition of the podcast. Boyle described the current financing climate on the newest BioWorld Insider podcast and explained why the sector is performing well year to date.
Clinical updates from Asia, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Akeso, Genelux, Merck, Opthea, Ractigen. Read More
Biopharma happenings in Asia-Pacific including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Aadi, Alumis, GV20, Kaken, Mitsubishi, Whitehawk. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations in Asia-Pacific: Accuredit, Cstone, Junshi, Kelun-Biotech, Merck, Mirum, Nature Cell, Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Sungen Biomedical. Read More
