https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us The nomination of Erica Schwartz as the next director of the U.S. CDC moved incrementally forward, gaining the support of a key Republican senator. Meanwhile, a delay in the scheduled committee vote July 23 to send her nomination to the Senate floor suggested she will need all the support she can get. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732854 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732854-schwartz-picks-up-critical-support-on-path-to-cdc-confirmation Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy In a brief session Thursday, Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy said he would vote to confirm Erica Schwartz as CDC director. Credit: help.senate.gov Scoring high marks on two more phase III obesity trials, this time involving serious type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications, Eli Lilly and Co. has cleared the path for a BLA filing for its triple-G candidate retatrutide, which many expect will eventually surpass the top two marketed drugs in the space. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732852 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732852-lillys-triple-g-retatrutide-best-in-class-as-bla-filing-nears Feet on scale South Korea is moving ahead with its biggest reform of drug review and pricing in more than a decade, reflecting a wider shift across Asian markets to reward innovation and tighten controls on generics. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732585 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732585-korea-targets-generics-innovation-in-drug-pricing-overhaul Generic drugs and bottle Shanghai Escugen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has disclosed new antibody-drug conjugates comprising chimeric monoclonal antibodies targeting CD174 (Lewis y) covalently linked to a cytotoxic drug. They are potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732889 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732889-shanghai-escugen-biotechnology-patents-adcs-targeting-cd174 Tikva Allocell Pte. Ltd. has closed an $8 million series A financing to support its development of engineered, allogeneic cell therapies for adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732882 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732882-series-a-financing-at-tikva-allocell-to-advance-tavst-01 CAR T cell attacking cancer cells Illustration of CAR T cell attacking cancer cells. Credit: La Jolla Institute Abera Bioscience AB has announced, together with clinical partner Radboud University Medical Center, the submission of a clinical trial application in the Netherlands to initiate a phase I trial of its serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidate AB-01.12. Abera Bioscience AB has announced, together with clinical partner Radboud University Medical Center, the submission of a clinical trial application in the Netherlands to initiate a phase I trial of its serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidate AB-01.12.

]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732881 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732881-abera-seeks-clinical-trial-clearance-for-ab-0112 Streptococcus pneumoniae in lungs Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), naturally released by gram-negative bacteria, are promising platforms for mucosal vaccines due to their immunostimulatory properties and ability to display antigens. Abera Bioscience AB previously developed an OMV platform using genetically engineered bacteria with covalent antigen decoration via Spycatcher/Tag technology. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732880 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732880-intranasal-vaccine-platform-induces-immunity-against-influenza Influenza virus Influenza virus. Credit: CDC/ Douglas Jordan Evogene Ltd. and Eleo Inc. have established a strategic scientific collaboration to discover and develop next-generation oral small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PCSK9 pathway for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732878 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732878-evogene-and-eleo-collaborate-to-discover-pcsk9-pathway-inhibitors Heart with blocked arteries Mentari Therapeutics Inc. has announced a $200 million private placement to support continued development of its pipeline of targeted biologics for migraine. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732877 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732877-mentari-therapeutics-raises-funds-to-support-migraine-pipeline Brain maze Insilico Medicine Cayman Topco has nominated ISM-9528 as a preclinical candidate for pain management. ISM-9528 targets an undisclosed novel mechanism to offer a brain-penetrant, orally available, non-opioid treatment option for pain. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732876 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732876-insilico-medicine-nominates-ism-9528-as-candidate-analgesic The HIV vaccine field is increasingly focusing on inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that can recognize the virus’s genetic diversity. Recent experimental approaches include germline-targeting vaccines, sequential immunization strategies, mRNA-based immunogens, and nanoparticle platforms displaying engineered HIV envelope (Env) trimers. Several studies published in 2025 and 2026 how these designs guide antibody maturation in humans and generate broad neutralizing responses in nonhuman primates, although no HIV vaccine has yet demonstrated protective efficacy in large clinical trials. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732875 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732875-developing-an-hiv-vaccine-one-small-step-at-a-time HIV particles emerging from an infected T cell About a week after closing its $10.6 billion acquisition of Nuvalent Inc., GSK plc has reaped the first reward, announcing U.S. FDA approval of zidesamtinib in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Branded Jideytro, the ROS1 selective inhibitor is indicated for use in adults with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive disease who have received a prior ROS1 kinase inhibitor. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732912 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:11:35 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732912-gsks-newly-acquired-jideytro-wins-fda-nod-in-nsclc Lung cancer illustration After languishing on the U.S. Senate floor for more than a year, the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S. 1041) finally got a unanimous vote July 21 and is now on its way to the House, again. Aimed at reining in patent thickets, the bill limits the number of patents a biologics sponsor can assert against a biosimilar when engaging in the voluntary “patent dance” laid out in the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. The number is no more than 20 patents, a limit the bill’s bipartisan sponsors called “reasonable.” http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732765 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732765-us-senate-greenlights-bill-to-tame-biologic-patent-thickets U.S. Capitol building When it comes to the U.S. biopharma sector tariff, generic drug companies have had a question mark dangling over their tariff-free ride ever since President Donald Trump first started promising, or threatening, the tariff last year. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732764 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732764-trump-generic-drugs-to-be-subject-to-tariffs-in-2028 White tablets spilling out of white bottle, blue background Wall Street is sifting data to figure out what Celldex Inc.’s phase II failure with KIT inhibitor barzolvolimab (barzo) in prurigo nodularis (PN) might mean for the upcoming phase III readout with the same drug in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732762 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732762-drum-kit-celldex-csu-rhythm-still-on-post-barzo-pn-phase-ii Person scratching arm Once again, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Redemplo (plozasiran) is hot on the heels of Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Tryngolza (olezarsen). Less than a month after the latter gained U.S. FDA approval for use in severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG), Arrowhead reported positive top-line results from its phase III studies in sHTG, with findings described by one analyst as “best-case scenario,” setting the stage for a supplemental NDA filing with the FDA before year-end. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732761 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732761-arrowhead-rises-on-phase-iii-hypertriglyceridemia-readout Artery, blood cells, triglycerides Kolon Tissuegene Inc.’s TG-C, an allogeneic cell and gene therapy candidate for knee osteoarthritis (OA), missed both co-primary endpoints and all key secondary endpoints in a highly anticipated top-line phase III clinical trial readout. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732754 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732754-kolon-tissuegene-shares-fall-as-tg-c-misses-knee-oa-endpoints 3D illustration of knee joint Verismo Therapeutics Inc. has reported a new preclinical KIR-CAR program targeting the Claudin 6 (CLDN6) antigen to treat CLDN6-expressing solid tumors. The program is built around a CLDN6-directed binder discovered at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine through a Verismo-sponsored research agreement. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732824 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732824-verismo-unveils-cldn6-targeting-kir-car-program Dividing cancer cells in the cross hairs In a rapid-fire voting session, the U.S. House suspended the rules July 20 to pass, by voice vote, a slate of bipartisan health bills ranging from reducing animal testing in drug development to clarifying Medicare coverage of wheelchairs. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732753 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732753-bipartisan-health-bills-get-passing-vote-in-us-house U.S. flag, stethoscope The decision by Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. to end work with next-generation oral pyruvate kinase activator tebapivat in sickle cell disease (SCD) put pressure on the company’s first-generation Pyrukynd (mitapivat) and left Novo Nordisk A/S in pole position as the firm advances etavopivat toward an approval bid in the second half of this year. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732751 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732751-agios-phase-ii-tebapivat-splats-in-scd-pyrukynd-top-of-mind Sickle cell disease 3D illustration Another day, another two multibillion-dollar deals with Asian companies, this time involving Dizal Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and its EGFR inhibitor for lung cancer, as well as Innovent Biologics Inc. and its anti-CD40L antibody for a chronic fibroinflammatory condition. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732844 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732844-asia-deal-flurry-draws-az-spero-to-1b-dizal-innovent-assets Global deals illustration Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has taken a new step in the evolution of China’s “newco” strategy, combining its newly created U.S. company, Avere Therapeutics Inc., with Nasdaq-listed Nextcure Inc. in a deal designed less to merge pipelines than to create a public vehicle for global development of a China-originated asset. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732843 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732843-hansoh-takes-newco-route-to-globalize-il-23-asset Glass globe with documents and pen Signs of recovery are emerging in the biotechnology investment sector, although investors across Asia say that capital is flowing selectively to companies that can demonstrate clinical differentiation, strong management teams and a clear path to commercialization. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732842 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732842-capital-remains-selective-in-barbell-biotech-market International currency symbols Advancell Co. Ltd. has raised an oversubscribed $315 million series D round to accelerate its push to become a fully integrated global radiopharma developer, funding late-stage clinical development alongside isotope supply and manufacturing infrastructure. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732841 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732841-advancell-raises-315m-to-power-global-isotope-strategy Philina Lee, CEO, Advancell Advancell CEO Philina Lee (left). Credit: Advancell Co. Ltd. The field of cell and gene therapy is moving toward a new phase of scalability and clinical durability, with in vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapeutics emerging as the dark horse in what speakers at BIO Asia-Taiwan 2026 described as CAR T’s second revolution. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732840 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732840-to-viral-or-not-to-viral-in-vivo-car-t-debates-delivery-tech Red CAR T cell on blue blackground The field of cell and gene therapy is moving toward a new phase of scalability and clinical durability, with in vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapeutics emerging as the dark horse in what speakers at BIO Asia-Taiwan 2026 described as CAR T’s second revolution. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732839 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732839-to-viral-or-not-to-viral-in-vivo-car-t-debates-delivery-tech Red CAR T cell on blue blackground Mediboston Biologics Co. Ltd. has disclosed new antibody-drug conjugates comprising an antibody or antigen-binding fragment covalently linked to a camptothecin derivative potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732819 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732819-mediboston-biologics-patents-new-antibody-drug-conjugates Breezebio Inc. (formerly Genedit Inc.) has entered into a joint research agreement with Ligachem Biosciences Inc. to develop innovative cancer vaccine therapies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732806 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732806-breezebio-and-ligachem-partner-on-cancer-vaccine-research Vaccine vial and syringe Akari Therapeutics plc has established a strategic research collaboration with Whitehawk Therapeutics Inc. to conduct preclinical studies evaluating Akari’s proprietary PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload technology in combination with Whitehawk’s topoisomerase I inhibitor antibody-drug conjugate platform. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732803 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732803-akari-and-whitehawk-collaborate-on-adc-research Scientists shaking hands in the lab Investigators at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have demonstrated that in the liver, some endothelial cells (ECs) acted as antigen-presenting cells of sorts. These lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-expressing cells cross-presented tumor antigens on their surface, alerting T cells to the presence of metastases. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732779 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732779-vascular-endothelial-cells-can-present-tumor-antigens Illustration of tumor