Immune

Biologics in development outnumber small molecules for the first time

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

More than four decades on from the approval of the first biologic drug, the industry has reached a tipping point, and biotech drugs now outnumber small molecules in the global R&D pipeline. At the start of the biotech industry, progress was slow. Between 1983 and 1995, the U.S. FDA approved an average of two biologics each year. Now, biologics have taken the lead by the smallest of margins, accounting for 50.1% of drugs in development at the start of 2026, according to the Pharma Annual Review 2026, published by Pharmaprojects, a firm that tracks global pharma R&D.

Innovent presents data on IBI-3055 for autoimmune diseases

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Innovent Biologics Inc. has presented preclinical data on IBI-3055, a trispecific T-cell engager for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This trispecific antibody targets CD19, BCMA and CD3, and features an innovative 1+1+1 T-cell engager design with CD3 masking to minimize non-specific T-cell activation.

TIPE2 silencing attenuates colitis

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2), predominantly expressed in bone marrow-derived cells or lymphoid tissues, is an essential regulator of immune homeostasis. TIPE2 acts as a key negative modulator of inflammatory signaling through the suppression of toll-like receptor (TLR) activity, with TIPE2-deficient mice exhibiting spontaneous systemic inflammation and premature death.

Invivyd unveils measles monoclonal antibody candidate VMS-063

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Invivyd Inc. has announced the discovery and advancement of VMS-063, a novel monoclonal antibody candidate for the treatment and prevention of measles.

DXP 006 reduces disease severity in psoriasis models

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Singlomics Zhuhai Danxu Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. presented DXP-006, a humanized antibody targeting IL1RAP, a shared co receptor required for IL 1, IL 33 and IL 36 cytokines.

Biologics in development outnumber small molecules for the first time

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

More than four decades on from the approval of the first biologic drug, the industry has reached a tipping point, and biotech drugs now outnumber small molecules in the global R&D pipeline.

Milestone under Cue and Boehringer Ingelheim collaboration

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Cue Biopharma Inc. has reached a preclinical milestone in its collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, following the latter’s selection of a first compound for lead optimization. The milestone triggers a $7.5 million payment to Cue.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine provides broad-spectrum protection

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) and collaborating institutions reportedd the design of a next-generation mRNA vaccine that leverages a phylogenetically informed consensus receptor binding domain heterotrimers representing the major variant lineages.

Hangzhou Innogate Pharma and Innorace Biopharma report new cGAS inhibitors

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Hangzhou Innogate Pharma Co. Ltd. and Innorace Biopharma Co. Ltd. have identified new cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (MB21D1; cGAS) inhibitors that are potentially useful for the treatment of Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and more.

Simcere’s rademikibart meets phase III endpoints in atopic dermatitis

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s monoclonal antibody, rademikibart (CBP-201), met the primary endpoint in a Chinese phase III study in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Galapagos enters new era as Lakefront after reshaping Gilead alliance

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Galapagos NV is about to bury its recent turbulent past and sail off for the future with its $3 billion cash pile and the new name of Lakefront Biotherapeutics NV. The foundation for the transition was laid earlier this month in an arrangement with Gilead Sciences Inc., holder of 25% of Galapagos’ equity, to “co-parent” the assets of Ouro Medicines LLC, which Gilead is acquiring for up to $2.17 billion.

Nimbus Salacia patents new SIK2 inhibitors

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Nimbus Salacia Inc. has disclosed new serine/threonine-protein kinase SIK2 (QIK) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and skin hyperpigmentation, among others.

Infinimmune presents preclinical data on anti-IL-22 antibody for atopic dermatitis

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Infinimmune Inc. has recently presented results at the annual American Academy of Dermatology conference regarding their anti-IL-22 antibody IFX-101 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Antitumoral antibodies cross the BBB and alter brain signaling

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Certain cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer, produce antibodies that, although they help fight the tumor, can cross the blood-brain barrier and alter the function of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) in the brain, which are essential for neuronal signaling. Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have identified their origin and described how this process is linked to the maturation of these antibodies, which can activate or inhibit the receptor, causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms.

Molecular signatures show subtypes in neurodegenerative diseases

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder best known for its motor symptoms. However, a proportion of patients also develop dementia as the condition advances. Yet the biological divide between those who experience this cognitive decline and those who do not has remained an open question. Are they different conditions or simply stages of the same disease?

EMA to withdraw approval for Siga’s tecovirimat in treating mpox

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

As expected, the EMA is recommending withdrawal of the mpox indication for Siga Technologies Inc.’s tecovirimat, whilst maintaining its approval as a treatment for smallpox, cowpox and adverse reactions to vaccinia vaccines.

FDA approves Rocket’s Kresladi as first gene therapy for LAD-I

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In a win for the rare disease space, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval for Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Kresladi (marnetegragene autotemcel) as the first gene therapy option for treating severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I (LAD-I), an ultrarare genetic immune disorder characterized by an immunodeficiency predisposing those affected to recurrent and fatal infections.

Novartis buying allergy firm Excellergy for $2B

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Just five months after raising a $70 million series A round, newly launched Excellergy Inc. agreed to a $2 billion M&A transaction that would bring its trifunctional allergic effector cell response inhibitors (ECRIs) to Novartis AG.

Multibody TEV‘325 achieves preclinical milestone

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Biolojic Design Ltd. has earned an additional milestone payment from its collaboration partner, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., for TEV‘325 (TEV-56308, formerly BD-9), a multibody targeting IL-13 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) for autoimmune disease

Single-dose mRNA vaccine elicits superior anti-VZV immunity in mice

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Chengdu Kanghua Biological Products Co. Ltd. recently published information on their novel varicella zoster virus (VZV) mRNA vaccine candidate (KH014). KH014 contains sequence-optimized mRNAs encoding full-length glycoprotein E encapsulated in ionizable lipid nanoparticles.

Imbiologics crosses $1B market cap with Kosdaq debut