Immune

Death in Chinese gene-editing trial exposes ethical fault lines

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The death of a 6-year-old girl after receiving an experimental brain-directed gene-editing therapy at the Xinhua Hospital in Shanghai has reopened debate over how regulators should oversee first-in-human personalized gene therapies.

AIDS 2026: Engineering adaptive NK cells against HIV

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Immune-based strategies to achieve HIV remission are increasingly focusing on ways to boost the body’s ability to control persistent viral reservoirs. Among these approaches, natural killer (NK) cells could be genetically engineered to enhance their ability to recognize and eliminate HIV-infected cells and overcome viral evasion mechanisms. Researchers discussed this emerging strategy at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026).

Taisho licenses Japanese rights to Kaigene’s KG-006

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Kaigene Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for the exclusive development and commercialization of Kaigene’s next-generation human neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) inhibitor, KG-006, in Japan.

Create Medicines’ CRT-402 cleared to enter clinic in Australia

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Create Medicines Inc. has received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval in Australia to initiate a first-in-human study of CRT-402, the company’s lead in vivo CAR T candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

J&J Sails away, Legend left at altar; $2.58B buyout ahead?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The hot in vivo CAR T therapy space bubbled with news again as Johnson & Johnson (J&J) apparently forsook partner Legend Biotech Corp. and tapped Sail Biomedicines Inc. for a collaboration that will help advance the lead immune-mediated disease program as well as the broader platform technology, in a tie-up that brings incentives to expand the application of Sail's platform across more targets later.

Abcellera and Vertex partner on TCEs for autoimmune diseases

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Abcellera Biologics Inc. has established a collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize multispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) for autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

Sail Biomedicines and J&J partner on in vivo CAR T therapies

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Sail Biomedicines Inc. has established a strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to advance innovative in vivo CAR T therapies for immune-mediated diseases.

AIDS 2026: Engineering adaptive NK cells against HIV

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

AIDS 2026: New targets for metabolic dysfunction despite ART

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress HIV to undetectable levels, a growing body of evidence suggests that the virus leaves a lasting biological imprint. At the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026), researchers reported persistent abnormalities affecting the gut, cardiovascular system, metabolism and immune function despite effective viral control.

Taiwan biotech looks outward in next phase of growth

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Taiwan’s biotechnology sector was built around domestic health needs, including vaccines and drug manufacturing, but it is increasingly looking outward – to international partnerships, licensing, clinical development and a bigger role in the global biomedical ecosystem.

New schizophrenia targets challenge trial design

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The search for better schizophrenia therapies is moving beyond dopamine toward a growing number of experimental targets. According to researchers, the repeated failures of some late-stage programs may reflect not only the complexity of the disease, but also the need to better identify the patients most likely to benefit from each approach.

Taiwan biotech looks outward in next phase of growth

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Argenx expands immune pipeline in $2.2B cash acquisition of Forte

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In a rare event for the European biotech sector, Dutch/Belgian immunology specialist Argenx SE is to acquire a U.S. counterpart, Forte Biosciences Inc., in an all cash deal valued at $2.2 billion. The price of $77 per share is a premium of about 86% to Forte’s volume-weighted average price since it reported positive phase Ib data for the lead program FB-102 in vitiligo on July 9.

Innovstone Therapeutics discloses new cathepsin C inhibitors

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Innovstone Therapeutics Ltd. has synthesized cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I; DPP-1) inhibitors found to be potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Abera seeks clinical trial clearance for AB-01.12

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Intranasal vaccine platform induces immunity against influenza

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Developing an HIV vaccine, one small step at a time

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Hubei Bio-Pharmaceutical Industrial Technological Institute discloses new LPAM-1 antagonists

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Hubei Bio-Pharmaceutical Industrial Technological Institute Inc. has patented integrin α4β7 (LPAM-1) antagonists that are potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Asia deal flurry draws AZ, Spero to $1B+ Dizal, Innovent assets

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.

Hansoh takes newco route to globalize IL-23 asset

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.

Capital remains selective in ‘barbell’ biotech market

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.

To viral or not to viral: In vivo CAR T debates delivery tech

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.

To viral or not to viral: In vivo CAR T debates delivery tech

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Hinova Pharmaceuticals discovers VAV1 degradation inducers

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc. has patented new molecular glue degraders comprising E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase binding agents acting as proto-oncogene Vav (VAV1) degradation inducers. As such, they are reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer.

TNF-α inhibitors disclosed in Etern Therapeutics patent

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Etern Therapeutics (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. has synthesized new TNF-α inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, Blau syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis, among others.

Immix investors skittish over exec's sexual assault arrest

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Immix Biopharma Inc.’s shares (NASDAQ:IMMX) sank 14% to $8.80 on July 20 after investors learned that a man named Richard Graydon, who served as its chief medical officer, was in fact a 20-year fugitive from Rhode Island for sexual assault charges.

To viral or not to viral: In vivo CAR T debates delivery tech

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Kyowa Kirin reports new SLC15A4 inhibitors

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd. has identified new solute carrier family 15 member 4 (SLC15A4) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease and lupus nephritis.

Mirador licenses Kira’s long-acting anti-C5a antibody KP-301

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Mirador Therapeutics Inc. has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Kira Pharmaceuticals for KP-301, a long-acting anti-C5a antibody with potential to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Valerio to collaborate with Abivax, outlines pipeline progress

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Valerio Therapeutics SA has entered into a binding term-sheet with Abivax SA setting out the principal terms of an exclusive worldwide research and development collaboration to identify, design and evaluate next-generation therapeutic candidates for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.