Liminatus Pharma Inc. has announced plans to conduct a phase I trial of IBA-101, a next-generation CD47-blockade antibody designed to work alongside PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors across a range of solid tumors.

VST Bio Corp. has closed its series A financing designed to support the company’s work in vascular diseases with the development of first-in-class antibodies targeting edema and inflammation for patients with ischemic stroke.

Rare disease drug development companies battle with economic challenges and small patient populations, but new technology alongside a human connection are helping researchers and marketers identify patients, educate physicians and build networks. At Pharma USA, a Reuters Events meeting in Philadelphia March 16-17, executives from Astrazeneca plc and UCB SA discussed their successes with rare disease launches, presenting their playbooks for building trust and driving adoption among patients.