SNIPR Biome - Grant, Apr 22, 2024
SNIPR Biome received $5.48 million from CARB-X to co-fund a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial for SNIPR001, a CRISPR-based therapy targeting E. coli infections in hematological cancer patients. The trial aims to assess safety and efficacy in 24 patients across Europe and the United States, addressing a critical need in preventing bloodstream infections. This funding highlights a commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Plus Therapeutics - Grant, Apr 22, 2024
Plus Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has secured funding from the Department of Defense for expanding its clinical trial on pediatric brain cancer, starting in Q3 2024. The grant supports the Phase 1 trial investigating Rhenium (186Re) Obisbemeda (186RNL) delivered by Convection Enhanced Delivery for treating supratentorial recurrent, refractory, or progressive pediatric high-grade glioma and ependymoma. This funding extends the company's runway into the second half of 2025 and underscores its commitment to advancing cancer care through clinical trials.
Full Article: Plus Therapeutics Receives $3 Million Award Recommendation from the United States Department of Defense
Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellares - Collaboration, Apr 22, 2024
Bristol Myers Squibb and Cellares have struck a $380 million deal to enhance manufacturing for CAR T-cell therapies. Cellares will integrate BMS' therapies into its automated Cell Shuttle platform, giving BMS exclusive use of Cellares' smart factories globally to expedite access to treatments. This collaboration strengthens BMS's manufacturing capabilities and supports its strategy to improve patient access to transformative therapies.
Full Article: Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellares Ink $380M Deal to Manufacture CAR T-Cell Therapies
Janssen - EU Approval, Apr 22, 2024
Janssen's Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) received European Commission approval for early-line treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. In the Phase III CARTITUDE-4 trial, Carvykti showed significantly reduced disease progression risk compared to standard therapy, with 76 percent of patients not progressing at 12 months. This approval follows FDA approval in the same setting, providing a promising treatment option for these patients.
Full Article: Janssen's Carvykti Nets EU Approval for Early-Line Multiple Myeloma
Evexta Bio - Positive trial data, Apr 22, 2024
Evexta Bio has received FDA feedback, allowing them to proceed with the Phase 2 trial of rupitasertib in advanced breast cancer. The trial, starting in Q4 2024, will assess rupitasertib + elacestrant in ER+ HER2- breast cancer patients with ESR1 mutations. Promising preclinical data support the potential efficacy of this combination therapy. Evexta Bio aims to offer effective treatment options for patients with limited choices, particularly those who have progressed after CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.
Full Article: Evexta Bio Advancing Rupitasertib/Orserdu Combo Phase II in ESR1 Mutant Breast
Molecular You - Positive trial data, Apr 23, 2024
Molecular You's new testing platform detected stage 1 pancreatic cancer in a 60-year-old patient without symptoms, showcasing its potential for early detection. Dr. Pieter Cullis highlights the platform's role in personalized medicine and early disease detection. This development coincides with Immunovia's announcement of a next-generation pancreatic cancer test showing promise in detecting early-stage cancers with high accuracy, reducing reliance on traditional biomarkers like CA19-9.
Full Article: Molecular You Immunovia Pancreatic Cancer Tests
Freenome - Company Downsizing, Apr 24, 2024
Freenome intends to downsize its staff by around 20%, affecting over 100 employees across departments, as part of a restructuring effort to streamline operations after securing $254 million in funding for cancer detection tests. The company expressed regret over the decision but pledged support for affected staff during their transition. This move aligns with the recent trend in the biotech sector, with companies like Genentech, Sanofi, and 23andMe also announcing workforce reductions in the region.
Full Article: Tech Layoffs: Freenome
Flindr Therapeutics - Series A Financing, Apr 24, 2024
Flindr Therapeutics, a precision oncology company in the Netherlands, raised €20M in Series A funding led by V-Bio Ventures. The funding, with participation from JJDC, Inc. and others, will advance their lead program targeting RNF31 for cancer treatment. Led by CEO Maarten Ligtenberg, Flindr aims to translate precision targets into therapies, leveraging the ImmunoGram Drug Discovery Engine from the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute.
Full Article: Flindr Therapeutics Raises €20M in Series A Financing
Jazz Pharmaceuticals - Pipeline Data Presentation, Apr 24, 2024
Jazz Pharmaceuticals will present eight abstracts at the ASCO Annual Meeting, featuring data from trials of zanidatamab, Zepzelca®, and Rylaze®, as well as the JZP898 Phase 1 trial design. Notably, updated data from the HERIZON-BTC-01 trial of zanidatamab in HER2-positive biliary tract cancer will be highlighted, showcasing its potential impact on patient outcomes.
Full Article: Jazz Pharmaceuticals Presents Data Across Growing Oncology Pipeline
Endeavor BioMedicines - Series C Investment, Apr 24, 2024
Endeavor BioMedicines raised $132.5 million in a Series C round to advance two experimental drugs: ENV-101 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and ENV-501 for cancer. ENV-101, originally from Eli Lilly, showed promise in Phase 2 trials, prompting plans for further studies. ENV-501, licensed from Hummingbird Bioscience, is aimed at solid tumors and will begin early-stage trials this year.
Full Article: Endeavor BioMedicines Raises $132.5M in Series C Financing
Starton Therapeutics - Positive trial data, Apr 25, 2024
Starton Therapeutics completed enrollment for its STAR-LLD Phase 1b trial in multiple myeloma, assessing low-dose lenalidomide alongside dexamethasone and bortezomib. The trial finished ahead of schedule, showing promising safety and efficacy with only two drug-related events observed. This suggests potential superiority over oral Revlimid, with FDA guidance on Phase 2 trials expected in Q4 2024.
Full Article: Starton Therapeutics Announces Enrollment Completion for STAR-LLD Phase 1b Clinical Trial in Multiple Myeloma
Bristol Myers - Company Downsizing, Apr 25, 2024
Bristol Myers Squibb is restructuring to save $1.5 billion by cutting 6% of its workforce, affecting 2,200 employees. The move aims to bolster long-term growth amidst impending patent expirations for top-selling drugs like Eliquis and Opdivo. The company plans to reinvest savings into high-potential opportunities while streamlining its pipeline and reducing expenses.
Full Article: Bristol Myers Layoffs Aimed at Restructuring and Cost Savings
Mainz Biomed - Positive trial data, Apr 25, 2024
Mainz Biomed unveiled promising results from a pooled clinical study for its next-gen colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tool, boasting 92% sensitivity and 90% specificity for CRC and 82% sensitivity for advanced adenomas. CEO Guido Baechler emphasized the milestone towards their FDA PMA pivotal study, aiming to enroll up to 15,000 patients. Mainz Biomed's mRNA biomarkers show potential to revolutionize CRC diagnostics with accurate, non-invasive screening.
Full Article: Mainz Biomed Reports Positive Topline Results from Pooled Study Evaluating Novel mRNA Biomarkers and Proprietary AI Algorithm
Gilead - Financial setback, Apr 26, 2024
Gilead Sciences is taking a $2.4 billion impairment charge on Trodelvy following a negative phase 3 trial in non-small cell lung cancer. Despite this setback, Gilead remains confident in Trodelvy's potential and plans to explore new indications and earlier lines of therapy. Gilead faces competition from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's rival TROP2 ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan, and is addressing infrastructure bottlenecks in its cell therapy segment to anticipate growth by the end of 2024.
Full Article: Gilead Writes Off $2.4B on Trodelvy, CEO Underscores Time-Focused Execution
King Charles' cancer treatment, Apr 27, 2024
King Charles will resume public royal duties after responding well to cancer treatment, though he is not in remission and will continue treatment. His progress is encouraging, and he will visit a cancer treatment center with Camilla to raise awareness. While his diary won't be full, he'll attend events based on medical advice, considering the risk to cancer patients. The King's openness about his diagnosis has sparked important conversations about cancer, echoing Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson's recent health challenges.
Full Article: King Charles Shares Positive Cancer News
