GSK Completes Acquisition of IDRx for Precision Cancer Therapies, Feb. 24, 2025
GSK has completed its acquisition of IDRx, a clinical-stage biotech focused on precision therapies for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), for up to $1.15 billion. The deal includes IDRX-42, a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to target all clinically relevant KIT mutations, addressing a key unmet need in GIST treatment. GSK plans to advance IDRX-42 for second-line GIST, where no approved treatments effectively address all resistance mutations, and accelerate its development in earlier settings.
Full Article: GSK Acquisition
Epitopea Secures $31 Million Pre-Series A Funding to Develop RNA-Based Immunotherapies, Feb. 24, 2025
Epitopea has closed a $31 million pre-Series A financing, bringing its total funding to over $45 million, with new and existing investors supporting its development of off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The proceeds will accelerate its transition to a clinical-stage company, aiming to bring its Cryptigen™ TSA-targeting therapies to the clinic by 2026. Osborne Clarke advised Epitopea on the financing, reinforcing the firm's role in supporting life sciences and healthcare companies.
Full Article: Epitopea Financing
Inceptor Bio Doses First Patient in Clinical Trial of IB-T101 for ccRCC, Feb. 25, 2025
Inceptor Bio has dosed the first patient in its clinical trial for IB-T101, an autologous CD70 CAR-T therapy designed for patients with clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) who have relapsed on prior treatments. This trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and early efficacy of IB-T101, which is powered by the OUTLAST platform that enhances T cell persistence in the tumor microenvironment. Inceptor Bio also closed a $21 million Series A2 financing to support the ongoing development of IB-T101 and its broader cell therapy pipeline.
Full Article: Inceptor Bio Trial
Repare Therapeutics Announces 75% Workforce Reduction to Focus on Phase I Programs, Feb. 25, 2025
Repare Therapeutics is cutting approximately 75% of its workforce, including Chief Medical Officer Maria Koehler, leaving the company with fewer than 35 employees as it focuses on advancing two Phase I clinical programs. The layoffs, expected to save around $21 million annually, follow a previous 25% staff reduction in 2023. Repare is prioritizing its PLK4 inhibitor RP-1664 and Polθ ATPase inhibitor RP-3467 while seeking partnerships for other assets. The company aims to extend its cash runway into mid-2027 and expects to complete the reorganization by Q4.
Full Article: Repare Therapeutics Layoffs
Eikon Therapeutics Raises $350 Million in Series D Financing to Advance Oncology Pipeline, Feb. 26, 2025
Eikon Therapeutics has secured $350.7 million in Series D financing, bringing its total funding to over $1.1 billion since 2019. The funds will advance its clinical-stage programs, including Phase III trials for its lead candidate, EIK1001, for advanced melanoma, and support the development of other pipeline therapies targeting cancers such as breast, ovarian, and brain tumors. The company also leverages its proprietary Single Molecule Tracking (SMT) platform to revolutionize drug discovery with high precision in protein analysis.
Full Article: Eikon Therapeutics Series D
Zymeworks Achieves $14 Million Milestone from GSK in Ongoing Collaboration, Feb. 26, 2025
Zymeworks, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease, announced the achievement of a $14 million cash research milestone from GSK associated with a clinical milestone.
Full Article: Zymeworks Milestone
Plus Therapeutics Advances Lead Drug Rhenium-186Re-Obisbemeda for Patients with Leptomeningeal Metastases, Feb. 26, 2025
Plus Therapeutics has completed its ReSPECT-LM Phase 1 trial, determining the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of 44.1 mCi for Rhenium (186Re) Obisbemeda, administered intrathecally to patients with leptomeningeal metastases. The trial showed no dose-limiting toxicities at this dose, and one patient achieved a complete response with tumor eradication in the cerebrospinal fluid. The company plans to advance both a Phase 2 single-dose expansion trial and a Phase 1 multiple-dose trial while working with the FDA to define the optimal pivotal trial pathway.
Full Article: Plus Therapeutics Trial Update
MAIA Biotechnology Announces Expansion of THIO-101 Phase 2 Trial in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Feb. 26, 2025
MAIA Biotechnology has announced the expansion of its THIO-101 pivotal Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on patients who have developed resistance to prior checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The trial will assess overall response rates (ORR) in two arms: one evaluating THIO sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab) and the other as a monotherapy. The company plans to enroll 48 patients in this trial and 100 more for the registration phase. MAIA recently amended its clinical supply agreement with Regeneron to provide Libtayo for all patients in the study.
Full Article: MAIA Biotechnology Trial Expansion
FoRx Therapeutics Appoints Chief Medical Officer and Provides an Update on Its Lead Development Candidate, Feb. 26, 2025
FoRx Therapeutics has appointed a new Chief Medical Officer and provided an update on its lead development candidate, which is progressing through preclinical studies. The company is advancing its proprietary therapeutics targeting autoimmune diseases and cancer, with a focus on regulatory filings and clinical trial readiness. FoRx remains committed to expanding its pipeline of innovative therapies in the coming months.
Full Article: FoRx Therapeutics Appointment
Akeso Enrolls First Patient in Phase I Clinical Trial of AK138D1 HER3-Targeting ADC, Feb. 27, 2025
Akeso, Inc. has enrolled the first patient in its Phase I clinical trial of AK138D1, a HER3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), for advanced malignancies in Australia. This marks a major step in Akeso's "IO 2.0 + ADC" strategy, complementing its two approved bispecific antibodies, cadonilimab and ivonescimab, in China. With a strong focus on ADC and bispecific ADC development, Akeso aims to enhance efficacy while minimizing toxicity, backed by its advanced research and manufacturing facilities. Given HER3's role in tumor progression and drug resistance, AK138D1 holds promise for improving treatment outcomes in multiple cancers.
Full Article: Akeso Clinical Trial Update
Allogene Therapeutics Expands Collaboration with Foresight Diagnostics for MRD Assay Development in LBCL, Feb. 27, 2025
Allogene Therapeutics has expanded its collaboration with Foresight Diagnostics to develop an MRD assay as a companion diagnostic for cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel) in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). The assay, based on Foresight’s ultra-sensitive ctDNA-based CLARITY platform, will identify high-risk patients for treatment in the ALPHA3 pivotal trial. This partnership aims to accelerate cema-cel’s regulatory approval in multiple regions, positioning it as a one-time consolidation therapy to prevent relapse. With a $37.3 million investment, Allogene is reinforcing its commitment to transforming LBCL treatment beyond the U.S. by integrating MRD detection into clinical decision-making.
Full Article: Allogene Therapeutics Collaboration
Akeso Enrolls First Patient in Phase I Clinical Trial of AK138D1 HER3-Targeting ADC for Advanced Malignancies, Feb. 27, 2025
Akeso, Inc. has enrolled the first patient in its Phase I clinical trial of AK138D1, a novel HER3-targeting ADC, for advanced malignancies in Australia. This marks Akeso’s first ADC drug to enter clinical studies, aligning with its “IO 2.0 + ADC” strategy, which includes its approved bispecific antibodies, cadonilimab (PD-1/CTLA-4) and ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF). The company aims to leverage its expertise in bispecific antibodies to advance ADC and bispecific ADC therapies, enhancing efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Akeso has also invested in cutting-edge ADC research and manufacturing facilities to support global expansion.
Full Article: Akeso Trial Enrollment
Ono Pharmaceutical Announces Reorganization of U.S. and U.K. Subsidiaries, Feb. 28, 2025
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced a reorganization of its U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries to strengthen its global presence. Key functions of ONO PHARMA USA, INC. (OPUS), including U.S. R&D, commercial, and medical affairs, along with European R&D, will integrate into Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, LLC. by July 2025, enhancing Deciphera’s role as a business hub for Ono’s U.S. and European operations beyond oncology. Meanwhile, ONO PHARMA UK LTD. (OPUK) will cease R&D activities by March 2025 but continue research collaborations. Ono remains committed to accelerating global pharmaceutical innovation.
Full Article: Ono Pharmaceutical Reorganization
