Adcentrx Therapeutics Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Study of First-in-Class ADC for Solid Tumors, Jan. 6, 2025
Adcentrx Therapeutics has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1a/b trial of ADRX-0405, a potential first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting STEAP1 for advanced solid tumors, including metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The open-label trial will assess the safety, tolerability, and optimal dose of ADRX-0405, with initial data expected in Q4 2025.
Full Article: Adcentrx Therapeutics Clinical Trial Update
Predictive Oncology Enters Agreement to be Acquired by Renovaro, Jan. 6, 2025
Predictive Oncology has entered a binding letter of intent to be acquired by Renovaro in exchange for preferred stock. The merger will combine Predictive's AI-driven drug discovery platform, biobank of over 150,000 patient tumor samples, and vast drug response data with Renovaro's AI and multi-omic expertise. The deal is expected to accelerate drug discovery, enhance cancer treatment through earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies, and generate significant cost savings. The merger is subject to shareholder approval and a $15 million fundraising goal, with a completion date set for February 2025.
Full Article: Predictive Oncology Merges with Renovaro
BeiGene Appoints Giancarlo Benelli as Head of Europe, Jan. 6, 2025
BeiGene, Ltd. (soon to be BeOne Medicines Ltd.) has appointed Giancarlo Benelli as Senior Vice President and Head of Europe, effective January 1st, to strengthen its presence in the European market. With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including roles at Novartis and AstraZeneca, Benelli will play a crucial role in advancing the company’s commitment to bringing innovative oncology medicines to more patients across Europe. His leadership aligns with BeiGene's transformative journey as a global oncology innovator, focused on expanding its footprint and enhancing capabilities in the region.
Full Article: BeiGene Announces Executive Appointment
Kura Oncology Promotes Senior Executives, Jan. 7, 2025
Kura Oncology has promoted Mollie Leoni, M.D., to Chief Medical Officer and Francis Burrows, Ph.D., to Chief Scientific Officer, following their exemplary leadership in clinical development and translational research. Dr. Leoni, previously Executive Vice President of Clinical Development, has played a pivotal role in advancing the ziftomenib program for acute myeloid leukemia. Dr. Burrows, who led translational research for the past nine years, has been instrumental in driving the company’s pipeline. The promotion comes as Stephen Dale, M.D., steps down as Chief Medical Officer to focus on health recovery.
Full Article: Kura Oncology Announces Executive Changes
Esphera SynBio Secures $2M in Seed Financing, Jan. 7, 2025
Esphera SynBio has secured $2M in seed financing to advance its innovative nanomedicine vaccine platform for cancer and infectious diseases. The funds will support the development of a cancer vaccine clinical candidate and further research, leveraging synthetic biology to engineer exosomes as immunostimulants. With backing from investors like GKCC and FACIT, Esphera aims to validate its technology and explore strategic partnerships for future clinical trials.
Full Article: Esphera SynBio Closes Seed Financing Round
MAIA Biotechnology Enters Clinical Supply Agreement with BeiGene, Jan. 7, 2025
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. has entered a clinical supply agreement with BeiGene to evaluate the efficacy of MAIA's telomere-targeting anticancer agent, THIO, in combination with BeiGene's immune checkpoint inhibitor, tislelizumab, in three cancer indications: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). The pivotal Phase 2 trials will assess the combination's potential based on promising preclinical results, including durable anti-tumor immune responses and complete cancer remission in some cases. MAIA will sponsor and fund the trials, while BeiGene will provide tislelizumab.
Full Article: MAIA Biotechnology and BeiGene Collaborate
CytomX Therapeutics Announces 40% Workforce Reduction, Jan. 7, 2025
CytomX Therapeutics announced a 40% workforce reduction to prioritize its clinical-stage programs, particularly CX-2051, an antibody-drug conjugate for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. The restructuring, expected to be complete by Q1 2025, will primarily affect non-partnered early research and administrative functions, leaving fewer than 75 employees. The company aims to extend its cash runway into Q2 2026 while continuing collaborations with partners like Amgen, Astellas, and Moderna, despite uncertainties around advancing its CX-904 program with Amgen due to capital constraints.
Full Article: CytomX Announces Restructuring
Galapagos Announces 40% Workforce Reduction, Jan. 8, 2025
Galapagos announced plans to split into two companies and reduce its workforce by approximately 300 employees across Europe, representing 40% of its staff. The restructuring will include downsizing in Belgium and the closure of its facility in France. One entity will focus on cell therapy for cancer, while the newly formed "SpinCo" will specialize in acquiring companies in virology, immunology, and oncology, with €2.45 billion in funding. The company will discontinue its small molecules business and retain its headquarters in Mechelen.
Full Article: Galapagos Cuts Jobs in Europe
Araris Biotech Announces Research Collaboration with Chugai, Jan. 8, 2025
Araris Biotech, a Swiss oncology company, announced a partnership with Chugai Pharmaceutical to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using Araris' proprietary AraLinQ platform. Chugai will fund the research and may exercise a licensing option for further development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Araris stands to receive up to $780 million in milestone payments and royalties on resulting product sales.
Full Article: Araris Announces ADC Collaboration
Compugen Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Trial for COM503, Jan. 8, 2025
Compugen announced the dosing of the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating COM503, an antibody targeting IL-18 binding protein, in advanced solid tumors. The trial will assess COM503 as a monotherapy and in combination with zimberelimab, an anti-PD1 antibody licensed to Gilead. This trial aims to explore COM503’s ability to enhance anti-tumor immune responses by releasing IL-18 locally within tumors.
Full Article: Compugen Doses First Patient in COM503 Trial
A2 Biotherapeutics Closes $80 Million Series C Financing, Jan. 9, 2025
A2 Biotherapeutics closed an $80 million Series C financing round to advance its clinical development of precision cell therapies. The funding will support three ongoing clinical programs targeting cancers like pancreatic, ovarian, and colorectal cancers using A2 Bio’s proprietary Tmod™ technology platform. The round was led by investors including The Column Group and Samsara BioCapital. The company also plans to leverage AI-enabled diagnostics for patient prescreening in its Phase 1/2 trials.
Full Article: A2 Biotherapeutics Closes Series C Financing
Candel Therapeutics Reports Positive Phase 3 Data for CAN-2409, Jan. 9, 2025
Candel Therapeutics announced positive Phase 3 results for CAN-2409, its viral immunotherapy for prostate cancer, achieving the primary endpoint of disease-free survival. The therapy, delivered directly into tumors and paired with valocyclovir, stimulates a potent immune response, with potential benefits for both primary and metastatic tumors. Candel plans to submit the therapy for FDA approval by Q4 2025. The company also secured $92 million in funding, marking a significant recovery after restructuring.
Full Article: Candel Therapeutics Reports Positive Trial Results
Numab Therapeutics Secures CHF 50 Million Series C Extension, Jan. 9, 2025
Numab Therapeutics raised an oversubscribed CHF 50 million ($55 million) extension to its Series C funding, bringing the total to CHF 180 million. This funding will accelerate the development of Numab's multi-specific antibodies for inflammation and oncology. The company also announced the acquisition of its spin-out Yellow Jersey Therapeutics by Johnson & Johnson for $1.25 billion. The funds will support Numab's proprietary platforms, λ-Cap™ and MATCH™, to drive progress in its pipeline.
Full Article: Numab Therapeutics Raises $55 Million
Astellas Pharma Discontinues ASP2802 in Lymphoma, Jan. 9, 2025
Astellas Pharma has decided to discontinue its early-stage CAR-T candidate, ASP2802, for CD20-positive B-cell lymphomas following a review of its pipeline. Despite halting the Phase 1 trial, the company remains focused on advancing cell therapies, particularly through its Xyphos’ ACCEL technology. Astellas continues to explore partnerships, including recent collaborations with Kelonia and Poseida Therapeutics, as part of its broader oncology strategy.
Full Article: Astellas Discontinues ASP2802
Repare Therapeutics Halts Lunre+Camo Trial, Jan. 10, 2025
Repare Therapeutics announced it will halt the Lunre+Camo combination trial following Phase 1 results in endometrial and ovarian cancers. The company is now prioritizing its promising Phase 1 assets, RP-1664 and RP-3467, which show potential in treating various cancers. This strategic shift comes alongside plans to extend its cash runway to mid-2027 by scaling back preclinical programs and laying off employees. Repare aims to focus on precision oncology and reach significant milestones for these assets in 2025.
Full Article: Repare Terminates Lunre+Camo Trial
CatalYm Appoints Scott Clarke as CEO, Jan. 10, 2025
CatalYm appointed Scott Clarke as its new CEO, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Clarke will oversee both EU and US operations and lead the company’s efforts to advance its lead candidate, visugromab, in Phase IIb trials targeting non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. This appointment follows a successful $150 million Series D financing and positive clinical data published in Nature.
Full Article: CatalYm Names New CEO
