Verastem Oncology - Clinical Trial Updates, Jul 15, 2024
Verastem Oncology has begun dosing the first patient with GFH375/VS-7375, an oral KRAS G12D (ON/OFF) inhibitor, in a Phase I/II trial in China. Developed in collaboration with GenFleet Therapeutics, the trial aims to evaluate the drug's safety and effectiveness in treating advanced KRAS G12D mutant solid tumors.
Full Article: Verastem begins dosing first patient in KRAS G12D inhibitor trial
CatalYm - Series D Investment, Jul 16, 2024
CatalYm raised $150 million in a series D round to advance visugromab, a promising monoclonal antibody targeting GDF-15, in treating challenging cancers. The funds will expand phase 2b trials across various tumor types, focusing on enhancing cancer remission depth and durability. Key new investors include Canaan Partners and Bioqube Ventures, underscoring confidence in CatalYm's innovative immunotherapy approach.
Full Article: Early-stage data catalyzes $150 million Series D for CatalYm
Atsena Therapeutics - Executive Changes, Jul 16, 2024
Atsena Therapeutics has named Joseph S. Zakrzewski as Chair of its Board of Directors. With a distinguished career in biotech and pharma, including leadership roles at Amarin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Company, Mr. Zakrzewski brings extensive experience to Atsena. His appointment highlights Atsena's commitment to advancing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases through innovative AAV technology and ongoing clinical trials.
Full Article: Atsena Therapeutics appoints Joseph S. Zakrzewski as Board Chair
Avalo Therapeutics - C-Suite Changes, Jul 16, 2024
Avalo Therapeutics has appointed Mittie Doyle, MD, FACR, as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Doyle, with extensive experience in drug development and leadership roles at Aro Biotherapeutics and CSL Behring, will oversee the Phase 2 LOTUS Trial for hidradenitis suppurativa. Her expertise in immunology and clinical development aims to advance AVTX-009, potentially offering significant benefits for patients with inflammatory conditions.
Full Article: Avalo Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Dr. Mittie Doyle as Chief Medical Officer
Scorpion Therapeutics - Series C Investment, Jul 16, 2024
Scorpion Therapeutics closed a $150 million Series C financing led by Frazier Life Sciences and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with support from other investors. Shelley Chu and Albert Cha will join the board. The funds will advance Scorpion's pipeline, including the PI3Kα inhibitor STX-478 and EGFR inhibitors. CEO Adam Friedman highlighted the importance of this funding in enhancing precision oncology treatments.
Full Article: Scorpion Therapeutics Announces $150 Million Series C Financing
Biotheryx - Clinical Trial Updates, Jul 17, 2024
Biotheryx, Inc. has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 trial of BTX-9341, an investigational oral degrader of CDK4/6, for advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients previously treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors. The trial will assess BTX-9341's safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics as both a monotherapy and in combination with fulvestrant, with preclinical studies showing promising anti-tumor activity.
Full Article: Biotheryx Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Trial of BTX-9341
Meliora Therapeutics - Executive Changes, Jul 17, 2024
Meliora Therapeutics has appointed Dieter Weinand, former CEO of Bayer Pharmaceuticals, as Chairman of the Board, and Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, former CEO of BioMarin, as Independent Director. CEO David Li highlighted their expertise in drug development as crucial for advancing Meliora’s machine learning-based cancer therapies. Both Weinand and Bienaimé expressed enthusiasm for contributing to Meliora's mission to transform cancer treatment.
Full Article: Meliora Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Biopharma Luminaries to Board of Directors
Caribou Biotherapeutics - Company Downsizing, Jul 17, 2024
Caribou Biotherapeutics has decided to cut its preclinical CAR-NK cell therapy program, CB-020, and lay off 12% of its workforce (21 employees) to extend its cash runway into the second half of 2026. The CRISPR-focused company will now concentrate on its allogeneic CAR-T platform, which includes multiple milestones for 2024 and 2025, such as trials for CB-011, CB-010, and CB-012. CEO Rachel Haurwitz had previously indicated the company was open to partnerships to extend cash flow.
Full Article: Caribou Cuts NK Cell Therapy Program, Lays Off 12% of Staff to Fund CAR-T Priorities
AVEO Oncology - Failed Trial Results, Jul 19, 2024
AVEO Oncology, part of the LG Chem group, announced that its Phase III TiNivo-2 trial (NCT04987203) for advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) did not meet the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) with the combination therapy of Opdivo (nivolumab) and low-dose Fotivda (tivozanib). However, Fotivda as a monotherapy showed clinically meaningful outcomes in median PFS for patients in the second line following prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment.
Full Article: AVEO Oncology's Kidney Cancer Combo Fails Phase III
