Lutris Pharma - Executive Changes, Apr 1, 2024
Lutris Pharma has appointed Moshe "Mori" Arkin, a renowned figure in Israel's pharmaceutical industry, to its Board of Directors. Arkin's vast experience, notably leading successful ventures like Agis Industries, aligns with Lutris Pharma's goal of enhancing cancer therapies. His expertise is expected to accelerate the development of LUT014, a promising treatment for EGFR inhibitor-induced acneiform rash. Additionally, Arkin's philanthropic endeavors through the Arkin Family Foundation highlight his commitment beyond business.
Full Article: https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/lutris-pharma-appoints-life-sciences-and-pharmaceutical-entrepreneur-moshe-mori-arkin-to-its-board-of-directors-302103601.html
Autolus Therapeutics - Executive Changes, Apr 1, 2024
Autolus Therapeutics has appointed Mike Bonney as Chairman of the Board and Ravi Rao M.D., as Non-Executive Director, effective April 1, 2024, following John H. Johnson's decision to step down. Bonney, with extensive biotech experience including as CEO of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, brings valuable expertise. Rao, currently Chief Medical Officer of Sitryx, offers clinical development proficiency. Autolus CEO Dr. Christian Itin expressed gratitude to Johnson and welcomed Bonney and Rao, highlighting their roles in advancing the company, especially in autoimmune diseases.
Full Article: https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9081922/autolus-therapeutics-announces-changes-to-its-board-of-directors
Regeneron - Executive Changes
Violetta Kivovich MD, PhD started a new position at Regeneron
Executive Medical Director, Clinical Sciences
Sutro Biopharma - Stock Offerings, Apr 2, 2024
Sutro Biopharma, Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), has priced an underwritten offering of 14,478,764 shares of its common stock at $5.18 per share, expecting gross proceeds of approximately $75.0 million. Led by healthcare-focused institutional investors, the offering is set to close around April 4, 2024. Sutro plans to utilize the net proceeds, along with existing funds, for various corporate purposes including research, clinical development, manufacturing, and general operations. BofA Securities is serving as the sole book-running manager for the offering.
Full Article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sutro-biopharma-announces-pricing-75-101800109.html
Jazz Pharmaceutical - Drug Approval, Apr 2, 2024
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc has completed the rolling submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for accelerated approval of the HER2-targeted bispecific antibody zanidatamab as a treatment for previously-treated, unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC). This submission marks a significant step toward providing a targeted treatment option for a cancer type with a low survival rate. Zanidatamab, with its promising efficacy and manageable safety profile, is being evaluated across multiple indications, including ongoing Phase 3 trials in other cancers expressing HER2.
Full Article: https://investor.jazzpharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/jazz-pharmaceuticals-completes-zanidatamab-biologics-license
Alterome Therapeutics - Series B Investment, Apr 3, 2024
Alterome Therapeutics secured $132 million in Series B funding led by Goldman Sachs. They plan to advance their innovative cancer treatments targeting specific mutations, which were previously considered undruggable. These therapies aim to offer new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Full Article: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240403342221/en/Alterome-Therapeutics-Raises-132-Million-in-Series-B-Financing-Led-by-Goldman-Sachs-Alternatives
Conformation-X Therapeutics - Seed Funding, Apr 3, 2024
Conformation-X Therapeutics, an immune-oncology focused company, has closed a funding round of $3.65 million, bringing their total raised to over $13.5 million. Their lead assets, targeting HHLA2 and IL18BP, have shown promising results in proof-of-concept studies, addressing cancer mechanisms that existing treatments struggle with. CEO Dr. Ali H. Munawar emphasizes the need for alternative therapies to tackle treatment resistance. The company's innovative approach, leveraging protein conformations in drug development, aims to pioneer new immunotherapeutic options. The recent funding will accelerate translational studies and pipeline expansion.
Full Article: https://www.afp.com/en/news/1314/conformation-x-therapeutics-bolts-out-stealth-securing-over-135m-funding-propel-its-innovative-immune-oncology-pipeline-202404036232981
Genmab - Acquisition, Apr 3, 2024
Genmab is acquiring ProfoundBio Inc. for $1.8 billion in cash to bolster its cancer treatment portfolio with next-generation antibody-drug conjugates. The acquisition, expected to close in the first half of 2024 pending regulatory approvals, aligns with Genmab's long-term strategy to innovate in antibody medicines. This move reflects a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson, to expand their offerings in cancer treatments.
Full Article: https://www.investopedia.com/genmab-buys-profoundbio-for-usd1-8b-to-boost-oncology-portfolio-8624021
TME Pharma - FDA Fast Track grant, Apr 3, 2024
TME Pharma has received Fast Track designation from the US FDA for NOX-A12, its CXCL12 inhibitor, in combination with radiotherapy and bevacizumab for treating glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. This designation expedites the drug's development process due to its potential to address unmet medical needs. TME Pharma's IND approval and promising survival data from the GLORIA study further support the drug's potential, positioning it as a significant advancement in glioblastoma treatment. CEO Aram Mangasarian views these regulatory milestones as positive signals for potential partnerships.
Full Article: https://european-biotechnology.com/up-to-date/latest-news/news/tme-pharma-gets-fda-fast-track-for-glioblastoma.html?L=0&cHash=60aaad5eb801b05582bb5675b7620140
Kintara Therapeutics and TuHURA Biosciences - Definitive Merging, Apr 3, 2024
TuHURA Biosciences and Kintara Therapeutics are merging to advance late-stage oncology treatments, particularly personalized cancer vaccines and bi-functional ADCs. TuHURA's IFx-2.0 vaccine will enter Phase 3 trials alongside Keytruda® for Merkel cell carcinoma. With $31 million in financing, the merged company aims to operate until late 2025.
Full Article: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kintara-therapeutics-and-tuhura-biosciences-enter-into-definitive-merger-agreement-302106737.html
Obsidian Therapeutics - Series C Investment, Apr 3, 2024
Obsidian Therapeutics has concluded a Series C financing round, securing $160.5 million from a consortium led by Wellington Management. The funding will primarily advance their lead program, OBX-115, targeting melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on clinical trials, regulatory milestones, and manufacturing scale-up. Dr. Ray Camahort from Novo Holdings US joins Obsidian's Board of Directors, strengthening support for their innovative therapies.
Full Article: https://obsidiantx.com/news-releases/obsidian-therapeutics-announces-oversubscribed-160-5-million-series-c-financing-to-drive-obx-115-clinical-development/
ADC Therapeutics - Positive Trial Data, Apr 4, 2024
ADC Therapeutics has completed the dose escalation phase of its Phase 1b LOTIS-7 trial, testing ZYNLONTA® with bispecific antibodies for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and early signs of anti-tumor activity were noted across all participants. The trial progresses to Part 2, focusing on dose expansion in patients with 2L+ DLBCL, with optimism for broader use of ZYNLONTA in DLBCL treatment.
Full Article: https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/adc-therapeutics-reports-positive-phase-1b-trial-results-for-zynlonta-93CH-3365496
Novartis - Label Expansion, Apr 4, 2024
Novartis shares rose as the pharmaceutical company announced plans to seek approval for expanded use of its cancer treatment, Pluvicto. A late-stage trial showed improved overall survival rates for advanced prostate cancer patients receiving Pluvicto before chemotherapy. Pluvicto, originally approved in 2022, utilizes targeted cell compounds and therapeutic radioactive particles for cancers that have spread. Novartis aims to file for label expansion in the second half of the year, with full study results to be presented at a later medical meeting. As of Thursday afternoon, Novartis shares were up 2.4% at $96.61.
Full Article: https://www.investopedia.com/novartis-will-seek-label-expansion-of-its-prostate-cancer-treatment-after-study-8624903
Merck, Caris - Partnership, Apr 4, 2024
Merck and Caris Life Sciences have joined forces in a $1.4 billion deal to develop novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment. Merck will lead the research, development, and commercialization efforts, while Caris will leverage its AI and precision medicine expertise to identify new cancer targets. The partnership underscores the growing significance of ADCs in oncology, as evidenced by recent industry deals aiming to tap into the market projected to exceed $30 billion by 2028.
Full Article: https://www.biospace.com/article/merck-kgaa-caris-sign-1-4b-deal-to-develop-first-in-class-adcs-for-cancer/
Protara Therapeutics - Private Placement, Apr 5, 2024
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. has entered a private placement agreement to sell over 9 million shares of its common stock and warrants to institutional accredited investors, led by RA Capital Management and Acorn Bioventures. The offering, expected to raise approximately $45 million, will fund general corporate purposes, including clinical trials, extending operations until 2026. The securities offered are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
Full Article: https://www.kxan.com/business/press-releases/globenewswire/9085239/protara-therapeutics-announces-oversubscribed-45-million-private-placement-financing/
Protara Therapeutics - Positive Trial Data, Apr 5, 2024
Protara Therapeutics announced positive three-month results for its experimental therapy TARA-002 in carcinoma in situ patients, causing a 20% pre-market stock surge. The ongoing trial showed a 43% complete response rate in BCG-Unresponsive/Experienced patients and a 63% complete response rate in CIS-only patients, with no severe adverse events reported. Further data from the six-month evaluation is expected later in 2024.
Full Article: https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/protara-announces-positive-data-from-tara-002-trial-in-bladder-cancer-stock-up
AstraZeneca - Positive Trial Data, Apr 5, 2024
AstraZeneca's Phase III trial of Imfinzi (durvalumab) for limited-state small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) has demonstrated a survival benefit, with significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to placebo. The study evaluated Imfinzi alone and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) in 730 patients following chemoradiotherapy. Safety remained consistent with previous findings. Imfinzi, a PD-L1 inhibitor, aims to enhance the immune system's ability to target cancer cells, with strong sales potential forecasted by 2030.
Full Article: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/astrazeneca-reports-positive-phase-iii-results-for-imfinzi-in-small-cell-lung-cancer/
PanTher Therapeutics - Executive Changes, Apr 5, 2024
PanTher Therapeutics has named John Edwards as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. With over 35 years of biopharmaceutical experience, Edwards has a proven track record in guiding successful biotech companies through various stages of growth. His appointment coincides with PanTher's advancement of its lead program, PTM-101, into later-stage clinical trials. The company aims to revolutionize cancer treatment with high-dose, long-lasting localized therapies, potentially transforming the approach to treating locally advanced solid tumors.
Full Article: https://www.streetinsider.com/Business+Wire/PanTher+Therapeutics+Announces+Appointment+of+John+Edwards+as+Executive+Chair+of+the+Board+of+Directors/23032560.html
