C Ray Therapeutics Secures $100M in Series A Investment, Nov 17, 2024
C Ray Therapeutics, a Chengdu-based radiopharmaceutical startup, has raised over $100M in a Series A round led by China’s National Manufacturing Transformation Fund and Tailong Capital. The funding will accelerate the development of its radiopharmaceutical pipeline, including radionuclide-drug conjugates, and enhance its technology platform. Positioned in a rapidly growing market, C Ray aims to advance precision diagnostics and treatments for oncology and beyond.
Full Article: C Ray Therapeutics Series A Investment
Alentis Therapeutics Raises $181.4M in Series D Financing for CLDN1-targeting ADCs, Nov 18, 2024
Alentis Therapeutics has raised $181.4 million in Series D financing, led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Jeito Capital, with contributions from new and existing investors. The funding will support Phase I/II trials for its CLDN1-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), ALE.P02 and ALE.P03, expected to begin in 2025. CEO Roberto Iacone emphasized the transformative potential of CLDN1 therapies for solid tumors, while new board members from OrbiMed, Frazier Life Sciences, and Longitude Capital will guide the company’s development strategy forward.
Full Article: Alentis Therapeutics Series D Investment
Novartis Partners with Ratio Therapeutics for $745M Radiopharma Collaboration, Nov 18, 2024
Novartis has entered a $745 million collaboration with Boston-based Ratio Therapeutics to develop a radiopharmaceutical drug targeting somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) in cancer. Radiotherapeutics, which deliver radiation therapy directly to cancer cells, are gaining traction. This partnership aligns with Novartis' strategy to strengthen its radiopharmaceutical pipeline, with Ratio bringing its expertise in radioligand therapy discovery while Novartis will lead development and commercialization.
Full Article: Novartis Radiopharma Collaboration
Anixa Biosciences Initiates Dosing in Third Cohort of Ovarian Cancer CAR-T Trial, Nov 18, 2024
Anixa Biosciences has dosed the first patient in the third cohort of its Phase 1 clinical trial for a novel CAR-T therapy targeting FSHR in recurrent ovarian cancer. Conducted in partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center, the trial has shown no dose-limiting toxicities in earlier cohorts. The third cohort involves a tenfold dose increase from the initial cohort. Notably, a patient from the first cohort showed tumor necrosis, T-cell infiltration, and stability for over a year. Anixa has proposed trial amendments to explore additional dosing for enhanced efficacy and durability.
Full Article: Anixa Biosciences Initiates Dosing in Third Cohort
Toragen Provides Update on Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Trial of TGN-S11, Nov 18, 2024
Toragen Inc. shared positive safety data from its ongoing Phase 1 trial of TGN-S11, a small molecule drug targeting HPV-associated cancers. In Part 1, 9 patients on monotherapy showed no safety issues, with one-third displaying tumor reductions and decreases in circulating tumor HPV DNA. In Part 2, combining TGN-S11 with Keytruda®, 3 patients showed no safety concerns, with 2 exhibiting tumor reductions, including a 93% ctHPV DNA decrease in one patient. Toragen aims to complete the trial by the end of 2024.
Full Article: Toragen Provides Update on Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Trial
Trogenix Unveils Revolutionary Platform to Transform Cancer Treatment, Nov 18, 2024
Trogenix Ltd has unveiled its Synthetic Super-Enhancer (SSE) platform, a breakthrough in targeting aggressive cancers with unprecedented precision. Spun out from the University of Edinburgh and backed by 4BIO Capital, the platform delivers localized, curative treatments by targeting cancer cell states, activating the immune system, and sparing healthy cells. Its lead program for glioblastoma has shown curative preclinical responses with no toxicity, with Phase 1/2 trials planned for 2025. With a pipeline targeting multiple cancers and a world-class leadership team, Trogenix is poised to transform cancer treatment.
Full Article: Trogenix Unveils Revolutionary Platform to Transform Cancer Treatment
Byondis Appoints Louis Denis, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, Nov 19, 2024
Byondis B.V. has appointed Louis Denis, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, bringing over 30 years of oncology expertise and clinical development leadership. Dr. Denis, previously CMO at Verastem Oncology and Asana BioSciences, will help advance Byondis' pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates and targeted therapeutics. CEO Jacques Lemmens emphasized Dr. Denis’ invaluable role in accelerating their innovative cancer treatments to patients.
Full Article: Byondis Appoints Louis Denis, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer
Amgen Announces Senior Executive Research Appointment, Nov 20, 2024
Amgen has announced that Howard Chang, M.D., Ph.D., will join the company as Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer, effective December 16, 2024. Chang will oversee research priorities in rare disease, oncology, inflammation, and cardiometabolic therapeutic areas. He will lead operations across Amgen’s research hubs globally. Amgen's Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Jay Bradner, highlighted Chang's expertise in human genetics and his groundbreaking research in gene control, cancer biology, and stem cell biology. Chang succeeds Ray Deshaies, Ph.D., who departed earlier this year.
Full Article: Amgen Announces Senior Executive Research Appointment
Pfizer Announces New Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D, Nov 20, 2024
Pfizer Inc. has announced the appointment of Chris Boshoff, M.D., PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research & Development, effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Boshoff, currently Chief Oncology Officer, will succeed Dr. Mikael Dolsten and will oversee all of Pfizer’s R&D functions. Under his leadership, Oncology has become a key division for Pfizer, with 24 innovative medicines and biosimilars delivered in over 30 indications. The company also announced the appointment of Dr. Roger Dansey as Interim Chief Oncology Officer and Johanna Bendell as Chief Development Officer for Oncology, starting in 2025.
Full Article: Pfizer Announces New Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D
Pyxis Oncology Announces Favorable Preliminary PYX-201 Data, Nov 20, 2024
Pyxis Oncology, Inc. has announced positive preliminary data from its ongoing Phase 1 trial of PYX-201, a first-in-concept antibody-drug conjugate targeting Extradomain-B Fibronectin in solid tumors. The trial showed clinical responses across six tumor types, including HNSCC, ovarian cancer, and TNBC. The company also revealed a Clinical Trial Collaboration Agreement with Merck to combine PYX-201 with KEYTRUDA® in several cancers. The results, demonstrating safety and promising efficacy, suggest potential for PYX-201 in both monotherapy and combination therapies, with expansion studies set to begin in 2025.
Full Article: Pyxis Oncology Announces Favorable Preliminary PYX-201 Data
OneCell Diagnostics Raises $16M in Series A, Nov 21, 2024
OneCell Diagnostics has raised $16 million in a Series A round led by Celesta Capital, with participation from Tenacity Ventures, Cedars Sinai, Eragon, and Singularity Ventures. The funds will support the US expansion of OncoIndx Alfa, its next-gen liquid biopsy test leveraging AI/ML and multi-omics biomarkers for precision cancer diagnosis and monitoring. With nearly 10,000 patients tested in India, partnerships with institutions like Harvard Medical School and AIIMS, and a mission to make life-saving cancer testing accessible, OneCell is poised to revolutionize oncology diagnostics.
Full Article: OneCell Diagnostics Raises $16M in Series A
Eisbach Bio Relocates to Houston with $4.75M Grant for Phase II Trials, Nov 22, 2024
German biotech Eisbach Bio will move to Houston, supported by a $4.75 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The funding backs Phase II trials of EIS-12656, a therapy targeting homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) tumors, conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center. HRD, linked to genomic instability in cancers like advanced ovarian cancer, is a key focus of Eisbach's transformative approach to cancer treatment. CPRIT also allocated $89 million in funding for cancer research and prevention across various institutions, bolstering Texas's role as an innovation hub.
Full Article: Eisbach Bio Relocates to Houston with $4.75M Grant
