CureVac Reports Positive Phase 1 Data for mRNA Cancer Vaccine in Glioblastoma, Nov 24, 2024
CureVac SE announced positive results from its Phase 1 trial of CVGBM, an investigational mRNA cancer vaccine targeting glioblastoma. The vaccine demonstrated tumor-associated antigen-specific immune responses in 77% of HLA-A*02:01-positive patients with MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma. It was well tolerated across dose levels, with most treatment-related adverse events being mild to moderate. Based on the immune response and safety data, the 100 μg dose has been selected for the dose-expansion phase.
Full Article: Cancer Vaccine Elicits Immune Responses in Glioblastoma
Adcendo Secures $135 Million in Series B Funding to Advance ADC Pipeline, Nov 25, 2024
Adcendo ApS raised $135 million in an oversubscribed Series B financing round, led by TCGX, to accelerate its first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs. The funding will advance ADCE-T02 and ADCE-D01, targeting cancers with high unmet needs, and support clinical development to drive progress in cancer treatments.
Full Article: Adcendo Raises $135M to Advance ADC Pipeline
IMUNON Receives FDA Backing for Phase 3 Trial of IL-12 Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer, Nov 25, 2024
IMUNON, Inc. received FDA support for the Phase 3 trial design of IMNN-001, an IL-12 immunotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer. The therapy demonstrated positive Phase 2 results, showing improved survival when combined with chemotherapy. The 500-patient Phase 3 trial is set to begin in Q1 2025.
Full Article: IMUNON Advances Phase 3 Trial for Ovarian Cancer
Roche’s TIGIT Inhibitor Fails Phase 3 Trial in Advanced Lung Cancer, Nov 26, 2024
Roche’s Phase 3 SKYSCRAPER-01 trial of tiragolumab, a TIGIT inhibitor, in combination with Tecentriq for PD-L1-high advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) failed to show a survival benefit. Despite interim optimism, the final analysis showed no significant overall survival improvement. Roche plans to explore TIGIT therapies in other cancer types.
Full Article: Roche’s TIGIT Inhibitor Fails Phase 3 Trial
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Expands Phase 2 Trial for Ropidoxuridine in Glioblastoma, Nov 26, 2024
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals has expanded its Phase 2 trial of Ropidoxuridine (IPdR) for glioblastoma, enrolling patients at UVA Cancer Center. The trial will evaluate Ropidoxuridine in combination with radiation therapy for patients with aggressive glioblastomas. The goal is to determine the optimal dosing and assess survival outcomes.
Full Article: Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Expands Glioblastoma Trial
Roche Acquires Poseida Therapeutics for $1.5 Billion, Nov 26, 2024
Roche has acquired Poseida Therapeutics for up to $1.5 billion, adding Poseida’s CAR-T therapies and genetic engineering platform to its pipeline. The acquisition will strengthen Roche’s immune cell therapies targeting blood cancers. Poseida’s technology complements Roche's immuno-oncology efforts.
Full Article: Roche Acquires Poseida Therapeutics
SELLAS Life Sciences Announces Positive Preclinical Data for SLS009, Nov 27, 2024
SELLAS Life Sciences reported promising preclinical data showing that ASXL1 mutations predict a positive response to its CDK9 inhibitor, SLS009, in solid tumors like colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. SLS009 demonstrated high efficacy, outperforming the positive control in most tested cell lines. SELLAS has filed for patent protection for this approach.
Full Article: SELLAS Life Sciences Announces Positive Preclinical Data
Kronos Bio Announces Workforce Reduction and CEO Change, Nov 27, 2024
Kronos Bio will lay off 83% of its workforce and restructure after shelving its clinical asset istisociclib due to safety concerns. CEO Norbert Bischofberger will step down, with COO and CFO Deborah Knobelman taking over as interim CEO. The company is exploring business combinations and asset divestitures to secure its future.
Full Article: Kronos Bio Announces Workforce Reduction and CEO Change
Allink Biotherapeutics Raises $42 Million to Accelerate Clinical Trials, Nov 28, 2024
Allink Biotherapeutics has raised $42 million in Series A financing led by Lanchi Ventures. The funding will support the Phase 1 trials of its lead candidates ALK201 and ALK202, as well as enhance its oncology and immunology pipeline. The company is focused on advancing its next-generation bispecific antibody and ADC therapeutics.
Full Article: Allink Biotherapeutics Raises $42 Million
Medivir Completes Phase Ib/IIa Study for Fostrox in Liver Cancer, Nov 29, 2024
Medivir has concluded its Phase Ib/IIa study of fostrox in combination with Lenvima for advanced liver cancer. The study showed a median time to progression of 10.9 months, exceeding expectations for second-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. Medivir is now preparing a Phase IIb trial with an extended collaboration with Eisai to establish fostrox + Lenvima as the first approved second-line therapy for HCC.
Full Article: Medivir Completes Phase Ib/IIa Study
Fate Therapeutics Announces Leadership Transition, Nov 29, 2024
Fate Therapeutics has announced a leadership change, with CEO Scott Wolchko stepping down at the end of 2024. Bob Valamehr, Ph.D., the company's current R&D lead, will assume the role of CEO in January 2025. The leadership transition comes as Fate continues to focus on advancing its iPSC-derived cellular immunotherapies.z
Full Article: Fate Therapeutics Announces Leadership Transition
