BriaCell - Positive Trial Data, Oct 22, 2024
BriaCell Therapeutics announced positive survival data from its Phase 2 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) study, with a one-year survival rate of 55% for patients treated with the Bria-IMT regimen, surpassing current standards. Notable cases include patients surviving up to 25 months despite multiple prior treatments. This data suggests improved outcomes compared to conventional therapies, particularly in patients with advanced disease. The findings support further investigation in BriaCell's ongoing Phase 3 trial, with interim results expected in 2025, focusing on overall survival as the primary endpoint.
Full Article: BriaCell Reports Outperforming Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients and Standard Beating Survival Data
AvenCell Therapeutics - Series B Investment, Oct 22, 2024
AvenCell Therapeutics raised $112M in Series B funding, led by Novo Holdings, to advance its switchable CAR-T cell therapy platform, allowing CAR-T cells to be turned on or off post-administration. Founded in 2021 and operating in Massachusetts and Germany, AvenCell plans to bring multiple candidates into clinical trials within two years.
Full Article: AvenCell Therapeutics Raises $112M in Series B Financing
Alpha-9 Oncology - Series C Investment, Oct 23, 2024
Alpha-9 Oncology has raised $175 million in a Series C funding round to support its clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical drugs, though specific details of its pipeline remain unclear. The Canadian company aims to advance its therapies targeting multiple tumor types, including a Phase 1 radiodiagnostic trial for imaging melanoma. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Ascenta Capital, with participation from new and returning investors. Alpha-9 highlights its unique approach to radiopharma development with a specialized toolbox for molecule design.
Full Article: Alpha-9 Raises $175M in Series C to Bankroll Clinical-Stage Radiopharma Drugs
Smart Immune - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 23, 2024
Smart Immune has set the recommended dose for its lead candidate, SMART101, at 9 million cells per kg following the successful dose escalation of the ReSET-02 trial, which showed no toxicities or severe adverse events in adult patients with hematological malignancies. This strong safety profile supports its advancement to the randomized phase of the study and upcoming trials in solid tumors, with promising preliminary data on immune recovery.
Full Article: Smart Immune Announces Recommended SMART101 Dose for Adult Cancer Proof-of-Concept Trials
Alphina Therapeutics - C-Suite Changes, Oct 23, 2024
Alphina Therapeutics has appointed Nick Galli as CEO and board member, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, where he has helped raise over $450 million in capital. He succeeds Barbara S. Fox, Ph.D., who will transition to chair of the board. Galli, previously COO at Interline Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about advancing Alphina's NAMPT inhibitor program, aiming for clinical entry in the next 18 months. His extensive background includes leadership roles at CytomX Therapeutics and Denali Therapeutics, as well as experience at Johnson & Johnson and Genentech.
Full Article: Alphina Therapeutics Names Nick Galli as CEO
March Biosciences - Series A Investment, Oct 23, 2024
March Biosciences raised $28.4M in an oversubscribed Series A round, led by Mission BioCapital and 4BIO Capital, to fund a Phase II trial of its CAR T-cell therapy, MB-105, for CD5-positive T-cell lymphoma. This financing, totaling over $51M, supports March Bio’s plans to advance MB-105, optimize manufacturing with Volnay Therapeutics, and expand its pipeline.
Full Article: March Biosciences Raises $28.4M in Series Financing
Epitopea - Series A Investment, Oct 24, 2024
Epitopea, a transatlantic cancer immunotherapy company, secured $31M in pre-Series A funding to accelerate development of its off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies targeting hard-to-treat tumors. New investors include Investissement Québec and adMare BioInnovations, joining existing backers like Advent Life Sciences. This funding supports Epitopea's plans for preclinical discovery and clinical development, aiming for its first clinical trials by 2026.
Full Article: Epitopea Closes USD 31 Million Pre-Series A Financing
ImmunityBio - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 24, 2024
ImmunityBio, Inc. has dosed the first patients in its QUILT 106 Phase 1 trial of a CAR-NK cell therapy targeting CD19 for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in South Africa. This trial, the first NK cell therapy study in the country, investigates CD19 t-haNK cells alone, followed by their combination with rituximab in relapsed or refractory CD19+ and CD20+ B-cell NHL. Targeting an underserved population, this study emphasizes the need for innovative treatments for Sub-Saharan African communities, where NHL is highly prevalent. Full enrollment is anticipated by early 2025, with topline results expected in the second half of the year.
Full Article: First Patients Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Study of ImmunityBio’s CAR-NK Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Relapsed B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Elicera Therapeutics - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 24, 2024
Elicera Therapeutics AB has completed enrollment for its Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating ELC-100 (AdVince), an oncolytic virus-based therapy, in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Sponsored by Uppsala University, the study includes a dose-escalation phase to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and assess preliminary efficacy across four dose levels. The last of the twelve patients has started treatment, and initial results are expected in the first half of 2025. Based on these findings, Elicera will develop a strategy for ELC-100’s further clinical advancement.
Full Article: Elicera Therapeutics Enrolls the Last Patient in the Clinical Phase I/II Trial with Oncolytic Virus
Bicycle Therapeutics - Company Updates, Oct 24, 2024
Bicycle Therapeutics presented data at EANM 2024 validating MT1-MMP as a novel cancer target and showcasing the potential of its Bicycle Radionuclide Conjugates (BRC) for radiopharmaceuticals. Using its proprietary bicyclic peptide platform, Bicycle advances targeted cancer treatments, with optimized isotope delivery and strategic partnerships like the one with Eckert & Ziegler for BRC targeting EphA2. This positions Bicycle to lead in developing next-gen radiopharmaceutical therapies.
Full Article: Bicycle Switches On to Radiopharma in New Cancer Breakthrough
Jubilant Therapeutics - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 25, 2024
Jubilant Therapeutics Inc. has commenced global trials for two precision oncology therapies: JBI-802, a dual LSD1/HDAC6 inhibitor in a Phase I/II trial for hematologic cancers, and JBI-778, a PRMT5 inhibitor in a Phase I trial targeting solid tumors including TKI-resistant NSCLC, IDH+ high-grade glioma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. JBI-802 demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity and manageable safety in earlier studies, showing potential in conditions like Essential Thrombocythemia. JBI-778, designed for brain penetration, aims to overcome limitations of prior PRMT5 inhibitors. Preliminary clinical data for both candidates are anticipated in 2025, advancing treatments for high unmet needs.
Full Article: Jubilant Therapeutics Inc. Announces First Patient Dosing in Global Clinical Trials for JBI-802 and JBI-778
