Ottimo Pharma - C-Suite Changes, Oct 28, 2024
David Epstein, former CEO of Seagen, has joined Ottimo Pharma as chairman and CEO, aiming to advance the startup’s innovative cancer therapy. Ottimo is developing a bi-functional antibody, jankistomig, which targets both PD-1 and VEGFR2, potentially enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy with reduced side effects. Supported by U.K. venture firm Medicxi, Ottimo plans to seek regulatory approval next year to begin clinical trials. Epstein, along with former Boehringer CMO Mehdi Shahidi as head of development and Roche's James Sabry as vice chairman, aims to bring this dual-target approach to a broad range of solid tumors, marking a promising step forward in cancer treatment.
Full Article: Seagen’s former chief David Epstein joins cancer immunotherapy biotech Ottimo
Blue Earth Therapeutics - Series A Investment, Oct 30, 2024
Blue Earth Therapeutics, focused on radioligand therapies for prostate cancer, closed a $76.5M Series A round led by Soleus Capital, Sands Capital Management, and Bracco Imaging SpA. This funding accelerates Blue Earth’s clinical-stage PSMA-targeted agents, beta emitter Lutetium (177Lu) rhPSMA-10.1 and alpha emitter Actinium (225Ac) rhPSMA-10.1, aimed at delivering high radiation doses to tumors with minimal impact on healthy organs. CEO David Gauden emphasized the company’s strides, with Phase 1 trials completed and plans for further advancements. With a supportive board and new investors, Blue Earth is positioned to enhance treatment options in prostate cancer.
Numab Therapeutics - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 30, 2024
Numab Therapeutics AG has started a Phase 1 trial for NM32, a tri-specific T-cell engager targeting ROR1 and CD3 with an albumin-binding element for extended dosing. Developed through Numab’s Lambda-capTM and MATCHTM platforms, NM32 aims to enhance T-cell recognition and tumor destruction with minimal impact on normal tissue. CEO David Urech, Ph.D., highlights NM32’s potential for providing durable anti-tumor effects with a strong safety profile, addressing the limited success of similar therapies in solid tumors. The study will enroll up to 60 U.S. patients, assessing NM32's pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety in ROR1-positive tumors.
Full Article: Numab Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Study of NM32 Program in Patients with Solid Tumors
Akeso Biopharma - Clinical Trial Updates, Oct 31, 2024
Akeso Biopharma (9926.HK) has initiated its AK112-309 Phase III trial, enrolling the first patient to evaluate ivonescimab, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, against durvalumab for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). Building on promising Phase II results showing a 63.6% objective response rate and a median overall survival of 16.8 months in gallbladder cancer, this trial aims to establish a new standard for first-line BTC treatment and improve survival outcomes for this challenging malignancy.
Kivu Bioscience - Series A Investment, Oct 31, 2024
Kivu Bioscience, a biotech startup developing next-gen ADCs for solid tumors, emerged from stealth with $92M in Series A funding led by Novo Holdings. Using Synaffix's technology licensed from Lonza, Kivu aims to enhance ADC stability, minimizing off-target toxicity. CEO Mohit Trikha highlighted that Kivu’s approach seeks to widen the therapeutic window, allowing higher, more targeted doses while reducing side effects, enabling patients to stay on treatment. Kivu plans to initiate a Phase 1 trial for its lead candidate, KIVU-107, targeting solid tumors, in 2025.
Full Article: Precision oncology startup Kivu Bioscience lands $92M to develop next-gen ADC cancer drugs
