Adaptimmune and Galapagos Sign Clinical Collaboration Agreement with an Option to Exclusively License Adaptimmune's TCR T-cell Therapy Candidate, uza-cel, in Head & Neck Cancer and Potential Future Solid Tumor Indications
Adaptimmune | May 30, 2024
Adaptimmune and Galapagos to conduct clinical proof-of-concept trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of uza-cel (next-generation MAGE-A4 TCR T-cell therapy) produced on Galapagos' decentralized manufacturing platform in patients with head & neck cancer
Uza-cel has shown encouraging results in head & neck cancer with partial responses in four out of five patients to date in a Phase 1 trial using Adaptimmune's centralized manufacturing platform
Initial in vitro testing of uza-cel produced on Galapagos' decentralized manufacturing platform has shown encouraging data that support further clinical development
Adaptimmune to receive initial payments of $100 million, comprising $70 million upfront and $30 million of R&D funding, option exercise fees of up to $100 million, additional development and sales milestone payments of up to a maximum of $465 million, plus tiered royalties on net sales
Galapagos has been granted an option to exclusively license uza-cel for global development and commercialization in head & neck cancer, and potential future solid tumor cancer indications
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Oxford, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2024) - Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ: ADAP), and Galapagos NV (NA: GLPG) (NASDAQ: GLPG) announced today that they have entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with an option to exclusively license Adaptimmune's next-generation TCR T-cell therapy (uza-cel) targeting MAGE-A4 for head & neck cancer and potential future solid tumor indications, using Galapagos' decentralized cell manufacturing platform.
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Corvus Pharmaceuticals Announces Pricing of $30.6 Million Registered Direct Offering
Corvus | May 2, 2024
BURLINGAME, Calif., May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Corvus or the Company) (Nasdaq: CRVS) (GLOBAL NEWSWIRE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with new and existing investors to raise approximately $30.6 million dollars in aggregate gross proceeds through the sale of shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and pre-funded warrants to purchase Common Stock in lieu thereof (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”), and accompanying common warrants to purchase Common Stock (or Pre-Funded warrants in lieu thereof) (the “Common Warrants,” and together with the Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants, the “Securities”), excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Common Warrants and before deducting offering expenses.
The offering includes participation from health-care dedicated investors including Point72, Samlyn Capital, Armistice Capital, OrbiMed, Puissance Capital and Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings, and other existing investors including Richard Miller, the Company’s chief executive officer.
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Deciphera Pharmaceuticals to be Acquired by ONO Pharmaceutical For $2.4 Billion
Deciphera | April 29, 2024
Deciphera Shareholders to Receive $25.60 per Share in Cash
Deciphera’s Kinase Inhibitor Expertise and Established Commercialization Platform in Key Markets Will Reinforce ONO Pharmaceutical’s Pipeline and Accelerate Global Reach
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 29, 2024-- Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCPH), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing important new medicines to improve the lives of people with cancer, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (ONO), under which ONO will acquire all outstanding shares of Deciphera common stock for $25.60 per share in cash through a tender offer followed by a merger of Deciphera with a wholly-owned subsidiary of ONO (the “Acquisition”), for a total equity value of $2.4 billion. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.
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Akero Therapeutics Reports Statistically Significant Histological Improvements at Week 96 in Phase 2b HARMONY Study
Akero | March 4, 2024
50mg (75%, p<0.001) and 28mg (46%, p=0.07) EFX groups demonstrated ≥1 stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of MASH, approximately three- and two-fold the placebo rate (24%)
50mg (36%, p<0.01) and 28mg (31%, p<0.01) EFX groups demonstrated ≥2 stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of MASH, more than 10-fold the placebo rate (3%)
EFX-treated patients experienced statistically significant improvements on nearly all histological endpoints by ITT analysis as well as the primary analysis of patients with week 96 biopsies
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKRO), a clinical-stage company developing transformational treatments for patients with serious metabolic disease marked by high unmet medical need, today released preliminary topline week 96 results from HARMONY, a Phase 2b study evaluating the efficacy and safety of its lead product candidate efruxifermin (EFX) in patients with pre-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis stage 2 or 3 (F2-F3). The study previously met its primary endpoint of ≥1 stage improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of MASH after 24 weeks of treatment for both the 50mg EFX (41%) and 28mg EFX (39%) dose groups, compared to 20% for the placebo arm. At week 96, the response rates on this endpoint increased to 75% (p<0.001) for 50mg EFX and 46% (p=0.07) for 28mg EFX, compared to 24% for placebo.
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Iovance’s AMTAGVI™ (lifileucel) Receives U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval for Advanced Melanoma
Iovance | February 16, 2024
MTAGVI is the first FDA-approved T cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer and first treatment option for advanced melanoma after anti-PD-1 and targeted therapy
AMTAGVI deploys patient-specific immune cells that recognize and fight cancer
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a biotechnology company focused on innovating, developing and delivering novel polyclonal tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapies for patients with cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AMTAGVI™ (lifileucel) suspension for intravenous infusion. AMTAGVI is a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. This indication is approved under an accelerated approval based on overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response. Iovance is also conducting TILVANCE-301, a Phase 3 trial to confirm clinical benefit.
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Gilead Sciences Expands Liver Portfolio With Acquisition of CymaBay Therapeutics
CymaBay | February 12, 2024
Gilead Adds Seladelpar to Portfolio, a PPARδ Agonist for the Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) with FDA Priority Review and Anticipated U.S. Approval in Third Quarter of 2024
Seladelpar Phase 3 Data Demonstrates a Best-in-Disease Profile for Second-Line PBC
Acquisition Expands Gilead’s Long-Standing Commitment to Patients with Liver Diseases
FOSTER CITY, Calif. & NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) and CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBAY) announced today a definitive agreement under which Gilead will acquire CymaBay for $32.50 per share in cash or a total equity value of $4.3 billion. The addition of CymaBay’s investigational lead product candidate, seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) including pruritus, complements Gilead’s existing liver portfolio and aligns with its long-standing commitment to bringing transformational medicines to patients.
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BioNTech and Autolus Announce Strategic CAR-T Cell Therapy Collaboration to Advance Pipeline and Expand Late-Stage Programs
Autolus | February 8, 2024
Strategic alliance leverages manufacturing and commercial infrastructure as well as technology with the aim to advance both companies’ autologous CAR-T programs towards market, pending market authorization
BioNTech secures the right to utilize Autolus’ manufacturing capacity in a cost-efficient set-up to accelerate the development of BNT211 into pivotal trials in CLDN6+ tumors
BioNTech to support launch and expansion of development program of Autolus’ lead cell therapy candidate obe-cel and will receive a royalty on net sales
BioNTech has co-commercialization options for Autolus’ AUTO1/22 and AUTO6NG programs
BioNTech has the option to access a suite of Autolus target binders and cell programming technologies to support BioNTech’s development of in vivo cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugate candidates
BioNTech agrees to invest $200 million in Autolus
MAINZ, Germany and LONDON, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, “BioNTech”), a next-generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases, and Autolus Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: AUTL, “Autolus”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies, today announced a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing both companies’ autologous CAR-T programs towards commercialization, pending regulatory authorizations. In connection with the strategic collaboration, the companies entered into a license and option agreement and a securities purchase agreement.
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MeiraGTx Announces Asset Purchase Agreement Involving its AAV-RPGR Collaboration for up to $415 million
MeiraGTx | December 21, 2023
LONDON and NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MeiraGTx Holdings plc (Nasdaq: MGTX), a vertically integrated, clinical stage gene therapy company, today announced an asset purchase agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (J&J), a Johnson & Johnson company, for the remaining interests in bota-vec for the treatment of XLRP, as well as a commercial supply agreement and a technology transfer agreement for bota-vec manufacturing.
“We are very happy to announce the execution of the agreements related to bota-vec for the treatment of XLRP, which provide us with significant near-term cash as well as cash upon potential approval and commercialization of this important gene therapy, and additional revenue from the commercial manufacture of bota-vec,” said Alexandria Forbes, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MeiraGTx. “The initial $130 million upfront and near-term milestone payments, combined with the $30 million investment we received from Sanofi in October, increases our cash runway to mid-2026, without including the additional $285 million in potential payments associated with this transaction.”
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Altamont Pharma Announces Promotion of Rhozel Ocampo to Senior Vice President of Finance & Risk Management
Altamont Pharma | December 21, 2023
Dallas, Texas based Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings, LLC (“Altamont Pharma”) today announced the promotion of Rhozel Ocampo to Senior Vice President of Finance & Risk Management. Ms. Ocampo has served as Vice President of Finance & Risk Management for several years and has been with Altamont Pharma since 2018.
“Rhozel brings a deep understanding of financial strategy, capital raising for our portfolio companies, corporate strategy, operations and risk management functions in her expanded role as Altamont Pharma’s portfolio continues to increase in value,” said Mark Pearson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Altamont Pharma.
Altamont Pharma has had a successful year in a very turbulent market for biotech companies and the overall life sciences industry. Several of Altamont Pharma’s portfolio companies have announced being acquired this year, such as Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX) to be acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) for up to $5.8 billion, Orchard Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORTX) to be acquired by Kyowa Kirin for up to $477.6 million, and Iveric Bio, Inc. acquired by Astellas Pharma for $5.9 billion, along with several Altamont Pharma portfolio companies receiving FDA approval this year for their therapeutics. In addition, Cessation Therapeutics, Inc., a firm co-founded, incubated and financed out of Altamont Pharma and JDH Investment Management, LLC, received FDA approval to commence clinical trials along with receiving a Fast Track designation for its CSX-1004 for the prevention of fentanyl and fentanyl analog overdose. Cessation Therapeutics, Inc. also received a large grant from the NIDA, a division of the NIH, to support the development of a subcutaneous formulation of Cessation’s CSX-1004 SQ.
About Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings, LLC
Altamont Pharma is a biotech investment firm based in Dallas, Texas focusing on investments in private biotech startup companies, undervalued small to mid-cap publicly traded biotech companies, incubating startup biotech companies by licensing promising technologies from world-renowned research institutes and universities, as well as partnering with large pharma companies around the world. Altamont’s philosophy is to invest long-term and in the vision of the entrepreneurs and scientists striving to cure life threatening diseases and reduce the effects of chronic disease. For more information, visit www.altamontpharma.com.
Ardelyx Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Updates 2023 U.S. IBSRELA® Net Sales Revenue Guidance
Ardelyx | November 1, 2023
WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and provided a business update.
“Ardelyx is effectively advancing on all fronts with clear focus, evidenced by the continued strong performance of IBSRELA as well as the approval and commercial launch of XPHOZAH,” said Mike Raab, president and chief executive officer. “Demonstrating consistent, quarter-over-quarter growth of IBSRELA prescriptions during the third quarter, we achieved a 22 percent increase in net sales revenue. We continue to see an increase in new and repeat writers, as well as new and refill prescriptions increasing from established writers at a steady, meaningful trajectory. We have raised our full year U.S. net sales revenue guidance for IBSRELA, reflecting the important benefit this product is offering to patients. In addition, on October 17, we received our long sought after FDA approval of XPHOZAH. Our team is in the field and launch is underway. We anticipate having product in channel in early November.”
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Cessation Therapeutics Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for CSX-1004 for Prevention of Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analog Overdose
Cessation | October 31, 2023
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cessation Therapeutics, Inc. (“Cessation”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing biologics that target substances of abuse, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for CSX-1004, an investigational therapy for prevention of fentanyl-related overdose. CSX-1004 is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and works by sequestering fentanyl molecules as they enter the bloodstream, effectively neutralizing them in the blood before they reach the brain and preventing them from exerting their harmful effects.
Fast Track designation is intended to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs to treat serious and life-threatening conditions so that an investigational product can reach the market expeditiously. Features of Fast Track designation include frequent interactions with the FDA review team, and if relevant criteria are met, eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review.
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Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Top-line Results from MOTION Pivotal Phase 3 Study of Vimseltinib in Patients with Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT) and Updated Results from Phase 1/2 Study of Vimseltinib in TGCT
Deciphera | October 30, 2023
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2023-- Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCPH), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing important new medicines to improve the lives of people with cancer, today announced positive top-line results from the MOTION pivotal Phase 3 study of vimseltinib in patients with TGCT not amenable to surgery. Vimseltinib is the Company’s investigational, orally administered, potent, and highly selective switch-control kinase inhibitor of CSF1R.
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MeiraGTx Announces $30 Million Strategic Investment from Sanofi; Company Pursuing Multiple Additional Strategic Opportunities
MeiraGTx | October 30, 2023
LONDON and NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MeiraGTx Holdings plc (Nasdaq: MGTX), a vertically integrated, clinical stage gene therapy company, today announced strategic updates including that Sanofi has made a $30 million strategic investment in the Company through the purchase of 4.0 million ordinary shares at a price of $7.50 per share.
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Cessation Therapeutics Awarded $14.8 Million Grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse to Develop Novel Formulation of Anti-Fentanyl Monoclonal Antibody
Cessation | October 19, 2023
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cessation Therapeutics, Inc. (“Cessation), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing biologics that target substances of abuse, today announced that it has been awarded an additional grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, a division of the National Institutes of Health) to support development of a subcutaneous formulation of its anti-fentanyl mAb, CSX-1004 SQ. The new grant (UG3DA058544) is part of a multi-year award expected to total $14.8 million given to Cessation and McLean Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham.
CSX-1004 is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and works by sequestering fentanyl molecules as they enter the bloodstream, effectively neutralizing them in the blood before they reach the brain and preventing them from exerting their harmful effects. Through different delivery methods, the platform can be optimized to potentially protect against overdose, reverse overdose, and treat fentanyl-related opioid use disorder (OUD).
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FDA Approves XPHOZAH® (tenapanor), a First-in-Class Phosphate Absorption Inhibitor
Ardelyx | October 17, 2023
WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved XPHOZAH® (tenapanor), the first and only phosphate absorption inhibitor, indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis as add-on therapy in patients who have an inadequate response to phosphate binders or who are intolerant of any dose of phosphate binder therapy. XPHOZAH is a single tablet taken twice daily that offers a first-in-class mechanism of action that blocks phosphate absorption through its primary pathway.
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Bristol Myers Squibb buys Mirati for up to $5.8B as I-O giant branches out into targeted therapy for cancer
Fierce Pharma | Mirati | October 9, 2023
After years serving as a rumored target of Big Pharma M&A, Mirati Therapeutics has finally made its sale a reality. The buyer, Bristol Myers Squibb, will pay up to $5.8 billion for the California-based cancer drug developer, the two companies said Sunday. The price marks a 52% premium to a 30-day average of Mirati’s stock before a Bloomberg report of a potential takeover boosted the company’s market performance.
Through the acquisition, BMS will gain FDA-approved non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) drug Krazati, which the companies billed as the best-in-class KRAS G12C inhibitor.
On top of the current equity value of $4.8 billion, the deal also includes a non-tradeable contingent value right term. It promises to pay Mirati shareholders $1 billion if the FDA accepts an application for the company’s pipeline drug MRTX1719 for NSCLC in patients who’ve received no more than two prior lines of therapy within seven years of deal closure.
BMS expects to close the transaction by the first half of next year.
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Kyowa Kirin to Acquire Orchard Therapeutics
Orchard | October 5, 2023
TOKYO and LONDON and BOSTON, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE: 4151), a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company (J-GSP) creating innovative medical solutions utilizing the latest biotechnology, and Orchard Therapeutics plc (Orchard Therapeutics, Nasdaq: ORTX), a global gene therapy leader, today announced the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Kyowa Kirin will acquire Orchard Therapeutics for $16.00 per American Depositary Share (ADS) in cash (approximately $387.4 million, or ¥57.3 billion), under which Orchard shareholders will hold an additional contingent value right (CVR) of $1.00 per ADS. An additional $1.00 CVR will be paid for a total of $17.00 per ADS, or approximately $477.6 million (¥70.7 billion) if the conditions are met.
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As Impact of Substance Use Disorders Rise, So Do Innovative Solutions
BioSpace | September 18, 2023
In July, the FDA approved a first-in-human clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody investigated by Cessation Therapeutics that aims to prevent fentanyl overdose. That same month, the regulator greenlighted an over-the-counter nasal spray formulation of naloxone—a staple in reversing opioid overdose since its FDA approval in 1971—from Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a nonprofit biopharma.
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Orchard Therapeutics Announces Acceptance of Biologics License Application for OTL-200 in MLD and Receives Priority Review
Orchard | September 18, 2023
BOSTON and LONDON, Sept. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orchard Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ORTX), a global gene therapy leader, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the filing of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for OTL-200 in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) under Priority Review. The agency has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of March 18, 2024.
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CymaBay's Seladelpar Achieves High Statistical Significance for the Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in the Phase 3 RESPONSE Trial in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
CymaBay | September 7, 2023
NEWARK, Calif., Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAY), a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for patients with liver and other chronic diseases, today announced positive topline results from its Phase 3 pivotal RESPONSE study. The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of seladelpar, a potent, selective, orally active delpar or PPARδ agonist, in development for the treatment of adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The registration trial achieved the primary and all key secondary endpoints and supports advancement to regulatory discussions and filing for regulatory approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
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1st-of-Its-Kind Fentanyl Antibody Treatment Begins Human Trials as Overdose Deaths Rise
ABC7 News | Cessation Therapeutics | August 21, 2023
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A drugmaker funded by a South Bay company is about to begin human testing on a first-of-its-kind fentanyl antibody treatment as fentanyl remains the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 and the cause of 90% of overdose fatalities.
Experts say more options are needed to prevent loss of life."Despite the availability of things like narcan, which is a rescue medication, we continue to see an all-time high of overdoses throughout the country," Cessation Therapeutics CEO Tracy Woody said. "Our big news is we have something that we think will help address this public health crisis."
Born out of San Jose-based investment firm Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings, Cessation Therapeutics has developed a new monoclonal antibody therapy.
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IO Biotech, Inc. Announces $75 Million Private Placement Financing
IO Biotech | August 7, 2023
NEW YORK, Aug. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IO Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulating cancer vaccines based on its T-win® technology platform, today announced that it has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement for a private placement that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $75 million, before deducting offering expenses. The private placement includes participation from new and existing investors, including Lundbeckfonden BioCapital; Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund; Vivo Capital; Armistice Capital; Marshall Wace; Samsara BioCapital; Novo Holdings; Stonepine Capital Management; PFM Health Sciences, LP; HBM Healthcare Investments (Cayman) Limited; Pivotal Life Sciences; Sunstone Life Science Ventures; Logos Capital; Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings, LLC; and The Red Hook Fund LP; among others. Members of the company’s management team also participated in this transaction.
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Iveric Bio Receives U.S. FDA Approval for IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution), a New Treatment for Geographic Atrophy
Astellas | August 5, 2023
TOKYO, August 5, 2023 – Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, “Astellas”), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on August 4, 2023. IZERVAY, a new complement C5 inhibitor, is the only approved GA treatment with a statistically significant reduction (p<0.01) in the rate of GA progression at the 12-month primary endpoint across two Phase 3 clinical trials.
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Amygdala Neurosciences Awarded $2.0 million NIH Grant to Conduct IND Enabling Studies
Amygdala | August 1, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2023/PRNewswire/ -- Amygdala Neurosciences (a private company) has been awarded a $2.0 million NIH grant to support the project titled "Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling and Early-Stage Development of Selective, Reversible, Orally Bioavailable ALDH2 inhibitor ANS-00858 to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder." This award is made from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, an Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)).
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Cessation Therapeutics Announces Food and Drug Administration Authorization for First-in-Human Clinical Trial of Antibody for Prevention of Fentanyl Overdose
Cessation | July 27, 2023
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cessation Therapeutics, Inc., (“Cessation”) a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing biologics that target substances of abuse, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the company to initiate a clinical trial in the U.S. for CSX-1004, a monoclonal antibody designed specifically to prevent fentanyl overdose.
The clearance follows the FDA’s review and approval of Cessation’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application and serves as a launching point for Cessation’s first-in-human clinical trials. Cessation’s IND summarized years of the company’s nonclinical safety and manufacturing data and included a detailed description of the planned clinical study in humans.
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Iovance Biotherapeutics Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration Acceptance of the Biologics License Application of Lifileucel for the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
Iovance | May 26, 2023
SAN CARLOS, Calif., May 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a biotechnology company focused on innovating, developing, and delivering novel polyclonal tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its Biologics License Application (BLA) for lifileucel for patients with advanced melanoma. The FDA granted lifileucel Priority Review and assigned November 25, 2023 as the target action date for a decision under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). The FDA is not currently planning to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss this application and, after a preliminary review, has not at this time identified any potential review issues.
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Amgen and TScan Therapeutics Announce Collaboration to Identify Novel Targets in Crohn’s Disease
Amgen and TScan | May 9, 2023
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and WALTHAM, Mass., May 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and TScan Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TCRX), today announced a multi-year collaboration that will use TScan’s proprietary target discovery platform, TargetScan, to identify the antigens recognized by T cells in patients with Crohn’s disease. Under the terms of the agreement, TScan will receive a $30 million upfront payment and is eligible to earn over $500 million in success-based preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones as well as tiered single-digit royalty payments.
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Astellas Enters Into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Iveric Bio
Iveric Bio | April 30, 2023
KYO & PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 30, 2023-- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, “Astellas”) and IVERIC Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISEE, CEO: Glenn P. Sblendorio, “Iveric Bio”) today announced that on April 29, 2023 (Japan time), the Companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Astellas through Berry Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas US Holding, Inc., has agreed to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Iveric Bio for US$40.00 per share in cash for a total equity value of approximately US$5.9 billion (the “Acquisition”). In the Acquisition, Iveric Bio will become an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas. The total equity value of Iveric Bio in the Acquisition assumes that there are approximately 148.2 million outstanding shares of Iveric Bio common stock on a fully diluted basis. The purchase price represents a premium of 64% to Iveric Bio’s unaffected closing share price of US$24.33 on March 31, 2023, and a premium of 75% to Iveric Bio’s 30 trading day volume weighted average price as of March 31, 2023. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.
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GSK and SCYNEXIS Announce an Exclusive Agreement to Commercialise and Further Develop Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp), a Novel, First-in-Class Medicine to Treat Fungal Infection
Scynexis | March 30, 2023
LONDON and JERSEY CITY, N.J., March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) and SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX), today announced they have entered into an exclusive licence agreement for Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp tablets), a US FDA approved, first-in-class antifungal for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and for reduction in the incidence of recurrent VVC (RVVC). This exclusive licence agreement gives GSK rights to commercialise Brexafemme for VVC and RVVC while continuing to develop ibrexafungerp, which is in phase III clinical trials for the potential treatment of invasive candidiasis (IC), a life-threatening fungal infection.
Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will make an upfront payment to SCYNEXIS of $90 million, plus additional potential milestone-based payments totalling $503 million.
GSK will pay up to $245.5 million if specific development, regulatory, and commercial milestones associated with the IC indication are successfully completed. A further $15 million milestone will be paid upon successful US FDA approval of an additional indication.
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Sanofi to Acquire Provention Bio, Adding to Portfolio TZIELD, the First Disease-Modifying Treatment for the Delay of Stage 3 Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Provention Bio | March 13, 2023
Paris and Red Bank, N.J. March 13, 2023 Sanofi and Provention Bio, Inc., a U.S.-based, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on intercepting and preventing immune-mediated diseases including type 1 diabetes (T1D), have entered into an agreement under which Sanofi has agreed to acquire Provention Bio, Inc., for $25.00 per share in cash, representing an equity value of approximately $2.9 billion.
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Adaptimmune and TCR² Therapeutics Announce Strategic Combination to Create a Preeminent Cell Therapy Company for Solid Tumors
TCR² | March 6, 2023
PHILADELPHIA and OXFORD, U.K. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: ADAP) and TCR² Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRR), today announced entry into a definitive agreement under which Adaptimmune will combine with TCR² in an all-stock transaction to create a preeminent cell therapy company focused on treating solid tumors. The combination provides extensive benefits for clinical development and product delivery supported by complementary technology platforms. As a result, and following the closing of the transaction, it is anticipated that the combined company’s cash runway will extend into 2026.
The lead clinical franchises for the combined company utilize engineered T-cell therapies targeting MAGE-A4 and mesothelin. These targets are expressed on a broad range of solid tumors and are supported by compelling early- and late-stage clinical data. The combined company also has a preclinical pipeline of additional target opportunities with development initially focused on PRAME and CD70.
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Cessation Therapeutics’ Anti-Fentanyl Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Shows Promise in Protecting Against Fentanyl-Induced Overdose
pre-IPO Pharma | February 28, 2023
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cessation Therapeutics (“Cessation”), an early-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immunobiologics for preventing and treating fentanyl overdose, today announced a new study demonstrating that its pioneering anti-fentanyl monoclonal antibody treatment, CSX-1004, may provide robust and durable protection from life-threatening respiratory depression caused by high doses of fentanyl.
The findings come from the company’s ongoing series of proof-of-concept studies in non-human primates. Funded in part by a grant (U01DA051071) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (NIH HEAL Initiative), the studies are designed to assess the antibody’s ability to block the respiratory depressant effect of fentanyl, the attribute of the drug that is ultimately the cause of death in an overdose scenario.
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Iveric Bio Announces FDA Accepts New Drug Application and Grants Priority Review for Avacincaptad Pegol for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy
Iveric Bio | February 16, 2023
PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2023-- IVERIC bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISEE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its filing review and accepted the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for avacincaptad pegol (ACP), a novel investigational complement C5 inhibitor for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The NDA has been granted Priority Review with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of August 19, 2023. The company also announced that, at this time, the FDA has not identified any potential review issues and the FDA is not currently planning to hold an Advisory Committee meeting for ACP.
“The FDA’s acceptance of our NDA and Priority Review for avacincaptad pegol bring us another significant step closer to delivering a much-needed treatment to AMD patients living with GA,” said Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer of Iveric Bio. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the FDA throughout the review process.”
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Galera Therapeutics Announces Pricing of Registered Direct Offering of $30 Million of Common Stock and Warrants
Galera | February 15, 2023
MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, today announced that it has agreed to sell 14,320,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 14,320,000 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering at a combined offering price of $2.095 per share and accompanying warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.97 per share of common stock. The gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be approximately $30 million, before placement agent fees and offering expenses. All shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock to be sold in the offering will be sold by Galera. The warrants will be exercisable immediately following their issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The offering is expected to close on or about February 17, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.
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Galera Announces FDA Acceptance and Priority Review of Avasopasem NDA for Radiotherapy-Induced Severe Oral Mucositis
Galera | February 15, 2023
MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing and granted priority review to the New Drug Application (NDA) for avasopasem manganese for radiotherapy (RT)-induced severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing standard-of-care treatment. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to reduce SOM for these patients. With the 6-month priority review designation, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date assigned by the FDA for this NDA is August 9, 2023. The FDA indicated in its acceptance of filing letter that it is not planning to hold an advisory committee meeting on the application.
The FDA previously granted Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations to avasopasem for the reduction of SOM induced by RT.
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Pliant Therapeutics Announces Closing of Upsized Public Offering and Full Exercise of the Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares
Pliant | January 27, 2023
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis, today announced the closing of its previously announced upsized underwritten public offering of 9,583,334 shares of its common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase 1,250,000 additional shares, at a price to the public of $30.00 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $287.5 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by Pliant. All shares of common stock were offered by Pliant.
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Pliant Therapeutics Announces Positive Data from the INTEGRIS-IPF Phase 2a Trial Demonstrating Bexotegrast 320 mg was Well Tolerated and Achieved Statistically Significant FVC Increase in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pliant | January 22, 2023
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced 12-week interim data from the 320 mg dose group of INTEGRIS-IPF, a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a clinical trial of bexotegrast (PLN-74809) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The 320 mg group met its primary and secondary endpoints demonstrating that bexotegrast was well tolerated over a 12-week treatment period and displayed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The trial’s exploratory efficacy endpoints assessed changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), Quantitative Lung Fibrosis (QLF) imaging and biomarkers. Bexotegrast at 320 mg demonstrated a statistically significant mean increase in FVC from baseline at all timepoints, surpassing all lower dose cohorts, and showed a strong treatment effect on FVC percent predicted (FVCpp), QLF and profibrotic biomarkers versus placebo at 12 weeks.
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FDA Grants Appeal for Ardelyx's XPHOZAH® (tenapanor)
Ardelyx | December 29, 2022
WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, today announced that the Office of New Drugs (OND), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the appeal to the Complete Response Letter (CRL) for the New Drug Application (NDA) for XPHOZAH.
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Galera Submits New Drug Application for Avasopasem for Severe Oral Mucositis
Galera | December 12, 2022
MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, today announced the submission of its New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for avasopasem for radiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing standard-of-care treatment. The FDA has granted Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations to avasopasem for the reduction of SOM induced by radiotherapy. SOM is characterized by the inability to eat solid food or drink liquids and may require the surgical placement of feeding tubes to maintain nutrition and hydration. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to reduce SOM for these patients.
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Ardelyx Announces FDA Advisory Committee Votes that the Benefits of XPHOZAH® (tenapanor) Outweigh its Risks for the Control of Serum Phosphorus in Adult Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Dialysis
Ardelyx | November 16, 2022
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, today announced the vote of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee (CRDAC) meeting for XPHOZAH for the control of serum phosphorus in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. The CRDAC voted nine to four that the benefits of treatment with XPHOZAH outweigh its risks for the control of serum phosphorus in adults with CKD on dialysis when administered as a monotherapy and voted ten to two, with one abstention, that the benefits of treatment with XPHOZAH in combination with phosphate binder treatment outweigh its risks.
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Iveric Bio Announces Positive Topline Data from Zimura® GATHER2 Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Geographic Atrophy
Iveric | September 6, 2022
PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 6, 2022-- IVERIC bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISEE) today announced positive topline results from GATHER2, the Company’s second Phase 3 clinical trial of Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol), a novel investigational complement C5 inhibitor, for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA). GATHER2 met its prespecified primary endpoint of mean rate of growth (slope) in GA area at 12 months with statistical significance and a favorable safety profile.
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Amgen to Acquire ChemoCentryx for $4 Billion in Cash
ChemoCentryx | August 4, 2022
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and SAN CARLOS, Calif., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and ChemoCentryx, Inc., (NASDAQ: CCXI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on orally administered therapeutics to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer, today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Amgen will acquire ChemoCentryx for $52 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of approximately $3.7 billion.
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Pliant Therapeutics Announces Closing of Upsized Public Offering and Full Exercise of the Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares
Pliant | July 15, 2022
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis, today announced the closing of its previously announced upsized underwritten public offering of 12,432,432 shares of its common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase 1,621,621 additional shares, at a price to the public of $18.50 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $230.0 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by Pliant. All shares of common stock were offered by Pliant.
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Pliant Therapeutics Announces Positive Safety and Efficacy Data from Phase 2a INTEGRIS-IPF Clinical Trial of PLN-74809 in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pliant | July 10, 2022
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), today announced positive data from INTEGRIS-IPF, a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a clinical trial of PLN-74809 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The trial met its primary and secondary endpoints demonstrating that PLN-74809 was well tolerated over a 12-week treatment period and displayed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The trial’s exploratory efficacy endpoints assessing changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) and Quantitative Lung Fibrosis (QLF) imaging, demonstrated a dose-dependent treatment effect on FVC and QLF versus placebo over 12 weeks in PLN-74809 treated patients.
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Xeris Biopharma Announces U.S. FDA Approval of Recorlev® (levoketoconazole) for the Treatment of Endogenous Hypercortisolemia in Adult Patients With Cushing’s Syndrome
Xeris | December 30, 2021
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2021-- Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: XERS), a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing unique therapies for patient populations in endocrinology, neurology, and gastroenterology, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Recorlev® (levoketoconazole) for the treatment of endogenous hypercortisolemia in adult patients with Cushing’s syndrome for whom surgery is not an option or has not been curative.
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Krystal Biotech Announces Positive Topline Results from GEM-3 Pivotal Trial of VYJUVEK™ in Patients with Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Krystal Biotech | November 29, 2021
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Krystal Biotech, Inc., (“Krystal”) (NASDAQ: KRYS), the leader in redosable gene therapies for rare diseases, today announced positive topline results from the pivotal GEM-3 trial of investigational beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC), now known as VYJUVEKTM, for the treatment of dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (dystrophic EB).
The primary endpoint of the trial evaluated complete wound healing of topical VYJUVEKTM compared to placebo at six-month timepoints and met statistical significance. VYJUVEKTM is the first non-invasive, topical and redosable gene therapy in development, and the only genetically corrective approach to treat dystrophic EB that has successfully completed a double blinded Phase 3 trial.
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ChemoCentryx Announces FDA Approval of TAVNEOS™ (avacopan) in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
ChemoCentryx | October 8, 2021
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Oct. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChemoCentryx, Inc., (Nasdaq: CCXI), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TAVNEOS (avacopan), an orally administered selective complement 5a receptor inhibitor, as an adjunctive treatment of adult patients with severe active anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (also known as ANCA-associated vasculitis or ANCA vasculitis), specifically granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) (the two main forms of ANCA vasculitis), in combination with standard therapy. ANCA-associated vasculitis is a systemic autoimmune disease in which over-activation of the complement system further activates neutrophils, leading to inflammation and eventual destruction of small blood vessels. This results in organ damage and failure, with the kidney as the major target, and is often fatal if not treated.
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AbbVie and REGENXBIO Announce Eye Care Collaboration
REGENXBIO | September 13, 2021
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX) today announced a partnership to develop and commercialize RGX-314, a potential one-time gene therapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other chronic retinal diseases. RGX-314 is currently being evaluated in patients with wet AMD in a pivotal trial utilizing subretinal delivery, and in patients with wet AMD and DR in two separate Phase II clinical trials utilizing in-office suprachoroidal delivery.
Under the collaboration, REGENXBIO will be responsible for completion of the ongoing trials of RGX-314. AbbVie and REGENXBIO will collaborate and share costs on additional trials of RGX-314, including the planned second pivotal trial evaluating subretinal delivery for the treatment of wet AMD and future trials. AbbVie will lead the clinical development and commercialization of RGX-314 globally. REGENXBIO shall participate in U.S. commercialization efforts as provided under a mutually agreed upon commercialization plan.
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will pay REGENXBIO a $370 million upfront payment with the potential for REGENXBIO to receive up to $1.38 billion in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones. REGENXBIO and AbbVie will share equally in profits from net sales of RGX-314 in the U.S. AbbVie will pay REGENXBIO tiered royalties on net sales of RGX-314 outside the U.S. In addition, REGENXBIO will lead the manufacturing of RGX-314 for clinical development and U.S. commercial supply, and AbbVie will lead manufacturing of RGX-314 for commercial supply outside the U.S.
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Sanofi to Acquire Kadmon to Further Strengthen Growth of Transplant Business
Kadmon | September 7, 2021
ARIS, FRANCE and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2021 / Sanofi has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:KDMN) a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and markets transformative therapies for disease areas of significant unmet medical needs. The acquisition supports Sanofi's strategy to continue to grow its General Medicines core assets and will immediately add Rezurock™ (belumosudil) to its transplant portfolio. Rezurock is a recently FDA-approved, first-in-class treatment for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) for adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older who have failed at least two prior lines of systemic therapy.
Shareholders of Kadmon common stock will receive $9.50 per share in cash, which represents a total equity value of approximately $1.9 billion (on a fully diluted basis). The Sanofi and Kadmon Boards of Directors unanimously approved the transaction.
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Xeris Pharmaceuticals Announces Approval of Supplemental New Drug Application (SNDA) Of Gvoke® Kit for the Treatment of Severe Hypoglycemia
Xeris | August 23, 2021
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2021-- Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: XERS), a pharmaceutical company leveraging its novel formulation technology platforms to develop and commercialize ready-to-use injectable drug formulations, today announced that its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) of Gvoke® Kit was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes ages 2 years and above. Gvoke Kit will be available as a 1 mg/0.2 mL single dose vial and syringe kit. Gvoke Kit contains one (1) single-dose sterile syringe with markings for 0.1 mL (0.5 mg pediatric dose) and 0.2 mL (1 mg adult dose), and one single-dose vial containing 0.2 mL of solution. With this FDA approval, Xeris will begin manufacturing scale up immediately, and therefore anticipates Gvoke Kit availability early in the first quarter of 2022.
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Cara Therapeutics and Vifor Pharma announce U.S. FDA approval of KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) injection for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus in hemodialysis patients
Cara | August 23, 2021
STAMFORD, Conn. and ST. GALLEN, Switzerland, Aug. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cara Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CARA) and Vifor Pharma today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) for injection for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis . KORSUVA™ injection is a first-in-class kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist that targets the body’s peripheral nervous system. The KORSUVA™ injection new drug application (NDA) received Priority Review by the FDA, which is granted to therapies that, if approved, would offer significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications.
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Dialectic Therapeutics Receives $14.4 Million Texas Company Product Development Research Award from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas
Dialectic | August 20, 2021
DALLAS, Aug. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dialectic Therapeutics, Inc. (Dialectic®), a Texas-based clinical stage biotechnology company focused on creating innovative new technologies to treat cancer, today announced it has received a $14.4 million Texas Company (TXCO) Product Development Research Award from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Dialectic will use the funding from this grant award to further advance the clinical development of its lead product candidate, DT2216, a unique compound built using its proprietary and novel Antiapoptotic Protein Targeted Degradation (APTaD™) technology platform.
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Angion Reports Positive Results From Phase 1 Healthy Volunteer Study for ANG-3070 and FDA Authoizatiioon to Initiate Phase 2 Trial in 2021
Angion | August 3, 2021
UNIONDALE, N.Y., Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Angion Biomedica Corp (NASDAQ:ANGN), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics to address acute organ injuries and fibrotic diseases, today announced positive results from its Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers for ANG-3070, a novel oral tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor (TKI) being developed for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. Angion also announced the FDA’s acceptance of an IND application supporting the initiation of a Phase 2 trial in patients with primary proteinuric kidney diseases in 2021. Additionally, the Company announced it will host a Virtual Fibrosis R&D Day on September 20, 2021.
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SCYNEXIS Announces FDA Approval of BREXAFEMME® (ibrexafungerp tablets) as the First and Only Oral Non-Azole Treatment for Vaginal Yeast Infections
Scynexis | June 2, 2021
JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX), a biotechnology company pioneering innovative medicines to overcome and prevent difficult-to-treat and drug-resistant fungal infections, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BREXAFEMME® (ibrexafungerp tablets), for oral use in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), also known as vaginal yeast infection. BREXAFEMME, which represents the first approved drug in a novel antifungal class in more than 20 years, was approved based on positive results from two Phase 3 studies in which oral ibrexafungerp demonstrated efficacy and a favorable tolerability profile in women with VVC. SCYNEXIS has partnered with Amplity Health, a leading global contract commercialization organization, to support U.S. commercialization of BREXAFEMME, with commercial launch scheduled in the second half of this year.
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Marker Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Closing of Public Offering of Common Stock
Marker | March 16, 2021
Houston, TX – March 16, 2021 – Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, today announced the closing of an underwritten public offering of 32,282,857 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $1.75 per share. The gross proceeds to Marker from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $56.5 million.
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Angion Biomedica Corp. Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering of Common Stock and Concurrent Private Placement
Angion | February 5, 2021
UNIONDALE, N.Y., Feb. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Angion Biomedica Corp. (Angion) (NASDAQ:ANGN), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics to address acute organ injuries and fibrotic diseases, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering on February 4, 2021 of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $80,000,000 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. All of the shares of common stock are being offered by Angion. Angion has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase from Angion up to an additional 750,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. Angion’s common stock has been approved for listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market and is expected to begin trading under the ticker symbol “ANGN” on February 5, 2021. The offering is expected to close on February 9, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
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Vifor Pharma and Angion Sign License Agreement for ANG-3777 in Nephrology Indications
Angion | November 9, 2020
Vifor Pharma and Angion Biomedica Corp. (Angion) today announced the signing of a licensing agreement for the commercialization of ANG-3777, currently being developed for treatment of delayed graft function (DGF) and cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). ANG 3777 was engineered to mimic the biological activity of HGF, activating critical pathways in the body’s natural organ repair process following an acute organ injury.
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Cessation Therapeutics, LLC Secures $7.1M from NIH to Develop a Fentanyl Overdose Treatment
Cessation | September 30, 2020
Cessation Therapeutics has secured a $7.1M grant (U01DA051071) to develop a monoclonal antibody to treat fentanyl overdose from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of the Helping to End Addiction Long-term SM Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative SM. This award, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of NIH, will support late-stage preclinical development of the monoclonal antibody through chemistry, manufacturing and controls as well as final toxicology for filing an investigational new drug (IND) application in 2021.