Clinical research
After imeroprubart failed to demonstrate sufficient efficacy in lupus during a Phase 2b trial, Immunovant is moving on from the indication and looking to other high priority programs for the drug in neurology, endocrinology and rheumatology.
Amgen is awaiting another Phase 3 readout for the investigational Sjögren’s disease therapy, set for later this year. William Blair anticipates that at least two trials will be needed to support an FDA application.
A late-stage test of Roche and Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ sefaxersen showed that the drug reduced protein in the urine, which suggests the RNA-targeting therapy could improve kidney function and delay transplant.
Ulefnersen, an RNA-targeted therapy being developed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, improved measurements of functional impairment and survival in patients with a rare, genetic ALS subtype in a Phase 3 trial. The partners plan to approach the FDA with the results to determine potential pathways for approval.
Novo plans to hit $23B in revenue by 2035, has further reduced its workforce by 4,000 and is boosting manufacturing capacity for its Wegovy pill, but investors are unconvinced it will be enough to turn things around; Viking Therapeutics and Roche report positive results for their weight loss assets; Ultragenyx snags FDA approval for its Sanfilippo syndrome gene therapy; IPOs keep on coming.
While Vertex is laser-focused on an upcoming FDA decision for povetacicept in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, the APOL1 inhibitor inaxaplin has demonstrated potential “best-in-class” data in a different kidney disease.
Delivering therapeutics directly to tumors, as in the case of Replimune’s recently approved Tudriqev and Amgen’s Imlygic, holds advantages, especially when cancer is caught early, but challenges remain before the method becomes a mainstay in treatment.
As Xenon Pharmaceuticals announced that azetukalner has reached the FDA for focal seizures, the company also disclosed the emergence of psychosis adverse events in psychiatric trials of the drug, triggering a temporary pause.
Bristol Myers Squibb acquired the degrader-antibody conjugate from Orum Therapeutics in 2023 for $100 million upfront and the possibility of up to $80 million more in milestones.
With just over $10 million in cash available to fuel operations through the end of the year, Longeveron is undertaking a strategic review after the failure of a cardiovascular study.
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