Drug Development
A surprising deal from Vertex Pharmaceuticals adds to Big Pharma’s acquisitive streak as Crinetics folds into the cystic fibrosis drugmaker. Meanwhile, IPOs and venture capital raises trend upward, but mostly for derisked companies. Plus, FDA decisions slow only slightly as the hunt for a permanent leader drags on.
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Molecular glue degraders are gaining traction in the clinic as well as funding from Big Pharma, with their potential to treat previously “undruggable” cancers and immunological diseases. Here are five clinical programs worth keeping an eye on.
A recent FDA reversal sparked new hope for patients with Huntington’s disease. Flying under the radar, Skyhawk Therapeutics revealed 12-month functional data from a midstage trial of its own candidate showing improvements on a key disease measurement scale.
Recent approvals for Corcept Therapeutics and Merck have injected momentum into the space, where GSK, Allarity Therapeutics, OSE Immunotherapies and others are advancing their own candidates.
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After back-to-back failures in 2021, Wave Life Sciences has finally aced a Phase Ib/IIa Huntington’s disease trial and is looking to a potential accelerated approval for its investigational antisense oligonucleotide.
After winning expanded approval for its gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Sarepta’s leadership and analysts see a sizeable commercial opportunity on the horizon.
Following success in several indications including ulcerative colitis, J&J’s blockbuster drug Tremfya failed to meet a mid-stage study’s primary endpoint in treating giant cell arteritis.
AstraZeneca’s PD-L1 inhibitor failed to significantly improve disease-free survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but hit its primary endpoint in a late-stage trial in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
If approved, ensifentrine would be the first non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, offering an option with potentially fewer side effects.
Merck KGaA’s drug candidate xevinapant in a late-stage trial was unable to significantly improve event-free survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Novo Nordisk on Monday announced it is boosting its manufacturing capabilities with a $4.1 billion commitment to construct a second fill and finishing facility in Clayton, North Carolina.
Exsilio Therapeutics emerged from stealth on Tuesday with a platform that leverages mRNA technology to develop redosable genomic medicines for a range of complex diseases.
The FDA’s calendar is relatively light in July, with only five major deadlines, including one for a PD-1 blocker and another for an opioid overdose drug.
G1 Therapeutics on Monday reported Phase III study results showing its drug Cosela did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect in overall survival in triple-negative breast cancer patients.