Immunology and inflammation
Novartis suspended multiple studies of a CAR T candidate after three patients who received the therapy suffered fatal cases of immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. BMS, meanwhile, paused some CAR T trials after separately observing “transient and reversible inflammatory events” with its therapy.
With the acquisition of Merida Biosciences, Eli Lilly is gaining a precision degradation platform for therapies that selectively target and destroy pathologic antibodies for allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Even without specific Phase 3 data yet revealed, analysts see AstraZeneca and Amgen’s Tezspire as a potential threat for Dupixent in eosinophilic esophagitis.
Thanks in part to the revolution cell therapy brought to treating blood cancers, the modality is now showing promise in some autoimmune applications. This expansion is poised to yield even wider benefits.
Phase 1 data from Generate Biomedicines’ ongoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease study demonstrated “rapid and sustained reductions” across four disease biomarkers.
AstraZeneca and Amgen co-develop and co-commercialize Tezspire under an April 2012 agreement. The partners are now planning another FDA submission for the asthma drug, which received an expansion into chronic rhinosinusitis last year.
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group has been on a deal hot streak this year, inking major deals with Eli Lilly, AbbVie and more. The new company will take on one of Haisco’s core immunology assets.
While Bausch + Lomb’s dual-action eye drops failed to outperform active comparators at day 29, the investigational asset showed significant superiority at day 15.
The discontinuation of the uveitis study adds to Regeneron’s series of clinical setbacks, including the Phase 3 failures of the Dupixent follow-up itepekimab and an investigational combo regimen for melanoma.
Epicrispr Biotechnologies is working on an epigenetic medicine for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, while Infinimmune will advance a pair of antibodies for atopic dermatitis.
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