Aussie biotech Alterity Therapeutics Ltd. released interim data of an open-label phase II trial for lead candidate ATH-434 for treating multiple system atrophy that showed 43% of participants improved, with 29% showing either stable or improved neurological symptoms.
Many respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease vaccines are for older adults but Merck & Co. Inc.’s monoclonal antibody, MK-1654 (clesrovimab), which just produced positive top-line phase IIb/III data, aims at a far smaller and younger market. Data for protecting healthy preterm and full-term infants from RSV disease show the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial hit all its primary efficacy and safety endpoints, including the incidence of RSV-associated medically attended lower respiratory infection for 150 days compared to placebo.
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals’ long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), GZR-18, achieved as much as 17.29% weight loss in a phase IIb trial in obese and overweight Chinese patients. Developed independently by Shanghai-based Gan & Lee, GZR-18 is a once-weekly or potentially biweekly GLP-1 RA being developed to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and for weight management for obese or overweight patients.
Innovent Biologics Inc.’s glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist, mazdutide, met the primary endpoint and all key secondary endpoints in a phase III type 2 diabetes trial in Chinese adults. “Mazdutide is the first and fastest-developed GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist in the world, and we are actively promoting the development of mazdutide for weight loss, T2D and other indications,” Lei Qian, Innovent’s vice president of clinical development, said.
Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a LG Chem Ltd. subsidiary, said that Fotivda (tivozanib) in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb Co.’s Opdivo (nivolumab) failed to increase progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced kidney cancer patients in a phase III Tinivo-2 study. Despite the primary endpoint miss, Aveo noted that Fotivda alone, or as a monotherapy, in the control arm meaningfully extended median PFS, helping “further support the approved use of Fotivda as a safe and effective treatment option in relapsed or refractory advanced [renal cell carcinoma] RCC following two or more prior systemic therapies.”
The U.S. FDA approval won in June by Argenx SE of subcutaneously given Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase) for adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) sparked interest in other prospects taking aim at the rare disease. Some – including Argenx – are going after generalized myasthenia gravis and multifocal motor neuropathy with their compounds.
Innovent Biologics Inc.’s glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist, mazdutide, met the primary endpoint and all key secondary endpoints in a phase III type 2 diabetes trial in Chinese adults. “Mazdutide is the first and fastest-developed GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist in the world, and we are actively promoting the development of mazdutide for weight loss, T2D and other indications,” Lei Qian, Innovent’s vice president of clinical development, said.
Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a LG Chem Ltd. subsidiary, said that Fotivda (tivozanib) in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb Co.’s Opdivo (nivolumab) failed to increase progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced kidney cancer patients in a phase III Tinivo-2 study. Despite the primary endpoint miss, Aveo noted that Fotivda alone, or as a monotherapy, in the control arm meaningfully extended median PFS, helping “further support the approved use of Fotivda as a safe and effective treatment option in relapsed or refractory advanced [renal cell carcinoma] RCC following two or more prior systemic therapies.”
A schizophrenia drug in Cerevel Therapeutics Inc.’s lineup understandably stole much of the thunder during coverage of Abbvie Inc.’s takeover late last year to the tune of $8.7 billion, but much further back in the pipeline awaits another potentially lucrative prospect: a kappa opioid receptor antagonist (KORA) for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Aussie biotech Alterity Therapeutics Ltd. released interim data of an open-label phase II trial for lead candidate ATH-434 for treating multiple system atrophy that showed 43% of participants improved, with 29% showing either stable or improved neurological symptoms.