Transgene SA is quitting development of one of its lead therapeutic vaccines after a combination of the candidate, TG-4010, with chemotherapy and Opdivo missed its primary endpoint in a phase II trial evaluating the combination as a first-line treatment for certain advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancers.
HONG KONG – Israel-based Biolinerx Ltd. has unveiled the latest data from its ongoing phase IIa COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 study at the European Society of Medical Oncology Immuno-Oncology Congress 2019 which evaluates Biolinerx’s BL-8040, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor CXCR4.
HONG KONG – Singapore and U.S.-based Hummingbird Bioscience Pte Ltd. has raised $19 million in a series B financing round. Proceeds will be used to support the discovery of new disease targets and to fuel the work of co-discovery projects that are part of a multitarget collaboration agreement valued at more than $1 billion signed with Amgen Inc. in September.
BEIJING – Suzhou-based Alphamab Oncology Co. Ltd. (HK:9966), which aims to bring the first PD-L1/CTLA4 bispecific antibody to China, saw its share prices jump almost 30% on its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) on Dec. 12, 2019, ending the year on a positive note for the pre-revenue biotech.
The American Society of Hematology meeting closed yesterday and served to shine the light on the latest research and progress of new therapies targeting hematological malignancies as well as other serious blood disorders. Specifically, a great deal of attention was focused on the treatment of blood cancers and, judging by the increase in value of the BioWorld Cancer index, investors and analysts alike were impressed with what they heard.
ORLANDO, Fla. – As the enormous American Society of Hematology annual meeting wound down, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. of Johnson & Johnson released phase III data showing that adding Darzalex to carfilzomib and dexamethasone, compared to carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone, significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
DUBLIN – Immunos Therapeutics AG raised CHF15 million (US$15.2 million) in a series A round to move a novel immuno-oncology platform designed to turn cold tumors hot into early clinical development.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Data from two studies from Forty Seven Inc. announced at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting moved the market in a major way Monday as the company stock (NASDAQ:FTSV) soared 111% to close at $30.43, up $15.99.
Arqule Inc. CEO Paolo Pucci said the firm was “limited in what we can comment [on] for the time being” in connection with Merck & Co. Inc.’s deal to pay about $2.7 billion in cash for the company. “There is no better model for bringing a drug faster into the hands of patients and caregivers than the example of Keytruda. I will leave it at that.” Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a human PD-1-blocking antibody was first approved in September 2014 for advanced melanoma. The label has been widely expanded since.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Not long past the opening of the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) massive annual conference, Janssen Biotech Inc. released upbeat follow-up survivability data on Imbruvica (ibrutinib) from two studies and an integrated analysis evaluating Imbruvica in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).