Shanghai Qilu Pharmaceutical Research and Development Centre Ltd. has identified membrane-associated tyrosine- and threonine-specific Cdc2-inhibitory kinase (PKMYT1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Scientists at Chungnam National University assessed the role of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). First, it was demonstrated that ERRα expression levels were increased in bone marrow of patients with AML as compared to normal control patients, and that patient survival was significantly correlated with ERRα expression.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Mabcare Therapeutics for MTX-13, a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting protein-tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7). Under the agreement, Day One has exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize MTX-13 (now DAY-301), worldwide, excluding Greater China.
High weight is associated with a greater risk of developing many cancers, and with an increased risk of metastasis. But in some cancers such as renal cell carcinoma, it is also associated with better survival and a better response to immunotherapies in particular.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has signed an option agreement to in-license Ascentage Pharma Group Inc.’s olverembatinib, an oral third-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). If exercised, the option would allow Takeda to license exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize olverembatinib in all territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Russia.
As competition rises in the Keytruda (pembrolizumab) biosimilar space, Celltrion Inc. is the latest to announce that it filed an IND application to the U.S. FDA to start a global phase III trial for its own Keytruda biosimilar, dubbed CT-P51. Incheon, South Korea-based Celltrion, which previously said it would differentiate from the pack by developing an easier-to-administer subcutaneous biosimilar of pembrolizumab, announced June 17 plans to start a global comparative phase III study of CT-P51 and Keytruda.
Fledgling biotech Ternarx Pty Ltd. has emerged from stealth mode and is the first of its kind in Australia to develop targeted protein degrader technology to destroy disease-causing proteins that cannot be targeted by conventional drugs. The Melbourne-based company will initially develop targeted protein degraders against currently undrugged transcription factors in cancers with significant unmet need, starting with neuroblastoma and prostate cancer.
The deaths of two cancer patients treated with the small molecule azenosertib has prompted the U.S. FDA to place a partial clinical hold on a phase I study and two phase II studies from Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Inc. The deaths are presumed by Zentalis to be from sepsis. Both patients who died were in the phase II Denali study of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Following a day of deals that collectively bring a potential $3.75 billion into three biopharma companies – namely Ascidian Therapeutics Inc., Belharra Therapeutics Inc. and Mabcare Therapeutics – researchers will be busy discovering new therapies for neurological and immunological diseases, and advancing globally a candidate for solid tumors.