Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has patented proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising cereblon (CRBN) ligands covalently bonded to a Bcl-2-like protein 1 (Bcl-xl; Bcl-X; BCL2L1)-targeting moiety through a linker.
The bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family of proteins are involved in cell cycle regulation and for this reason are considered therapeutic targets in cancer therapeutics.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and C-Biomex Ltd. have announced a strategic research collaboration agreement to co-develop CBT-001, a radioligand targeting the CA9 cancer biomarker.
Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) enzyme inhibitors used to treat B-cell cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, also produce resistance by causing mutations in the protein. Now, a study on the BTK degrader NX-2127 showed the compound could be effective in eliminating BTK regardless of its mutations.
Gilead Sciences Inc. has officially discontinued work on anti-CD47 antibody magrolimab in hematologic cancers, nearly four years after shelling out $4.9 billion to acquire its developer, Forty Seven Inc. The company announced in its full-year 2023 earnings Feb. 6 call that the phase III Enhance-3 study testing magrolimab as a first-line treatment in unfit acute myeloid leukemia patients was discontinued following a futility analysis and higher incidence of grade 5 adverse events.
Immunome Inc. gained renewed attention for its pipeline by way of the Feb. 6 deal to buy from Ayala Pharmaceuticals Inc. the phase III-stage small-molecule gamma secretase inhibitor AL-102 (plus related drug candidate AL-101).
Hong Kong’s Hutchmed (China) Ltd. reported mixed phase III results of fruquintinib as a second-line combination therapy for advanced gastric cancer on Feb. 6, with the oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor hitting just one co-primary endpoint.
Redx Pharma plc has closed its biggest transaction to date, selling a preclinical KRAS inhibitor program to Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc in a potential $880 million deal. Of that, $10 million will be paid up front, with the balance to come in development and commercialization milestones. For any product that makes it to market, Redx will in addition receive tiered mid-single digit percentage royalties.