Researchers from Hebei Medical University and affiliated organizations have discovered new folate receptor (FR)-targeted fluorescent probes for tumor detection.
It is known that CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy is useful in the treatment of large B-cell lymphoma, but about 60% of patients relapse after treatment, and about 30% of these are CD19-negative patients with poor survival. Sana Biotechnology Inc. is developing a hypoimmune CD22-directed CAR T-cell therapy, named SC-262, for the potential treatment of large B-cell lymphoma.
Taiwan’s Caliway Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. said it secured more than $100 million in an oversubscribed capital raise to advance CBL-514, its lead asset for subcutaneous fat reduction nearing phase III studies.
Compugen Ltd. has entered another collaboration, this time exclusively licensing a preclinical antibody program against an IL-18 binding protein with Gilead Sciences Inc. Compugen will handle ongoing preclinical development and a phase I study of COM-503 to treat tumors, then Gilead receives to sole right to further continue developing the asset. Compugen is getting an up-front $60 million and is eligible for a $30 million milestone payment should the IND clear in 2024. Compugen also is eligible for $758 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones, putting the deal value at $848 million.
Hemispherian AS has been granted NOK16 million (US$1.54 million) by the Research Council of Norway, which the company intends to use to support development of its drug candidates aimed at treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancers.
Sperogenix Therapeutics Ltd. has identified nitrogen-containing five-membered heterocyclic derivatives acting as checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Verastem Inc. has announced the nomination of an oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, VS-7375 (GFH-375), as the lead program from its discovery and development collaboration with Genfleet Therapeutics (Shanghai) Inc.
Kronos Bio Inc. has nominated a new development candidate, KB-9558, which targets the lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) domain of p300, a critical node of the IRF4 transcription regulatory network (TRN), which is a key driver in multiple myeloma.
Avstera Therapeutics Corp. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for HDAC6 inhibitor AVS-100. Avstera intends to initiate a phase Ia/b trial in the first half of 2024 to evaluate AVS-100 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.