The efficacy of allogeneic cell therapeutics for regenerative or oncology indications can be compromised by the emergence of antibodies against those cells, as observed in clinical trials. To overcome this limitation, scientists from the University of California and collaborators have developed a gene engineering approach providing antibody protection for cell therapeutics. The new approach to protecting cells from antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) relies on the overexpression of the IgG receptor CD64.
Researchers at the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology’s Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and Pulmobiotics Ltd. have used one bacterium to fight another. In mouse models, the team used engineered Mycoplasma pneumoniae to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the chief culprit in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Upcoming catalysts from Annexon Biosciences Inc. put some joy into shares as the firm talked up its prospects during the recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where attendees heard Jan. 8 about the news ahead with C1q protein complex inhibitor ANX-005 in Huntington’s disease (HD) as well as progress in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and more. The stock (NASDAQ:ANNX) enjoyed a 43% stock boost in the days after JPM, rising from $4.79 on Jan 8 to $6.84 on Jan. 13.
Bio-Thera Solutions Ltd. has obtained NMPA approval for BAT-1806 to treat rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and cytokine release syndrome. BAT-1806 is the world’s first tocilizumab biosimilar approved for marketing, according to Guangzhou, China-based Bio-Thera.
Poolbeg Pharma plc is expanding its evaluation of POLB-001 into oncology after findings indicated POLB-001's potential to dampen the pro-inflammatory cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for cancer.
Researchers from Therapyx Inc. and Intravacc BV assessed the potential of intranasal administration of a novel gonococcal vaccine candidate consisting of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and microsphere (ms)-encapsulated interleukin-12 (IL-12 ms). It was previously demonstrated that female mice can be immunized intravaginally with gonococcal OMVs plus IL-12 ms to induce anti-gonococcal antibodies and resistance to genital tract challenge with live Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Trex Bio Inc. has entered into a multi-year research collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Eli Lilly & Co. to develop novel therapies for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
Alpine Immune Science Inc.’s update in its earnings report Nov. 14 on its ALPN-303 program added more intrigue to the notion of targeting B cell cytokines B cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) together in lupus, as other players are trying the dual approach as well, including China’s Remegen Co. Ltd. and Vera Therapeutics Inc.<
Researchers from Neoleukin Therapeutics Inc. have described NEO-TRA1, a novel CD25-targeted de novo non-α agonist of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) designed to selectively expand Tregs.
Since the advent of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the space has steadily grown hotter, a situation on which Anima Biotech Inc. has capitalized by way of a potential $580 million-plus deal with Abbvie Inc. to deploy mRNA biology modulators for three targets across oncology and Immunology.