An Australian study led by University of Melbourne scientists has identified a previously unknown role for the hepatokine, sparc-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1), in suppressing hepatic glucose production. The investigators reported their results in the Sept. 2, 2020, edition of Science Translational Medicine.
In a bid to expand its presence in the cardiometabolic disease space and strengthen its core business in diabetes and obesity, Novo Nordisk A/S is buying Corvidia Therapeutics Inc., of Waltham, Mass., for $2.1 billion, which includes a $725 million up-front payment.
Shares of Millendo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:MLND) fell 70.1% to $1.45 on April 6 after a pivotal study of its experimental Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) therapy, livoletide, failed to show a statistically significant improvement in hyperphagia, or insatiable hunger, and food-related behaviors vs. placebo.
DUBLIN – For quite some time, cardiometabolic disease has been largely off the map for most small biotechs and for the venture capital investors that support them. Is that situation about to change? Maybe, maybe not was the mixed message arising from a Bio-Europe Spring 2020 virtual panel discussion on cardiometabolic disease.
A lot of development dollars are shed when the FDA withdraws approval or requests that a drug be withdrawn from the market because new potential risks have come to light. And it’s not just the brand company that feels the loss.
Eisai Co. Ltd. is removing Belviq (lorcaserin) from the U.S. market due to the FDA’s concerns about an increased occurrence of cancer in a long-term trial evaluating the cardiovascular effects associated with the weight-loss drug.
GI Dynamics Inc.’s U.S. IDE trial of Endobarrier, which is designed for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and obesity, is now underway with the first patient enrollment at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Mich. The FDA approved the pivotal STEP-1 clinical trial in August 2019 to evaluate the Endobarrier as a barrier between the small intestine and food to reduce calorie intake.
Kintai Therapeutics Inc. CEO, president and board member Paul-Peter Tak told BioWorld that the company aims to reach the clinic in the first quarter of next year with obesity agent KTX-0200, which has begun IND-enabling studies after showing sustained weight loss and improved markers of health in preclinical experiments.
HONG KONG – South Korean med tech Olive Healthcare Inc. has attracted ₩8 billion (US$6.91 million) in series B funding. The Seoul-based company is focused on abdominal fat scanning and breast cancer diagnosis, using nonradiative and noninvasive near infrared (NIR) technology, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and big data processing for a customized medical service.
The obesity problem is one that is affecting a growing number of people globally. With both device and drug companies looking to take on the challenge of combating the problem, Allurion Technologies Inc. has set its sights on advancing a new approach in the U.S. Now, the Natick, Mass.-based company has scored $34 million in new funding through a securities financing and a growth capital term loan. The round was led by Novalis Lifesciences and Romulus Capital, with participation from Ido Investments and ex-Covidien CEO Jose Almeida.
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