Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. completed the enrollment of patients for a confirmatory clinical trial using its Liwen RF ablation system for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), reaching 128 patients in 20 hospitals in mainland China since January 2021.
Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc. licensed rights to zastaprazan, a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment candidate, from Onconic Therapeutics Inc. in a $127.5 million deal. Under the agreement, Livzon, which is based in Guangdong, China, obtains the exclusive rights to develop, license, manufacture and commercialize the candidate in greater China. In turn, Seoul, Korea-based Onconic will obtain a $15 million up-front payment, and up to $112.5 million in development, licensing and commercialization milestone payments.
Agilis Robotics Ltd. completed its first test in mainland China for use of its robotic instruments, which validated their feasibility and versatility for endoscopic surgery. After simulating training for endoscopic submucosal dissection and an en bloc resection of a bladder tumor, surgeons successfully used the surgical robot to remove the artificial tumor tissue. The test results met the expected goals.
Johnson & Johnson’s Biosense Webster division reported that its Qdot Micro diagnostic and ablation deflectable tip catheter secured approval for marketing in China from the National Medical Products Administration where options for treating arrhythmias are seeing growing demand. A radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter, Qdot Micro reduced total ablation procedure time by nearly 90 minutes.
Hanall Biopharma Co Ltd.’s batoclimab met the primary and key secondary endpoints in a pivotal phase III trial in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in China, marking the first positive phase III data for the candidate globally.
Drones are now being used for medical consultations and facilitating remote diagnosis, potentially leveraging telemedicine technology to improve health care outcomes in remote locations that cannot be easily accessed. Telemedicine consultations using aerial drones are about to become commonplace in Pakistan, and possibly around the world, according to Shariq Khoja, CEO of Tech4Life Enterprises.
South Korean biotech peers Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd. and Liscure Biosciences Co. Ltd. signed a deal to co-develop microbiome-based oral live biotherapeutic products for Parkinson's disease.
South Korean biotech peers Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd. and Liscure Biosciences Co. Ltd. signed a deal to co-develop microbiome-based oral live biotherapeutic products for Parkinson's disease. Under the agreement, Celltrion, of Incheon, South Korea, will provide Seoul-based Liscure with research funding as well as additional payments as the project progresses. Liscure will lead discovery of the novel candidates, and Celltrion will be responsible for further clinical and regulatory development.
Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc.’s small-molecule Pellino-1 inhibitor, BBT-401, failed to meet the primary efficacy endpoint in a phase II trial in ulcerative colitis (UC). The phase II mid-to-high dose cohort study included 38 patients with active UC enrolled at 37 clinical sites across the U.S., New Zealand, South Korea, Poland and Ukraine.