The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to Modalis Therapeutics Corp.’s MDL-101, a novel epigenetic editing therapy being developed for the treatment of congenital muscular dystrophy type 1a (LAMA2-CMD), a severe, early-onset muscular dystrophy caused by the absence of the LAMA2 protein.

The FDA has awarded orphan drug designation to UP Oncolytics LLC’s oncolytic virus-based therapy (ZIKV-SJRP/2016) to treat malignant glioma.

Adcentrx Therapeutics Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for ADRX-0405 for the treatment of select advanced solid tumors. A first-in-human phase Ia/b trial of ADRX-0405 in patients with select advanced solid tumors, including metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, will begin enrollment and dosing this quarter.

Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences Co. Ltd. has submitted an IND application for CS-231295 tablets for the treatment of tumors, and the application has been accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

Seraxis Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for a phase I/II study of its novel islet replacement therapy SR-02 for type 1 diabetes. SR-02 is comprised of allogeneic pancreatic endocrine cell clusters that, when implanted to the omentum, form a functional endocrine pancreas outside of the native pancreas.

Antag Therapeutics ApS has received IND clearance from the FDA for lead molecule, AT-7687. A phase I trial will evaluate AT-7687 in healthy lean and healthy obese subjects, including as monotherapy and in combination with semaglutide in the healthy obese individuals.

Adcencdo ApS has obtained FDA clearance of its IND application for ADCE-D01 in patients with metastatic and/or unresectable soft tissue sarcoma (STS). A first-in-human phase I/II study in patients with metastatic and/or unresectable STS will recruit in the U.S. and Europe.