Eli Lilly and Co. is deepening its investment in artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery through a multibillion-dollar expansion of its collaboration with Hong-Kong listed Insilico Medicine Inc. in a move that could broaden its reach into next-generation metabolic therapies. Under the deal terms, Insilico is eligible to receive $115 million up front, plus development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments worth $2.75 billion, in addition to sales-based royalties. In exchange, Lilly gains exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize multiple candidates generated using Insilico’s AI platform, including preclinical oral therapies.
Innovent Biologics Inc.’s efdamrofusp alfa (IBI-302) met the primary endpoint in the phase III Star trial in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and the Suzhou, China-based company will submit an NDA to China’s National Medical Products Administration.
A next-generation triple incretin therapy jointly developed by Novo Nordisk A/S and China’s United Biotechnology outperformed semaglutide in a phase II trial, signaling intensifying competition in the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market.
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s monoclonal antibody, rademikibart (CBP-201), met the primary endpoint in a Chinese phase III study in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
Braveheart Bio Inc. reported positive results from an open-label randomized phase II dose-ranging study of BHB-1893 (HRS-1893) in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session and Expo in New Orleans showed BHB-1893 treatment was associated with rapid and substantial reductions in left ventricular outflow tract gradient, the primary endpoint of the study.
Excalipoint Therapeutics Inc. launched with an oversubscribed $68.7 million seed financing round to advance a portfolio of T-cell engagers for solid tumors, marking one of the largest early stage financings in China biotech history.
Early clinical data from Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. suggest its PD-L1/IL-15 bispecific antibody, SIM-0237, could emerge as a next-generation contender in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd.’s topical androgen receptor antagonist, pyrilutamide (KX-826), met the primary endpoint in a pivotal phase III trial in male androgenetic alopecia, and the company will soon file an NDA with China’s National Medical Products Administration.
U.S. lawmakers and industry experts are raising alarm over China’s expanding dominance across the pharmaceutical supply chain, warning that reliance on Chinese inputs poses a growing national security and public health risk.
Gilead Sciences Inc. said after U.S. market close March 23 that it will acquire privately held Ouro Medicines LLC and its autoimmune BCMA/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager, gamgertamig, in a deal valued at $2.17 billion.