The European Commission has extended the indications for Janssen’s Tremfya to include psoriatic arthritis, and those for BMS’s Opdivo to include gastroesophageal cancer.

Denmark’s biotech Genmab has dropped the AXL targeted antibody-drug conjugate, enapotamab vedotin from early clinical development, and is focusing its resources on other therapeutic programs.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

European biotech Pharvaris has received series C funding to support its novel potential therapy for hereditary angioedema, in a competitive sector of drug development.

Top-line results from BrainStorm’s NurOwn Phase III ALS study show the cell therapy missed the primary efficacy endpoint, but clinically meaningful responses were seen in a pre-specified subgroup which investigators considered potentially a significant step forward in therapy.

An upturn in M&A activity in the healthcare sector is expected in 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated development of a vaccine shining a light on the sector, says a recent survey by Jefferies. There is also increasing interest in investing in China, according to the survey.