Research & Development

Sierra announced Phase III results for the JAK inhibitor in anemic myelofibrosis patients with previous JAK exposure, a difficult-to-treat population. Trial investigator Ruben Mesa talked to Scrip about some of the advantages.

The Cambridge, MA start-up aims to ‘democratize’ therapies based on induced pluripotent stem cells by developing an automated manufacturing system.

The company published data for the bispecific antibody in wet AMD and DME, with non-inferior efficacy to Eylea and growing support for less frequent administration.

The French major has committed up to £5m for non-profit Protas, which aims to facilitate large clinical studies at a fraction of the usual price and form more pharmaceutical collaborations down the line.

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.

Pivotal data presented at the ASCO GI meeting in liver and biliary tract cancers could add a couple of billion dollars to Imfinzi’s sales and breathe new life into the CTL4 inhibitor tremelimumab.

Published data showed Merck’s PD-1 inhibitor combined with Eisai’s Lenvima improved survival in the all-comer population of previously treated endometrial carcinoma.

Scrip

Provided with a record $3bn backing from investors and bringing some big names on board, Hal Barron’s new firm Altos Labs wants to “reimagine medical treatments where reversing disease for patients of any age is possible."

The UK biotech has struck up an unusual deal with its new investor that lets it retain control over its assets, as it raises $54m in a series A.

As Barron departs for new rejuvenation-focused biotech Altos Labs, GSK will be under pressure to ensure its R&D can continue to produce green shoots.

Gene therapies for conditions ranging from hemophilia to retinal diseases are blossoming in China and the race in which the winner may take all is on. Driven by ready investors, the field is on the cusp of becoming the latest innovation battleground in the country, while some developers are already moving ahead in the US.