The US firm’s oncolytic peptide candidate, VP-315, has shown tumor clearance in a Phase II basal cell carcinoma trial, marking a positive start for its plans to expand from non-malignant dermatology to skin cancer.

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

Companies filling positions include Sanofi, with a new head of business transformation, and MSD Research Laboratories, with a leader for its new London early discovery facility. There is new leadership for Pandion Therapeutics, and further C-suite appointments at Orchard Therapeutics, Redx Pharma, Glythera and Inotrem.

Most individuals with Down syndrome who live long enough will develop Alzheimer’s disease, and Pharmasum Therapeutics AS hopes to develop an AD program by targeting a protein kinase that may underlie that association. The company intends to develop agents to treat AD in individuals with DS, a large and growing market, and potentially all other patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s.