Oncology

Erytech’s eryaspase has failed in its Phase III TRYbeCA-1 trial for second-line pancreatic cancer despite analyst excitement for the solid tumor indication. Its attentions now turn, once again, to its acute lymphoblastic leukemia indication.

After deciding to examine canakinumab's potential in lung cancer on the back of the CANTOS cardiovascular trial, Novartis designed a major late-stage program in oncology for the interleukin-1 beta inhibitor. The second of those CANOPY trials has just come crashing down.

The company announced it would withdraw the BLA for balstilimab monotherapy in cervical cancer following Keytruda’s full approval, but it plans to keep developing the drug.

After the anti-PD-1/L1 antibody and cell therapy rush, antibody-drug conjugates are quickly gaining attention in China as new technologies and deal-making activity heats up, but one first mover warns of potential over-crowding.

The formal split between the companies had been in the works since January, with 2seventy set to take over oncology operations while bluebird focuses on gene therapies.

A concerted effort to mobilize the pharma industry, research organizations and state-backed healthcare venture capital firms is under way in Shanghai.

In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: US tax policies challenge pharma; J&J’s long-time R&D head to retire; Legend Biotech’s CEO talks about plans; BMS disappointment in ulcerative colitis; and another gene therapy partnership for Takeda.

Gilead looks set to expand its lead position in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) market in Europe with a positive opinion for Trodelvy from the CHMP.

After the combination's success in the non-small cell lung cancer POSEIDON study, AstraZeneca's Imfinzi and tremelimumab could now be on the way to approval as a first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although the label’s PD-L1 expression requirement could limit the addressable market, there is also potential for future combination with Seagen’s recently approved Tivdak.

Deal Snapshot: In addition to investigating the ADAR1 target with the UK biotech, Exelixis also has optioned a second candidate for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma under its 2019 deal with Aurigene.

Given the requirement for patients to have a Ki-67 score of at least 20%, the challenge now is to alter physicians’ thinking around Ki-67 testing, execs told Scrip.