Among significant research news last week, UK drug developer PureTech released positive new Phase IIb data on its deupirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. France’s Sanofi and Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced encouraging new Phase IIb data for their duvakitug in inflammatory bowel disease. Meanwhile, Vertex Pharmaceuticals released Phase II results for its investigational sciatica treatment suzetrigine that failed to impress. Also of note, AbbVie announced strong Phase III results of tavapadon in early Parkinson’s disease. 22 December 2024
Italy-based CNS specialist Newron Pharmaceuticals has entered into a license agreement with EA Pharma, part of Japan’s Eisai to develop, manufacture and commercialize Newron’s innovative modulator of the excessive release of glutamate, evenamide, in Japan and other designated territories. 13 December 2024
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to tolebrutinib for the treatment of adults with non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (nrSPMS). 13 December 2024
Canada-headquartered Bausch + Lomb Corporation, a leading global eye health company, on Thursday confirmed reports that it is exploring a potential sale, acting in response to a request from the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). 13 December 2024
UK-based Tenpoint Therapeutics and Seattle’s Visus Therapeutics have announced the completion of their merger to create an entirely new chapter in ophthalmic therapeutic medicines aimed at rejuvenating the aging eye. 12 December 2024
AI-driven biotech BenevolentAI has announced sweeping changes aimed at refocusing its operations and extending its financial runway into 2027. 12 December 2024
Danish allergy immunotherapy specialist ALK Abello announced that its European regulatory filing for Acarizax (house dust mite sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet) in young children aged five to 11 has been approved by the health authorities in 21 European Union (EU countries via a type II variation procedure. 12 December 2024
USA-based Elevation Oncology, an innovative oncology company focused on the discovery and development of selective cancer therapies, has entered into a licensing agreement with Synaffix, part of Swiss out-sourcing major Lonza. 12 December 2024
Daiichi Sankyo has announced plans to invest 1.1 billion renminbi ($150 million) to build a new manufacturing facility for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in Shanghai's Zhangjiang area. 12 December 2024
The Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) in Mexico has approved humanized anti-soluble aggregated amyloid-beta (Aβ) monoclonal antibody Leqembi (lecanemab) for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 5 December 2024
Privately-held immunotherapy company Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals is taking over Ikena Oncology in a reverse merger deal, forming a new company, InmageneBio. 27 December 2024