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Guangzhou-based Bio-Thera Solutions (SHA: 688177) announced that it has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its BAT8010 to enter clinical trials for the treatment of general solid tumors. The drug, independently developed by Bio-Thera, is an HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of a recombinant humanized anti-HER2…
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The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) website indicates that Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd’s (SHE: 002422) SKB264, an antibody – drug conjugate (ADC) targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2), has been awarded a breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic triple – negative breast cancer…
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BeiGene (NASDAQ: BGNE) has released the latest results of the global Phase III RATIONALE 306 study, which evaluated the efficacy of its programmed death – 1 (PD – 1) inhibitor tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have not previously…
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China-based Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963) announced that a clinical trial filing for its biosimilar version of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide), submitted by subsidiaries Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Chongqing Peg-Bio Biopharma Co., Ltd, has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Drug ProfileOriginally developed…
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China-based Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Jixing) announced the first patient enrollment in a Phase III clinical study in China for etripamil, a drug candidate being assessed as a treatment for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). The multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-administered…
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The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) website indicates that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd’s Obizur (susoctocog alfa) has been prioritized for review for the on-demand treatment and control of bleeding events in adults with acquired hemophilia A. Drug Profile and MechanismAcquired hemophilia A is an acquired bleeding disorder characterized by reduced…
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Shanghai-based Allist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SHA: 688578) announced that it has received another indication approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for furmonertinib. The third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor is now approved for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR…
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Suzhou-based Ascentage Pharma (HKG: 6855) announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a first-in-human clinical study of its embryonic ectoderm development (EED) inhibitor APG-5918. The study will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of the drug in patients with advanced…
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China-based Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKG: 1672) announced the dosing of the first patient in its Phase II clinical trial for ASC22 (envafolimab) in combination with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for the immune restoration and functional cure of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection. This trial marks a significant step forward in…
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China-based Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals announced receiving approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) to initiate a Phase III clinical study for its aficamten (CK-3773274) in symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). This study is part of the global multi-center SEQUOIA-HCM trial. Drug Profile and MechanismAficamten is a next-generation cardiac myosin…
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Shanghai BDgene Technology Co., Ltd has completed efficacy and preliminary safety studies for BD111, its CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo-based therapy for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-related keratitis (HSK). The company plans to file for Investigational New Drug (IND) approval and was awarded orphan drug designation (ODD) status in the US last week.…
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The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Bayer’s (ETR: BAYN) Category 1 drug Kerendia (finerenone) for adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes. This approval marks a significant advancement in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease, offering a new option to slow disease progression…
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China’s Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. (SHA: 600276) announced that its Category 1 drug SHR3680 has received conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) via priority review procedures. The drug is now approved for the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) with high tumor burden. Mechanism and AdvantagesSHR3680…
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China-based biotech company Akeso Biopharma (HKG: 9926) announced that its self-discovered bispecific antibody (BsAb) cadonilimab (AK104) has received conditional market approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The drug is indicated for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer that has failed previous platinum-based chemotherapy. Drug Profile and…
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China-based Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co., Ltd (SHA: 600079) announced receiving approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to initiate a clinical study for its Category 1 drug RFUS-144, designed to relieve pain and itching. This marks a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to develop innovative therapies for…
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China-based Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963) announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved another indication for its SaiYueXin, a biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) autoimmune disease drug Stelara (ustekinumab). The drug is now approved for use in China to treat children and adolescents aged…
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Germany-based Bayer (ETR: BAYN) has announced a voluntary recall of a specific lot of its tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) in the US market following the detection of contamination by the Penicillium brevicompactum mold in the oral solution. While no adverse events have been reported, Bayer has advised…
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Novartis disclosed during its Q2 2022 earnings call that the U.S. FDA deemed clinical data for BeiGene’s PD-1 inhibitor tislelizumab insufficient to support an approval filing for first-line monotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Development will pivot to second-line combination therapy for NSCLC. FDA FeedbackThe FDA cited inadequate representation…
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Latin America is ramping up its contributions to the worldwide race for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Cuba’s state-owned BioCubaFarma, through its Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), has designed a vaccine candidate and is advancing its development in collaboration with China’s Research and Development Center in Yongzhou, Hunan’s Industrial…
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Genscript Biotech Corporation (HKG: 1548), a leading China-based Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has announced the publication of long-term follow-up data from the Phase 1b/2 study, CARTITUDE-1. The study, conducted in partnership with Janssen Pharmaceutical, focuses on the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-cell therapy JNJ-4528 for the treatment of recurrent…