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China-based biotech RemeGen Co., Ltd (HKG: 9995; SHA: 688331) has received fast-track designation (FTD) from the US FDA for its pipeline candidate RC88, a mesothelin (MSLN)-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). This designation recognizes RC88’s potential as a treatment for platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. Developed in-house,…
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China-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKG: 1093) has received approval from the US FDA to commence a clinical study for its bispecific fusion protein, JMT106, targeting GPC3-positive solid tumors. JMT106 is designed to target both GPC3 and interferon receptors, aiming to elicit antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) while activating the immune…
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Germany’s BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX) has licensed a pre-clinical antibody candidate and additional antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology from Portugal-based biotechnology company CellmAbs. The agreement marks Portugal’s first billion-dollar transaction in the life sciences sector. Under the terms, CellmAbs will receive undisclosed upfront and near-term payments, potential milestone payments reaching several hundred…
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Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK) has received regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of its anti-PD-1 drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) 2014 stage III-IVA cervical cancer. This marks…
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China-based CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd (HKG: 2171) has announced that it has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct a clinical study for its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, CT011. The study will focus on patients with GPC3 positive stage IIIa hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are…
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Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (HKG: 2096) has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its cancer drug candidate SIM0501, intended for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. SIM0501 is a small-molecule inhibitor of ubiquitin specific peptidase 1 (USP1), a protein that is…
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Fosun Kite and Medi Cover, a health management and patient service platform under Sinopharm (HKG: 1099), have jointly introduced the first value-based payment (VBP) plan for lymphoma associated with Fosun Kite’s chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel). Under this innovative plan, eligible patients who do not…
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Bio-Thera Solutions Ltd (SHA: 688177), a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, has announced that it has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct a combined Phase Ib/II clinical study for its pipeline drugs BAT7104 and BAT4706 in patients with advanced malignant tumors. BAT7104 is a bispecific antibody (BsAb)…
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C4 Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CCCC), a leader in protein degradation, announced this week its strategic focus for 2024, which includes a significant reduction of 30% in its workforce. The U.S.-based company will prioritize ongoing Phase I/II trials for CFT7455 and CFT1946, targeting relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (r/rMM) and BRAF V600X-mutant solid tumors,…
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Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. (HKG: 2696) has entered into a partnership and licensing agreement with U.S.-based Sermonix Pharmaceuticals Inc. for exclusive development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights in China for the investigational drug lasofoxifene. This ESR1 antagonist is being developed as a treatment for breast cancer. Under the terms of the…
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Shanghai-based biotech GenFleet Therapeutics announced that its CDK9 inhibitor, SLS009 (GFH009), has received fast-track and orphan drug designation (ODD) statuses from the U.S. FDA. These designations highlight the drug’s potential as a treatment for recurrent or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and recurrent or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In…
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review a filing from Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Genmab (NASDAQ: GMAB) for the full registration of their antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin). Tivdak currently holds an accelerated approval from 2021 for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical…
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The International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) has published a statement addressing the US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) investigation into a potential link between T-cell malignancies and CAR-T cell therapies. The FDA launched the inquiry in November following 20 reported cases of patients developing these malignancies after…
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OBI Pharma (4174.TWO), partner to Biosion Inc., has announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with a Phase I/II study for its novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer therapy, OBI-992, which targets TROP2. The antibody molecules utilized in the development of…
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Johnson & Johnson (J&J; NYSE: JNJ), a global healthcare conglomerate, has announced its intention to acquire Ambrx Biopharma (NASDAQ: AMAM), a U.S.-based developer of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The deal is valued at approximately USD 2 billion in equity and carries a net cash requirement of USD 1.9 billion, with…
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Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK), a leading U.S. pharmaceutical company, has announced its intention to acquire Harpoon Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HARP) for approximately USD 680 million. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024, subject to approval by Harpoon’s stockholders and the fulfillment of…
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ShuWen Biotech Co., Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company based in Zhejiang, has announced that its MammaTyper diagnostic kit has received market approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The kit is intended for use in cases where immunohistochemistry (IHC) results are indeterminate or unsatisfactory, or when the IHC outcome significantly…
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The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China has indicated on its website that Allist Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, a Shanghai-based biotech firm, has received breakthrough therapy designations (BTDs) for its epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) furmonertinib and for Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC)…
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Hebei Changshan Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (CSBIO; SHE: 300255), a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its small-molecule multi-kinase inhibitor, CSCJC3456. This molecule is now set to be evaluated in the context of general advanced malignant…
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Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd (SHA: 600276) has announced that it has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to initiate an open, multi-center Phase Ib/II clinical study for its injectable pipeline candidate SHR-A1921. This investigational treatment is to be used in combination with adebrelimab (SHR-1316) and SHR-8068…