Page 32 - Bio Developments News Today

Avidity Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs), today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to AOC 1044.

Following a recent phase 2 failure, the San Francisco-based biotech company Nektar Therapeutics has slashed its workforce and axed the development of the protein drug rezpegaldesleukin (Rezpeg) for the treatment of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The radiopharmaceuticals developer Ariceum Therapeutics has bagged $24.9m (€22.8m) in a Series A extension round. Adding to a $27.4m (€25m) Series A closing last year, the Series A winnings for the German startup now total $52.3m (€47.8m).

In a move to increase its presence in immunology and inflation, the Danish biotech Genmab has launched a collaboration with argenx in the Netherlands to co-discover and co-develop antibody treatments.

The new study observes a significant association between supplement consumption and vaccination side effects in an Italian adult population, specifically spotlighting the effects of omega-3 and mineral supplement consumption in reducing associated adverse symptoms.

An mRNA cancer vaccine, in combination with Keytruda, reduced the risk of recurrence or death in melanoma patients by 44% compared to Keytruda alone, according to Phase 2b data. Merck and Moderna plan to initiate a Phase 3 study in the coming months.

Merck will acquire Prometheus Biosciences, a San Diego biotech working on a precision medicine approach for developing therapeutics for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

The South Korean company is set to create a new facility in West Virginia to house insulin manufacturing and to deliver its insulin products in the country.

As part of a $1 billion deal forged in 2020, Biogen has exercised the option to license a treatment candidate for Alzheimer’s disease developed by the US biotech company Denali Therapeutics. The engineered antibody drug is designed to cross into the brain and break down harmful plaques better than approved antibodies can.

Samsung Ventures, the global investment arm of Samsung Group, has invested an undisclosed amount in the Swiss company Araris Biotech. The deal is independent from Araris’ ongoing Series A fundraising and will be used to bankroll the development of antibody-drug conjugates for cancer.