All articles by Vidya Sagar Maddela
Vidya Sagar Maddela
Takeda secures EC approval for Adcetris to treat Hodgkin lymphoma
Adcetris is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets CD30-positive tumour cells, linked to a microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), using Pfizer’s proprietary technology
Sanofi’s Rilzabrutinib granted orphan drug designation in the US for sickle cell disease
Rilzabrutinib is a novel, advanced, oral, reversible Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has the potential to be an effective new medicine for several rare immune-mediated or inflammatory diseases
Agenus, Zydus enter $141m collaboration to advance BOT/BAL
The collaboration includes an exchange of Agenus’ biologics CMC facilities in Emeryville and Berkeley, California, for an upfront consideration of $75m, expanding patient access to the immuno-oncology treatments
Sanofi to acquire US biotech firm Blueprint for up to $9.5bn
The acquisition includes Ayvakit/Ayvakyt, which inhibits activated KIT and PDGFRA mutant kinases, along with elenestinib, a next-generation KIT D816V inhibitor, and BLU-808, a selective oral wild-type KIT inhibitor
BioNTech, BMS partner to develop bispecific antibody drug BNT327
Both companies will jointly develop and market BNT327, exploring its use as a monotherapy and in combination with other treatments, and retain the right to independently pursue further indications and combinations
Moderna obtains FDA approval for mNEXSPIKE Covid-19 vaccine
The vaccine is authorised for use in adults aged 65 and older, along with individuals aged 12 to 64 with at least one underlying risk factor, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Pfizer’s Braftovi regimen shows promise in metastatic colorectal cancer
Braftovi, in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 improved the progression-free survival by reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 47% compared to standard chemotherapy, regardless of bevacizumab
Tevogen Details its Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Tevogen.AI
Tevogen.AI currently has two proprietary technologies, each with patents pending, and an internal valuation of these assets is forthcoming
Astellas secures exclusive rights to develop Evopoint’s XNW27011
Astellas will develop and commercialise XNW27011 worldwide, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, in exchange for a $130m upfront payment and up to $1.34bn in milestone payments
Cellares, Mitsui Fudosan open cell therapy Smart Factory in Japan
Located in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, the new facility aims to address the urgent need for scalable and cost-effective CAR-T cell therapies in Japan and neighbouring regions