Oncology

CD47 was once seen as one of the hottest properties in immunotherapy, but multiple setbacks have tempered enthusiasm for targeting the ‘don’t eat me’ cell surface protein. I-Mab and Gilead are just two casualties.

In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: Novartis gives back Beigene PD-1; BMS revs R&D engine; Anthos changes course for Factor XI asset; the non-incretin pipeline for obesity; and a look at Q2’s top-selling drugs.

Among the newer modalities to tackle cancer, antibody-drug conjugates are fast emerging to rival targeted antibodies and China is fast emerging as a world class source of innovation in the field, as evidenced by a string of recent deals.

Cytokinetics has a lot riding on the upcoming Phase III readout for aficamten, and crunch time is coming for plenty of other groups, too. 

The French firm has followed up its recent acquisition of Swiss lung cancer specialist Vertical Bio by signing a pact with Vernalis.

The Swiss pharma giant is building momentum in radiopharmaceuticals by racking up positive pivotal trial data and overcoming manufacturing bottlenecks.

A positive showing by Bristol Myers Squibb’s checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo in non-small cell lung cancer could broaden its use, though much depends on the magnitude of the hit.

With accelerated approval in advanced urothelial cancer, the sponsors now have data that could support full approval.

The announcement that LEAP-006 and LEAP-008, both in non-small cell lung cancer, did not meet their primary endpoints adds to a string of failures for the combination.

Once again choosing their words carefully, the partners talk only of ‘plans’ to file as regulators will first have to clarify when overall survival data will be required for the new antibody-drug conjugate in breast cancer.

Genentech is broadening its stake in the protein degradation field, following BMS and Merck & Co into molecular glue drugs.

RayzeBio's IPO and Genentech's first buy-in into the field show a wave of next-generation companies hoping to expand the radiopharmaceutical field.

In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: Biomarin’s next chapter; Amgen’s obesity plans; Daiichi’s new ADC data; Acelyrin hit by clinical failure; and Skyrizi beats Stelara in Crohn’s.

Research shows bringing trials to community oncology centers remains a daunting task, but Verily and OneOncology aim to help with new clinical trial management software. In other trial news, MindBio’s LSD goes into Phase II; Erasca starts tumor agnostic program; the Project to Accelerate New Treatments for Tuberculosis launched an international study investigating new combinations; and more.

The US FDA approved the JAK inhibitor momelotinib for myelofibrosis with anemia, with an analyst forecasting peak sales of more than $425m.

Ampersand Biomedicines has emerged from stealth mode with a new CEO, and aims to shake up oncology and immunology with a new tissue-specific approach to targeting medicines.