CNS

The ranks of B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugates under development in China have seen their first dropout, although elsewhere there are two FGFR2b-directed ADCs with first-in-class potential on the horizon. Meanwhile, there have been other discontinuations of KRAS G12C inhibitors and anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapies in the country, while new players have surfaced in the areas of mRNA cancer vaccines and amyloid-beta-targeting antibodies for Alzheimer’s disease.

Teva reported positive Phase III data for a long-acting version of olanzapine for schizophrenia, coinciding with its first quarter sales and earnings release.

Buntanetap has flopped in Alzheimer’s disease, making an upcoming Parkinson’s trial a must-win. But there are reasons to doubt the outcome of this study, and Annovis is running out of money.

Newron’s evenamide worked in a Phase II/III trial as an add-on to antipsychotic drugs in patients with inadequate response to monotherapy at a time when schizophrenia has piqued the interest of big pharma.

Bristol Myers Squibb’s head of major markets, Monica Shaw, wants to improve patients’ access to lifesaving therapies. And the group has several new products ready to roll.

Deal Snapshot: Ipsen committed up to $1.8bn in upfront and milestone fees to develop novel treatments for rare neurological diseases with Skyhawk’s RNA-targeting small molecule platform.

Cerevel, which AbbVie is spending $8.7bn to acquire, unveiled topline results from the TEMPO-3 study of tavapadon, which an analyst said represents potentially a $1bn opportunity.

Dalzanemdor (SAGE-718) showed no difference from placebo in a Phase II Parkinson’s disease study, raising concerns about readouts later this year in Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The company has pledged to continue developing its Duchenne in vivo gene editing therapy without Lilly, but will remain focused on its lead program in hepatitis B.

With positive results from the first Phase III trial of lumateperone in major depressive disorder and a second readout expected later this quarter, the company plans a supplemental filing in late 2024.

Emerging Company Profile: Seaport Therapeutics believes its technology can alter old drugs to remove their flaws. Just how closely can it follow the example set by Karuna?

Otsuka/Click’s global-first adjunctive digital therapy for depression marks another step by pharmaceutical firms going digital for psychotherapy through collaborations.