CytomX scraps lead ADC after phase 2 flop
To view this email as a web page, click here

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Legend scraps early stage CAR-T for lymphoma six weeks after clinical hold lifted

Legend has scrapped phase 1 plans for one of its early-stage CAR-T therapies six weeks after the FDA lifted a clinical hold on the trial. The move comes as the company is looking to prove it's not just a one-hit-wonder following the approval of Carvykti.

read more

Top Stories

Portage raids fellow biotech Tarus for adenosine receptor treasures

In a case of biotech-on-biotech M&A action, Portage Biotech will acquire Tarus Therapeutics and its haul of adenosine receptor antagonists.

read more

CytomX puts lead ADC on the block after phase 2 breast cancer data underwhelm

CytomX Therapeutics is pulling the plug on its lead candidate after getting a look at phase 2 data. One of the arms hit its primary endpoint but the data fell short of the bar CytomX set for further development, leading it to halt work and seek a partner for the prospect.

read more

Sponsored: Decentralized clinical trials, patient experience and the role of supply chain management

The rise of clinical trial complexity has been well-documented but the impact on logistics is not well understood. Here, we look at decentralized trials, patient experience and the role of logistics.

read more

Applied Molecular Transport’s UC drug hits roadblock after proving less effective than Humira

Applied Molecular Transport’s stock crashed down to earth this morning as the biotech’s inflammatory bowel disease drug failed to beat Humira in a phase 2 trial in ulcerative colitis.

read more

Amgen-backed Kernal Biologics pops off with $25M for mRNA platform

Kernal Biologics has bagged $25 million to advance its oncology messenger RNA (mRNA) tech, with backing from Big Pharma Amgen—and a former Bristol Myers Squibb leader joining the biotech’s exec team.

read more

Insilico Medicine's AI uncovers 28 new potential drug targets for ALS

Using its artificial intelligence programs, Insilico Medicine said it has identified more than a handful of previously untapped genomic targets that could provide avenues to new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and potentially rescue patients from the neurodegenerative effects of the disease better known as ALS.

read more

FDA lets pharmacists prescribe Pfizer's Paxlovid, easing access to the COVID antiviral

The FDA has tweaked its emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid, allowing pharmacists to provide the antiviral treatment to those who have been recently infected and are at risk for progressing to a severe form of the virus. The adjustment will allow greater access to the medicine.

read more

Care Access buys Brazilian research firm as part of regional expansion

Latin America is an opportunity for the decentralized trial sector, according to Care Access, which is putting its money where its mouth is with the acquisition of a study unit in Brazil.

read more

Study finds rampant 'phantom' docs on Medicaid network directories in Oregon

A study published in Health Affairs found a majority of mental health providers don't see Medicaid patients in Oregon despite being on managed care directories.

read more

Merck said to near $40B deal to buy Seagen. But will FTC rain on their parade?

Weeks after speculation surrounding a potential Merck acquisition of Seagen first surfaced, the two companies are now reportedly nearing a deal that could be the biopharma world’s largest since 2020—unless antitrust regulators intervene.

read more

Senate Democrats release deal on drug price negotiations, Part D and Medicare Advantage cap

Senate Democrats released a deal Wednesday aimed at giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices and include inflationary caps on Medicare drug costs.

read more

Lotte Biologics plots $77M investment at former BMS plant, where it aims to add 70 jobs

More details have emerged surrounding Lotte Group’s gung-ho push into the contract manufacturing arena, which first kicked off in May with the purchase of a Bristol Myers Squibb manufacturing plant in East Syracuse, New York.

read more

Resources

Executive Summary: Highly Potent API Drug Product Development and Manufacturing using Micronization Technology

Pharmaceutical drug developers continue to realize the strong therapeutic potential of highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs). This is particularly true for therapeutic areas such as oncology, where highly potent drugs are becoming more commonplace.

Event: Cancer Progress 2022: Event Highlights & Session Recordings

Check out our 22 on-demand panels, featuring 100+ speakers. Tap into discussions of scientific progress in oncology around development, regulatory, clinical, commercial and investment perspectives.

Executive Summary: Effective Scale-Up and Technology Transfer Strategies for Spray Dried Pharmaceutical Products

Pharmaceutical development companies face several challenges when developing orally bioavailable formulations of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Up to 70% of new drug molecules are poorly soluble in gastrointestinal fluids and can exhibit poor absorption across the gut wall.

Case Study: Roche cuts feasibility process by 36%

Explore how Cognizant SIP helped Roche streamline its global feasibility process.

eBook: 12 Pitfalls in Europe

For an emerging biopharma company, Europe can be very attractive. But it can also be complex and confusing. This e-book covers the 12 most common pitfalls for companies entering European markets for the first time, offering guidance to help growing companies avoid them and succeed.

Whitepaper: The Most Suitable Dosage Form Technologies for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations

What is the most suitable dosage form technology for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations?

Whitepaper: Jump Start for Biotech: New Lab Startup Guide

Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific The journey for starting or expanding a lab can be exhilarating, while also being challenging--learn how this free program provides savings and solutions to support your goals.

Article: Formulation Strategies When Transitioning From Vial to PFS

Learn how formulation development for a PFS affects manufacturing to drive the industry toward optimizing delivery of injectable products and, ultimately, improving patient care.

eBook: Download the Cell Therapy Handbook

Explore the new cell therapy handbook from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Whitepaper: Catalent Pulmonary & Nasal Delivery Capabilities Sheet

Did you know Catalent has newly expanded in-house capabilities spanning clinical and commercial scale manufacturing for DPIs, unit-dose, bi-dose and preserved multi-dose nasal sprays?

eBook: Orally Inhaled & Nasal Drug Delivery: A Pipeline of Opportunities

Orally Inhaled & Nasal Drug Delivery: A Pipeline of Opportunities

Whitepaper: Intranasal Drug Product Development: Formulation to Manufacturing

What are key considerations for intranasal delivery in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions?

Events