A Phase 3 trial investigating a new small molecule drug for advanced fibrosis failed to meet its primary endpoint, sending the developer Gilead Sciences Inc back to the drawing board. The drug, selonsertib, was being investigated in patients with stage 3 fibrosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive liver disease characterised by the accumulation of fat and inflammation in the liver.
A new player in the gamma delta T cell therapy arena has brought a cancer therapy to the clinic – this time for acute myeloid leukaemia. Glasgow, UK-based TC BioPharm Ltd has started a Phase 1 study of an allogeneic cell therapy consisting of activated and expanded gamma delta T cells.
Gamma delta T cells are a subset of lymphocytes which have both innate and adaptive immune properties. Besides TC BioPharm, at least two other companies are active in the field: GammaDelta Therapeutics Ltd of the UK and Gadeta BV of the Netherlands.
The Belgian cell therapy company Promethera Biosciences SA has reported a positive safety profile and early efficacy signals from a Phase 2a study of its lead therapy for liver disease, HepaStem. HepaStem is an allogeneic therapy derived from the stem cells of healthy donors.
The stem cells are administered by infusion into the bloodstream of patients where they circulate until reaching the liver, settle and support regeneration.
Gilead Sciences Inc and Novo Nordisk A/S of Denmark have decided to pool their resources to test a new combination therapy for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a chronic and progressive liver disease characterised by the accumulation of fat and inflammation in the liver.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc has reported positive Phase 3 data for a trial of its ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) drug, givosiran, in patients with acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). AHP refers to a family of rare, genetic diseases characterised by potentially life-threatening attacks and for some patients, chronic debilitating symptoms that negative affect their quality of life.
UK-based Destiny Pharma Plc is stepping up the pace of development for its lead antibacterial XF-73 with the start of a 200-patient Phase 2b study in April. The topical treatment is being investigated for the prevention of post-surgical staphylococcal infections including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major public health threat. XF-73 is administered as a nasal gel where it has been shown to reduce the nasal carriage of the S. aureus bacteria.
An early stage chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy that targets an antigen expressed on myeloma cells has been singled out for a fast-track review by the European Medicines Agency. The cell-based gene therapy, JNJ-4528, is being co-developed by Nanjing Legend Biotech Co of China and Janssen Research & Development LLC.
Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences Inc have announced positive data from two ongoing Phase 3 trials of the Janus kinase-1 (JAK1) inhibitor filgotinib in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The trials, FINCH 1 and FINCH 3, met the primary and key secondary endpoints with favourable safety data at the 24 week cut-off date.
A prospective therapy for birch allergy failed to achieve the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 multi-center trial, according to the developer Allergy Therapeutics Plc. The therapy, B301, is a short-course treatment for birch-pollen induced seasonal allergic rhinitis.
It failed to show statistical significance relative to placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of the therapy were positive.
Record sums were invested in biotech companies in 2018 – especially in those at the early stage of development. According to the US industry association BIO, some $12.4 billion in venture capital was raised in the US for biotech, double the amount generated in 2017, while $600 million was raised in Europe.