Sanofi SA said it is stopping clinical development of the JAK2 inhibitor, fedratinib, following reports of cases consistent with Wernicke’s encephalopathy in patients participating in the trials. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by biochemical lesions of the CNS and is related to vitamin B1 insufficiency.
The first of two Phase 3 studies of a new treatment for chronic coronary heart disease, darapladib, has failed to meet its primary endpoint, GlaxoSmithKline Plc said. The endpoint was time to first occurrence of any major adverse cardiovascular event.
Anergis SA of Switzerland has provided further data on its lead vaccine for birch pollen allergy which showed that the treatment increased allergen-specific antibody levels by a factor of 20, indicating an immunological response.
Network pharmacology is an approach to drug discovery and development that is gaining increasing attention from the medical community.
At a time when investors are shying away from technology platform companies, one UK biotech with a platform focus continues to enjoy the support of several large funders. Circassia Ltd recently reported positive data from Phase 2 studies of its immunotherapy technology in patients with grass and house dust mite allergies. A third product against cat allergy is now in Phase 3.
Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH of Germany has raised €34 million from its existing investors in a Series D financing round, enabling it to conclude development of a therapeutic cancer vaccine intended as a first-line treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma in combination with the current standard of care, Sutent (sunitinib).
The US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to give Alkermes Plc’s candidate drug for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder a ‘fast track’ designation which means the company can have more frequent interactions with the regulator.
Merck Serono has changed course and decided to continue development of its MUC1 antigen-specific immunotherapy against non-small lung cancer focusing on a patient subgroup. The Phase 3 trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment with the FDA.
Drisapersen, an antisense oligonucleotide being developed by GlaxoSmithKline Plc for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study – intended to lead to registration in the US.
Trials of potential treatments for both early and late-onset Alzheimer’s diseases are among seven projects to receive $45 million in new funding from the National Institutes of Health as part of a US effort to accelerate research into the disease.