Novartis reported savings of $0.5 billion in the first quarter from a series of measures designed to improve productivity as sales came under pressure from the loss of exclusivity for Glivec/Gleevec (imatinib), a kinase inhibitor used to treat multiple cancers.
In a review of the first quarter, the Roche Group has highlighted the progress of the checkpoint antibody atezolizumab, which is being investigated in both solid and haematologic cancers, and ocrelizumab, a new drug for multiple sclerosis.
In another strategy directed at immuno-oncology, Kymab Ltd has teamed up with Heptares to discover potential antibody therapeutics that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with a view to strengthening the ability of the immune system to fight cancer. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Researchers at the University College London Cancer Institute have found a way of using T-cells to attack cancer without involving the entire immune system.This selective approach has the potential of reducing side-effects but so far experiments have only been carried out in mice.
German researchers have identified an epigenetic approach for treating the second most common form of bone cancer affecting children and adolescents and two potential biomarkers for detecting the disease.
Researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) have taken stem cells from the fatty tissue of a 50-year old human and turned them into functional beta cells in a procedure that could potentially be used to treat diabetes.
The first drug to target a specific protein in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Venclexta (venetoclax) is designed to target the B-cell lymphoma 2 protein, which is overexpressed in many CLL patients.
Netherlands-based Forbion Capital Partners has closed its third life science fund at €183 million, enabling it to step up its investment into companies developing new drugs and medical technologies primarily located in Europe.
Keranova SA, a start-up company with a focus on ophthalmology, has obtained €4 million in Series A funding to develop an instrument for eye surgery that would require a minimum of manual intervention.
Japanese scientists have reported growing three-dimensional skin tissue in the laboratory and successfully transplanting it into mice where it connected with nerve and muscle tissue allowing the skin to function normally.