Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:
1. GSK expedited the timelines for its second chance in treating multiple myeloma with Blenrep as it plans to submit it to US, European and Japanese regulatory authorities in the second half of 2024, which is earlier than the initial 2025 guidance. Encouraged by tripled progression-free survival rates from the DREAMM-7 trial, GSK will soon detail the path forward once DREAMM-8 data is revealed.
2. Pfizer revealed some minor alterations to its pipeline in its first-quarter update. Regulatory development of VTX-801, a gene therapy for the rare inherited disorder Wilson’s disease, and two possible new applications for ulcerative colitis drug Velsipity have been discontinued. However, Pfizer added or advanced 10 programs to its pipeline and earned five approvals across the US and EU.
3. Astellas Pharma and Poseida Therapeutics entered into their second deal for the development of off-the-shelf solid tumor cell therapies. Astellas subsidiary Xyphos Biosciences will incorporate a Poseida CAR-T construct to create two ‘convertible’ CAR-T therapy candidates.
4. Editas Medicine and Bristol Myers Squibb have extended their research deal for gene-edited alpha-beta T cell therapies into 2026. Meanwhile, KalVista Pharmaceuticals plans to halt work on its factor XIIa program in hereditary angioedema and intends to find a partner for it.
5. GSK experienced a successful first quarter of 2024 due to its vaccine portfolio, resulting in it pushing its operating profit growth forecast up to 9% to 11% for the rest of the year. The company aims to strengthen its innovative vaccine portfolio, especially its successful shingles vaccine Shingrix and RSV product Arexvy.
6. Real Chemistry introduced IRIS, an all-in-one dashboard providing real-time data that integrates clinical trial tracking along with consumer behaviors, payer, policy, and market access news. The service will be marketed to those in GLP-1 drug development, but potential expansions could include the fitness, food and beverage sectors.
7. Neurocrine Biosciences gained the go-ahead for a ‘Sprinkle’ addition to its existing drug, Ingrezza, a formulation produced specifically for patients with difficulty swallowing.
8. Piction Health recently raised $6 million in an effort to reduce waiting times for skin conditions.
9. Lastly, Eli Lilly has officially decided to scrap trials for Verzenio, Jardiance, and a gene therapy from Prevail Therapeutics.
