Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:
Healthcare Market Update: Significant Pharma & Biotech Developments.
1. LifeMine Plans for T-cell Immunosuppressive and Antifungal Clinical Trial:
LifeMine Therapeutics plans to enter the clinical trial for its T-cell immunosuppressive and antifungal by early next year. The biotech might raise a crossover round late 2024 or early 2025 on the route to the clinic, CEO Greg Verdine says.
2. Madrigal Nearly Ready for Potential NASH Launch:
Ahead of an FDA decision, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals has said it is well on its way to a potential Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) launch. If granted, the new drug resmetirom would be the first approved treatment in a field dominated by failure.
3. Emergent Gains $235.8M US Government Contract for Anthrax Vaccine:
Emergent BioSolutions has secured a contract worth up to $235.8 million from the US Department of Defense. The agency will supply the FDA-approved anthrax vaccine BioThrax to the US military.
4. Gilead Case Proceeds for Delaying Release of Safer HIV Drug:
Gilead can be held liable for delaying the release of an HIV drug that was known to be safer than a product it was already marketing. The lawsuit alleges that Gilead intentionally deferred the roll-out of the new drug to maximize profits from the old one.
5. Praxis Prices $150M Public Stock Offering Ahead of Topline Neuro Readouts:
Neuroscience-focused company Praxis Precisions Medicines has announced the pricing for a $150 million public stock offering. The offering comes ahead of topline results expected from four studies set to be unveiled in 2024.
6. Dermavant’s Positive Phase III Eczema Data:
Dermavant has reported positive Phase III data for its atopic dermatitis cream Vtama. More than 80% of participants in two studies saw at least a 75% improvement in a skin-clearing endpoint (EASI75).
7. First Human Vaccine Trial for Nipah Virus Launched by Oxford:
University of Oxford researchers have launched the first human vaccine study for the deadly Nipah virus. The vaccine uses the same platform as AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 one.
8. Inventiva Secures €25M Lifeline for Phase III NASH Trial:
NASH biotech Inventiva has secured a €25 million bullet credit from the European Investment Bank. This will fund the company’s Phase III lanifibrano trial until the start of Q3 2024.
