Immunology

Datopotamab deruxtecan Biologics License Application accepted in the US for patients with previously treated metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The safety profile of datopotamab deruxtecan was consistent with that observed in other ongoing trials with no new safety concerns identified.

Key Points: 
  • The safety profile of datopotamab deruxtecan was consistent with that observed in other ongoing trials with no new safety concerns identified.
  • Additional regulatory submissions for datopotamab deruxtecan in lung and breast cancer are underway globally.
  • A comprehensive global clinical development program is underway with more than 20 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan across multiple cancers, including NSCLC, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
  • Comparative Overall Survival of CDK4/6 Inhibitors Plus Endocrine Therapy vs. Endocrine Therapy Alone for Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Edgewood Oncology Emerges From Stealth with $20 Million in Series A Financing to Advance BTX-A51 in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Genetically-Defined Solid Tumors

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024

Edgewood acquired the rights to BTX-A51 from Yissum, the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in 2023 and will use the Series A funding to advance efficacy studies in AML and breast cancer.

Key Points: 
  • Edgewood acquired the rights to BTX-A51 from Yissum, the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in 2023 and will use the Series A funding to advance efficacy studies in AML and breast cancer.
  • “We formed Edgewood Oncology because of the synergistic mechanism of action and promising safety and anti-tumor data that was observed with BTX-A51 in Phase 1 in AML and solid tumor patients.
  • In a Phase 1 study in heavily pre-treated R/R AML patients, monotherapy BTX-A51 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and encouraging antileukemic activity.
  • As a next step, Edgewood initiated a study of BTX-A51 in combination with azacitidine in R/R AML patients in December 2023.

Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson Receive 2024 Humanitarian Award at the World Brain Mapping Foundation’s 21st Annual Gathering for Cure Awards

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 22, 2024

Inventor and philanthropist Dr. Gary K. Michelson and his wife Alya Michelson received the 2024 Humanitarian Award at the World Brain Mapping Foundation’s 21st Gathering for Cure (GFC) Awards Gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

Key Points: 
  • Inventor and philanthropist Dr. Gary K. Michelson and his wife Alya Michelson received the 2024 Humanitarian Award at the World Brain Mapping Foundation’s 21st Gathering for Cure (GFC) Awards Gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
  • The Humanitarian Award is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to survival and quality of life of patients across the Globe.
  • Previous recipients of the annual award include Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Ming Hsieh.
  • The World Brain Mapping Foundation focuses on helping wounded soldiers, brain and spine cancers, neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, MS, etc.

The Kinetix Group and Pfizer Health Equity Work Recognized by PM360

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 29, 2024

NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kinetix Group (TKG) and Pfizer Inflammation and Immunology received a PM360 Pharma Choice Award for their recent health equity initiative.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kinetix Group (TKG) and Pfizer Inflammation and Immunology received a PM360 Pharma Choice Award for their recent health equity initiative.
  • The Pfizer Inflammation and Immunology Strategic Customer Group originally developed the idea to address a gap in equitable patient and provider education resources surrounding atopic dermatitis.
  • "I am proud to be a part of a company like TKG, where there is a genuine commitment to addressing health equity and social determinants of health.
  • The Kinetix Group, a healthcare strategic advisory and marketing agency, is a part of Petauri.

Bridge Biotherapeutics Announces a Research Collaboration with the University of Colorado School of Medicine to Explore Potential of BBT-877 for Immuno-Oncology

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The collaboration will focus on exploring the potential of BBT-877, a novel autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, as an immuno-oncology treatment for cancer.

Key Points: 
  • The collaboration will focus on exploring the potential of BBT-877, a novel autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, as an immuno-oncology treatment for cancer.
  • "We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Torres's Lab to investigate the potential of BBT-877 as a novel immuno-oncology treatment," said James Lee, CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics.
  • Under the terms of the collaboration, Bridge Biotherapeutics will provide financial support and access to BBT-877, while Dr. Raul Torres's Lab will contribute its expertise in immunology and cancer biology.
  • Together, the two entities will conduct preclinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of BBT-877 in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

International Harrington Prize Awarded to Dr. Arlene Sharpe

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

CLEVELAND, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The eleventh annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine has been awarded to Arlene H. Sharpe, MD, PhD, Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology at Harvard Medical School. The award recognizes her breakthrough discoveries in immune regulation, which have established foundational principles in immunology and led to new cancer therapies that act by boosting the immune response to cancer.

Key Points: 
  • CLEVELAND, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The eleventh annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine has been awarded to Arlene H. Sharpe, MD, PhD, Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology at Harvard Medical School.
  • Her work helped identify key pathways that restrain the activity of T lymphocytes (immune cells) to fight cancer.
  • A committee composed of members of the ASCI Council and the Harrington Discovery Institute Scientific Advisory Board reviewed nominations from leading academic medical centers globally before selecting the 2024 Harrington Prize recipient.
  • 2023: Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, and Albert M. Maguire, MD, for their groundbreaking translational research to restore sight in inherited genetic diseases.

FDA Approves First Treatment for Patients with Liver Scarring Due to Fatty Liver Disease

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 14, 2024

NASH is a result of the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease where liver inflammation, over time, can lead to liver scarring and liver dysfunction.

Key Points: 
  • NASH is a result of the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease where liver inflammation, over time, can lead to liver scarring and liver dysfunction.
  • Rezdiffra is a partial activator of a thyroid hormone receptor; activation of this receptor by Rezdiffra in the liver reduces liver fat accumulation.
  • To enroll in the trial, patients needed to have a liver biopsy showing inflammation due to NASH with moderate or advanced liver scarring.
  • Patients should stop using Rezdiffra if they develop signs or symptoms of worsening liver function while on Rezdiffra treatment.

Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine to Co-Host 3rd Annual Virtual VISTA Symposium on March 27, 2024

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

SINGAPORE and HANOVER, Germany, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine today announced that the 3rd Annual VISTA Symposium will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (11:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET).

Key Points: 
  • SINGAPORE and HANOVER, Germany, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine today announced that the 3rd Annual VISTA Symposium will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (11:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET).
  • High VISTA expression in tumor correlates with poor survival in cancer patients and has been associated with a lack of response to other immune checkpoint inhibitors.
  • Pre-clinical data on VISTA biology and VISTA targeting have shown potent anti-tumor effects, and clinical readouts are expected this year.
  • The symposium will explore the important role of VISTA in cancer immunotherapy.

Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine to Co-Host 3rd Annual Virtual VISTA Symposium on March 27, 2024

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

SINGAPORE and HANOVER, Germany, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine today announced that the 3rd Annual VISTA Symposium will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (11:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET).

Key Points: 
  • SINGAPORE and HANOVER, Germany, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hummingbird Bioscience and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine today announced that the 3rd Annual VISTA Symposium will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (11:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET).
  • High VISTA expression in tumor correlates with poor survival in cancer patients and has been associated with a lack of response to other immune checkpoint inhibitors.
  • Pre-clinical data on VISTA biology and VISTA targeting have shown potent anti-tumor effects, and clinical readouts are expected this year.
  • The symposium will explore the important role of VISTA in cancer immunotherapy.

More than two-thirds of people with atopic dermatitis and skin of color experienced skin improvement in a first-of-its-kind lebrikizumab study

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, March 10, 2024

In this study, treatment with lebrikizumab, an investigational medicine, showed improvement in skin clearance and itch relief.

Key Points: 
  • In this study, treatment with lebrikizumab, an investigational medicine, showed improvement in skin clearance and itch relief.
  • These late-breaking results from a Phase 3 study are being presented today at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting.
  • "People with skin of color are disproportionately affected by atopic dermatitis, often experiencing more severe symptoms, a delay in diagnosis and a lengthier timeframe to find appropriate treatment.
  • "With these initial results, Lilly is taking a step toward investigating the needs of people with skin of color affected by atopic dermatitis."