Drug development

MAIA Biotechnology Appoints Leading Immuno-Oncology Scientist Dr. Remus Vezan as Scientific Advisor

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

CHICAGO, IL, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (“MAIA”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced the appointment of immuno-oncology leader Remus Vezan, M.D., Ph.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, IL, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (“MAIA”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced the appointment of immuno-oncology leader Remus Vezan, M.D., Ph.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
  • Dr. Vezan currently serves as Vice President, Global Clinical Development at BeiGene.
  • Vezan holds vast experience in guiding oncology assets through all stages of development, from research to clinical strategies and registration.
  • Dr. Remus Vezan commented, “It is my pleasure and privilege to join MAIA as scientific advisor and support the efforts of the MAIA team in advancing the clinical development of its first-in-class telomere targeting agent.

Derm-Biome Pharmaceuticals prepares to begin IND-enabling studies for DB-007-4, a potential best-in-class treatment for inflammatory skin diseases

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Toxicology studies are an essential part of drug development as they help to evaluate the potential safety and toxicity of a drug candidate before it is tested on humans.

Key Points: 
  • Toxicology studies are an essential part of drug development as they help to evaluate the potential safety and toxicity of a drug candidate before it is tested on humans.
  • There is a real need for skin disease drugs that offer high efficacy and a low risk of adverse effects with long-term use.
  • For conditions like AD, an inflammatory skin disease that affects up to 25% of babies and young children, there is a need for safer treatment options.
  • DB-007-4 is a topical multi-disease treatment that targets important pathways that play a vital role in the development of inflammatory skin diseases while being well-tolerated by skin.

Telix Expands U.S. Development and Manufacturing Infrastructure with Acquisition of IsoTherapeutics

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

Founded in 2005, IsoTherapeutics is a privately held, commercial-stage company, which provides radiochemistry and bioconjugation development and contract manufacturing services to many companies in the radiopharmaceutical industry, including Telix.

Key Points: 
  • Founded in 2005, IsoTherapeutics is a privately held, commercial-stage company, which provides radiochemistry and bioconjugation development and contract manufacturing services to many companies in the radiopharmaceutical industry, including Telix.
  • In line with Telix’s continued investment in the vertical integration of supply chain, manufacturing and development capabilities, the acquisition is expected to further enhance Telix’s in-house drug development capabilities.
  • A key driver for the acquisition is to enable Telix to bring select aspects of its development programs in-house, with the goal of reducing cost and time to achieve technical milestones.
  • The acquisition will also expand Telix’s U.S. manufacturing footprint with a site that includes a GMP1 clean room and production infrastructure suitable for clinical use.

BullFrog AI Appoints Globally Renowned Biomedical AI Expert Dr. Thomas W. Chittenden as Chief Scientific Officer

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

Prior to his role at BioAI Health, Dr. Chittenden was the President, Chief Technology Officer, and Founding Director of the AI/ Scientific Machine Learning (SciML) Research and Development Initiative at HiberCell.

Key Points: 
  • Prior to his role at BioAI Health, Dr. Chittenden was the President, Chief Technology Officer, and Founding Director of the AI/ Scientific Machine Learning (SciML) Research and Development Initiative at HiberCell.
  • At BullFrog AI, Dr. Chittenden will lead the scientific strategy to further develop and implement cutting-edge AI-driven platforms for drug discovery and development.
  • Dr. Chittenden commented, "I am thrilled to join BullFrog AI and to contribute to the Company's innovative approach to drug development.
  • Dr. Chittenden's appointment as Chief Scientific Officer of BullFrog AI, effective February 26, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the Company as it continues to pioneer a new era of AI technology-enabled drug development.

PharmAla named an Intellectual Property Ontario Client

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. (“PharmAla” or the “Company”) (CSE: MDMA) (OTC:MDXXF), a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of LaNeo™ MDMA and novel derivatives of MDMA (MDXX class molecules) announces today that it has been accepted as a client of Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON).

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. (“PharmAla” or the “Company”) (CSE: MDMA) (OTC:MDXXF), a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of LaNeo™ MDMA and novel derivatives of MDMA (MDXX class molecules) announces today that it has been accepted as a client of Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON).
  • PharmAla is further pleased to note that IPON has approved its initial Scope of Work pertaining to the national phase entry into numerous markets of the PharmAla ALA and ABA molecule families and will provide a non-dilutive grant of approximately $35,000 to PharmAla to complete this work.
  • “We are pleased to be recognized as a worthy recipient of this grant funding from the Province of Ontario and IPON,” said Dr. Harpreet Kaur, VP of Research at PharmAla Biotech.
  • “As our drug discovery program continues to bear fruit, locking in valuable intellectual property remains a crucial and integral part of PharmAla’s long-term drug discovery program.

Avenue Therapeutics Announces Publication in Drug Development Research Highlighting First-In-Class Preclinical Data of BAER-101 in a Translational Model of Absence Epilepsy

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

MIAMI, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATXI) (“Avenue” or the “Company”), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of neurologic diseases, today announced the publication of preclinical in vivo data in Drug Development Research highlighting BAER-101’s full suppression of seizure activity using the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (“GAERS”) model of absence epilepsy.

Key Points: 
  • MIAMI, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATXI) (“Avenue” or the “Company”), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of neurologic diseases, today announced the publication of preclinical in vivo data in Drug Development Research highlighting BAER-101’s full suppression of seizure activity using the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (“GAERS”) model of absence epilepsy.
  • The publication describes the extent of anti-seizure activity of BAER-101 in the GAERS model, a widely used and translationally relevant animal model.
  • The study demonstrated full suppression of seizure activity with a minimal effective dose (MED) of 0.3 mg/kg.
  • “The preclinical data published in Drug Development Research demonstrate BAER-101’s ability to fully suppress seizures in the GAERS model, a translational animal model for anti-seizure drug development with a documented high predictability of response in humans.

Notable Advances Volasertib Phase 2 Program Utilizing Proprietary Predictive Precision Medicine Platform-Guided Enrollment

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Notable is developing its lead drug asset volasertib with its proprietary PPMP for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (r/r AML).

Key Points: 
  • Notable is developing its lead drug asset volasertib with its proprietary PPMP for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (r/r AML).
  • “We in-licensed volasertib because of its robust clinical experience in Boehringer Ingelheim’s expansive Phases 1-3 program and our PPMP data that distinguished predicted volasertib-responders from predicted non-responders based on samples from patients with AML.
  • We therefore believe that PPMP will focus volasertib’s development on clinically responding patients, boost its clinical response rate and enhance patient outcomes,” continued Dr. Bock.
  • This analysis suggests that standardizing best supportive care and introducing body surface area-based dosing are likely to enhance patient responses and tolerability.

Ikena Oncology Appoints Caroline Germa, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

BOSTON, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ikena Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKNA, “Ikena,” “Company”), a targeted oncology company forging new territory in patient-directed cancer treatment, today announced the resignation of Dr. Sergio Santillana and the appointment of Dr. Caroline Germa as Chief Medical Officer. Her addition comes at a pivotal time with the Company’s focus on its clinical programs, IK-930 and IK-595, underscoring Ikena’s commitment to driving innovation in the targeted oncology space.

Key Points: 
  • Caroline Germa, M.D., an accomplished senior executive and medical oncologist, brings over 25 years of pharmaceutical and drug development expertise
    Dr. Germa will drive clinical development strategy and oversee the execution of targeted oncology programs, IK-930 and IK-595
    BOSTON, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ikena Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKNA, “Ikena,” “Company”), a targeted oncology company forging new territory in patient-directed cancer treatment, today announced the resignation of Dr. Sergio Santillana and the appointment of Dr. Caroline Germa as Chief Medical Officer.
  • Prior to Ikena, Dr. Germa served as the EVP, Global Medicine Development, and Chief Medical Officer at Transcenta Therapeutics, where she played a pivotal role in shaping strategic goals for the company’s oncology and non-oncology portfolio, ensuring successful execution across all clinical development functions.
  • Dr. Germa added, “I am thrilled to be joining Ikena at a time when it is primed for clinical inflection across the pipeline.
  • Dr. Santillana’s leadership was integral to bringing our programs into the clinic, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

PharmaTher’s Sairiyo Therapeutics Inc. Advances Clinical Development of Patented Reformulated Cepharanthine for Phase 1 Study in Australia

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

In pursuit of its clinical strategy for PD-001, Sairiyo is establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia to conduct the proposed Phase 1 study and capitalize on drug development incentives in Australia.

Key Points: 
  • In pursuit of its clinical strategy for PD-001, Sairiyo is establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia to conduct the proposed Phase 1 study and capitalize on drug development incentives in Australia.
  • Sairiyo could earn a 43.5 percent rebate from the Australian Federal Government’s Research and Development tax incentive program.
  • Sairiyo has commenced working on a regulatory application to the TGA for its proposed Phase 1 study in Australia.
  • We expect to submit the regulatory package to the TGA for a proposed Phase 1 clinical study in Australia in Q2-2024.”

Paratus Sciences Appoints Theresa Heah, M.D., M.B.A. as Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Heah assume the helm at Paratus,” said Amir Nashat, Executive Partner of Polaris Partners, chair of Paratus’s Board of Directors and the company’s founding CEO.

Key Points: 
  • “We are thrilled to have Dr. Heah assume the helm at Paratus,” said Amir Nashat, Executive Partner of Polaris Partners, chair of Paratus’s Board of Directors and the company’s founding CEO.
  • “Theresa brings a tremendous wealth of experience as a seasoned pharma and biotech executive, having spearheaded the development and commercialization of multiple innovative therapies.
  • She most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Intergalactic Therapeutics, a non-viral gene therapy platform company.
  • Under Amir’s leadership, Paratus has made important progress advancing this premise into a state-of-the-art R&D engine.