Merck & Co.

Kineta Reports Initial Clinical Response Data at AACR 2024 of its Ongoing Phase 1/2 VISTA-101 Clinical Trial

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 8, 2024
Combination, CPI, Immunosuppression, Patient, Tumor microenvironment, Immunoglobulin G, Merck, Cancer, Pembrolizumab, Lung cancer, AACR, DLT, Clinical trial, Merck & Co., Kineta, NK, VISTA, Pharmaceutical industry

SEATTLE, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kineta, Inc. (Nasdaq: KA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immunotherapies in oncology that address cancer immune resistance, announced today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in San Diego, CA an update on its ongoing VISTA-101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating KVA12123, an anti-VISTA monoclonal antibody, as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Key Points: 
  • KVA12123 cleared the fifth of six monotherapy dose levels and the second of four cohorts in combination with pembrolizumab.
  • KVA12123 was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities (DLT) or cytokine related adverse events at any dose level.
  • Patients currently enrolled in the trial will be permitted to continue to participate.
  • KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

Transgene anticipates significant progress from immunotherapy pipeline in 2024 and extends financial visibility until Q4 2025

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
MSD, Research, Conference call, Conference, Head, AstraZeneca, E7, Patient, Merck & Co., Tumor microenvironment, Merck, News, R&I, Cancer, Virus, MD, E6, Lung cancer, AACR, NEC, European Journal, HPV16, Euronext Paris, De novo, Immune system, ASCO, Safety, Poster, Potyvirus, Pharmaceutical industry

Extended financial visibility secured until Q4 2025 through a revised credit facility provided by the major shareholder Institut Mérieux.

Key Points: 
  • Extended financial visibility secured until Q4 2025 through a revised credit facility provided by the major shareholder Institut Mérieux.
  • “During 2023 Transgene continued to make significant progress, delivering compelling data that confirm the value of our approach to treating cancer using our novel immunotherapies” commented Dr. Alessandro Riva, MD, Chairman and CEO of Transgene.
  • As announced on May 5, 2023, AstraZeneca terminated its oncolytic virus research and development collaboration with Transgene following a strategic review of its pipeline.
  • In 2024, Transgene expects to communicate progress and significant results and readout on all of its clinical stage assets.

Evaxion Announces Business Update and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
MSD, Conference, Innovation, Patient, Merck, Koala retrovirus, AI, Cancer, GHI, Merck & Co., Machine learning, European, Artificial intelligence

Closing of $5.3 million private placement on December 21, 2023, with participation of MSD Global Health Innovation Fund (MSD GHI), a corporate venture arm of Merck & Co., Inc., USA.

Key Points: 
  • Closing of $5.3 million private placement on December 21, 2023, with participation of MSD Global Health Innovation Fund (MSD GHI), a corporate venture arm of Merck & Co., Inc., USA.
  • MSD GHI is now the single largest shareholder in Evaxion, with ownership of around 15%.
  • COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX) (“Evaxion” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage TechBio company specializing in developing AI-Immunology™ powered vaccines, today provides a business update and announces full year 2023 financial results.
  • Evaxion hosted an R&D Day on March 19, 2024, providing deeper insights into the validated and differentiated AI-Immunology™ platform.

Pharmaceutical CDMO Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024: Increasing Demand for One-Stop-Shop CDMOs and Orphan Drug Discovery - Global Forecast to 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Health, CDMO, Growth, Patient, Knowledge, DSM-IV codes, Cancer, Commercial, Merck & Co., Oncology, Investment, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen, Drug development, API, Patent, Therapy, USD, Fine chemical

The global pharmaceutical CDMO market size is anticipated to reach USD 235.5 billion by 2030 and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Points: 
  • The global pharmaceutical CDMO market size is anticipated to reach USD 235.5 billion by 2030 and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030.
  • A growing consumption of biopharmaceuticals, rising demand for advanced therapeutics, demand for orphan drug discovery, upsurge number of clinical trials and increasing demand for one-stop-shop CDMOS are anticipated to influence the global market positively.
  • As pharmaceutical companies invest more in R&D, they may seek external expertise and resources to accelerate drug development processes.
  • CDMOs provide specialized services in drug development, manufacturing, and testing, making them valuable partners for pharmaceutical companies looking to outsource certain aspects of their R&D activities.

PureTech Launches Seaport Therapeutics with $100 Million Oversubscribed Series A and Announces Management Transitions

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Biotechnology, General Health, Health, Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Depression, Eli Lilly, Major depressive disorder, Patient, Bristol Myers Squibb, PureTech Health, PRTC, Therapy, Creativity, Disorder, General counsel, CNS, Life, DSM-IV codes, Pleasure, Pharmacokinetics, Interim, Third Rock Ventures, U.S. FDA, Schizophrenia, KarXT, Teva Pharmaceuticals, ARCH Venture Partners, Merck, Anxiety, Merck & Co., Research and development, FDA, Lymphatic system, Hepatotoxicity, Sirna Therapeutics, Generalized anxiety disorder, Growth, Neuropsychiatry, Partner, Multimedia, Eli Lilly and Company, Probability, Liver, Medicine, Pharmaceutical industry

Following the Series A financing, PureTech will hold equity ownership in Seaport of 61.5 percent on a diluted basis.

Key Points: 
  • Following the Series A financing, PureTech will hold equity ownership in Seaport of 61.5 percent on a diluted basis.
  • Under its license agreement with Karuna, PureTech retains the right to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of certain regulatory approvals.
  • Eric Elenko, Ph.D., a PureTech co-founder and current Chief Innovation Officer, has been promoted to the role of President of PureTech.
  • Daphne Zohar, the Chief Executive Officer of Seaport, is the founder and former CEO of PureTech Health where she also co-founded Karuna Therapeutics.

Aerovate Therapeutics Announces Full-Year 2023 Financial Results and Business Highlights

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024
Research, Conference, ATS, Actelion, Patent, Intellectual, Patient, Inhalation, Travel, Merck, Sale, American Thoracic Society, Investment, Clinical trial, Merck & Co., Therapy, PAH, Pharmaceutical industry

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $122.4 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $135.2 million as of September 30, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $122.4 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $135.2 million as of September 30, 2023.
  • The decrease was primarily driven by operational costs for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023.
  • Net loss: Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $75.5 million as compared to $51.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  • Net loss included stock-based compensation expense of $11.9 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

KVA12123 Clears Additional Cohorts in Monotherapy and in Combination Therapy Arms in the Phase 1/2 VISTA-101 Clinical Trial; Initial Clinical Response Data Reported

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Combination, CPI, Immunosuppression, Patient, Tumor microenvironment, Merck, Cancer, Pembrolizumab, Lung cancer, DLT, Merck & Co., Kineta, NK, Pharmaceutical industry

SEATTLE, March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kineta, Inc. (Nasdaq: KA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immunotherapies in oncology that address cancer immune resistance, announced today an update on its ongoing VISTA-101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating KVA12123 as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. KVA12123 cleared the fifth of six monotherapy dose levels and the second of four cohorts in combination with pembrolizumab. KVA12123 was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities (DLT) or cytokine related adverse events at any dose level.

Key Points: 
  • KVA12123 cleared the fifth of six monotherapy dose levels and the second of four cohorts in combination with pembrolizumab.
  • KVA12123 was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities (DLT) or cytokine related adverse events at any dose level.
  • We continue to be encouraged by the safety profile of KVA12123, supporting advancement to higher doses,” said Thierry Guillaudeux, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Kineta.
  • KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

Merck Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Trial of MK-1084, an Investigational Oral KRAS G12C Inhibitor, in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for First-Line Treatment of Certain Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Oncology, Health, FDA, General Health, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, MSD, Congress, Mutation, NSCLC, Progression-free survival, Patient, Neoplasm, Merck & Co., Cancer, Lung cancer, TPS, MRK, ESMO, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, PD-L1, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical industry

“KRAS is among the most prevalent mutations in cancer and KRAS G12C is the most common KRAS mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories.

Key Points: 
  • “KRAS is among the most prevalent mutations in cancer and KRAS G12C is the most common KRAS mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories.
  • The primary endpoints of the study are progression-free survival and overall survival, and key secondary endpoints include objective response rate and duration of response.
  • Preliminary safety and efficacy data from this trial were previously presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in 2023.
  • MK-1084 is being developed through a collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Astex Pharmaceuticals (UK), a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

2024 Oncology Nurse Advisor Summit Shatters Attendance Records

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Oncology, Nursing, Education, Health, Continuing, Training, Diagnosis, RN, MHA, Inclusion, NACE, CPPS, Faculty, NSCLC, Real, ONA, American Cancer Society, Knowledge, DNP, Accreditation, Oncology nursing, AANP, Merck, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Bristol Myers Squibb, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, MSN, ANCC, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Summit, National Association, Hematology, Skin cancer, HMN, HME

Over 2,200 attendees enriched their knowledge in disease-specific and supportive care topics during the 9th Annual Oncology Nurse Advisor (ONA) Summit, which occurred from March 21-24, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Over 2,200 attendees enriched their knowledge in disease-specific and supportive care topics during the 9th Annual Oncology Nurse Advisor (ONA) Summit, which occurred from March 21-24, 2024.
  • New to the 2024 Summit was a one-day pre-conference Hematology Intensive on March 21 titled, What’s Blood Got to Do With It?
  • Also new to the Summit was the Real Solutions Virtual Poster Gallery, which presented real-life, innovative strategies and quality improvement solutions submitted by oncology nurses, which were selected for the Summit through a blind review by ONA Summit course directors.
  • Paula Anastasia, MN, RN, AOCN®, GYN Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, UCLA Health Sciences, participated in the Summit as Clinical Advisor, Peer Reviewer and Expert Moderator.

Nimble Therapeutics Expands its Drug Discovery Capabilities to Advance Pipeline to the Clinic

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Oncology, Health, Infectious Diseases, Radiology, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Pfizer, De Montfort University, Drug discovery, Yale University, BU, Harvard University, Patient, Flavell, Immunology, Merck, Head, Wetzler, Merck & Co., IND, Rhône-Poulenc, Therapy, CSO, American Chemical Society, Medicinal chemistry, Peptide, Pharmaceutical industry

In addition to the new site, Nimble also announced the appointment of two senior leaders to spearhead the drug discovery efforts and catalyze the build out of the Philadelphia site and team.

Key Points: 
  • In addition to the new site, Nimble also announced the appointment of two senior leaders to spearhead the drug discovery efforts and catalyze the build out of the Philadelphia site and team.
  • Shelley Allen will join as Head of Drug Discovery and will lead the advanced optimization and characterization of clinical candidate peptides and their progression into the clinic.
  • Munir Mosaheb will join as Head of Biology and will lead the pharmacological, immunological and translational aspects of Nimble’s drug discovery programs.
  • She joined Nimble from Think Bioscience where she was VP, Medicinal Chemistry, and responsible for establishing drug discovery teams and capabilities to develop their internal programs.