Merck & Co.

Merck Announces Plans to Conduct Clinical Trials of a Novel Investigational Multi-Valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine and Single-Dose Regimen for GARDASIL®9

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Biotechnology, Health, Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Oncology, MSD, Hypersensitivity, Pregnancy, Wart, Head, Congress, Recombinant, Multiple endocrine neoplasia, Dizziness, Safety, Vain, Headache, Bruise, Public, Syncope, Ageing, Merck & Co., Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, Anal cancer, Virus-like particle, Observation, CIN, Thigh, Human, HPV, Plant, Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, Nausea, MRK, VLP, Investment, Immunity, Fever, Erythema, Vaccination, Injury, Vaccine, Allergy, Itch, AIN, Swelling

Separately, the company also plans to conduct clinical trials in both females and males to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single-dose regimen of GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent, recombinant), compared to the approved three-dose regimen.

Key Points: 
  • Separately, the company also plans to conduct clinical trials in both females and males to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single-dose regimen of GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent, recombinant), compared to the approved three-dose regimen.
  • Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
  • The latest addition to the pipeline employs the company’s proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) technology to incorporate additional VLPs for expanded HPV type coverage.
  • These randomized, double-blind, multi-year clinical trials will examine the short and long-term efficacy and immunogenicity of a single-dose of GARDASIL 9 versus the currently approved three-dose regimen.

Pearl Bio Inks Collaboration with Merck to Discover Novel Engineered Biologics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Biotechnology, FDA, Diabetes, Health, Legal, Pharmaceutical, Professional Services, Oncology, Other Science, Research, Infectious Diseases, General Health, Genetics, Science, MSD, Entrepreneurship, Yale University, Partnership, Synthetic biology, Epitope, Khosla Ventures, Pearl, Merck & Co., Merck, GRO, Cancer, Stanford University, Scottish Register of Tartans, Pharmaceutical industry

Pearl Bio (a synthetic biology company backed by Khosla Ventures) today announced that it has entered a license, collaboration and option agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, to discover biologic therapies comprising non-standard amino acids.

Key Points: 
  • Pearl Bio (a synthetic biology company backed by Khosla Ventures) today announced that it has entered a license, collaboration and option agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, to discover biologic therapies comprising non-standard amino acids.
  • "Merck is excited to collaborate with Pearl, a pioneer in developing recoded organisms, to produce novel biologics enabled by synthetic chemistries,” shared Juan Alvarez, Vice President of Discovery Biologics at Merck Research Laboratories.
  • Backed by Khosla Ventures, Pearl Bio was launched by Scientific Co-Founders Drs.
  • (Pearl Bio) bringing together an exclusive platform technology to advance multi-functionalized biologics and biomaterials by encoding synthetic chemistries.

Merck Completes Acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc.

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024
Science, Biotechnology, Research, Pharmaceutical, Oncology, Health, FDA, Clinical Trials, MSD, Glomus tumor, Carcinoma, EPS, BCMA, Patient, Neoplasm, Merck & Co., Acquisition, Cancer, Epithelial cell adhesion molecule, DLL3, MRK, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, B-cell maturation antigen, SCLC, Food, Pharmaceutical industry

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the completion of the acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HARP).

Key Points: 
  • Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the completion of the acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HARP).
  • Harpoon is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck, and Harpoon’s common stock will no longer be publicly traded or listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
  • “We continue to augment and diversify our oncology pipeline with innovative approaches to help people with cancer worldwide,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories.
  • Under the terms of the merger agreement, Merck, through a subsidiary, has acquired all outstanding shares of Harpoon.

FarmSee Ltd Announces the Completion of a Minority Investment in its Swine Monitoring Platform

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 15, 2024
MSD, Health, Growth, Pig, Merck, Behavior, MRK, Schering-Plough, HOD, Merck & Co., Animal, Artificial intelligence

HOD HASHARON, Israel, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FarmSee, a pioneer in camera-based Artificial Intelligence ("AI") solutions for swine monitoring and production optimization, is excited to announce a strategic collaboration with MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK).  MSD Animal Health, a biopharmaceuticals and technology solutions company, has participated in FarmSee's A round and has entered into a long-term agreement to integrate FarmSee's AI- based weighing technology into its global offerings for swine producers. FarmSee also has partnered with Munters (STO:MTRS) in their A round funding.

Key Points: 
  • FarmSee also has partnered with Munters (STO:MTRS) in their A round funding.
  • FarmSee's Initial focus is on continuous individual weight monitoring, which is critical for tracking the animals' growth pattern.
  • "This collaboration not only validates the value of our technology but also opens new opportunities for growth and expansion for FarmSee.
  • We look forward to the growth and development of FarmSee's swine-monitoring technology, which will integrate into our suite of identification, monitoring and traceability animal health solutions.

IDEAYA Announces Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate IDE161 in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
MSD, PARG, Apoptosis, Prostate cancer, Endometrial cancer, Colorectal cancer, RECIST, Patient, MSI, Merck & Co., Pembrolizumab, Medicine, MSS, Breast cancer, HRD, Therapy, ADP, PD-1, Pharmaceutical industry

"We are excited to enter this collaboration as it allows study within and beyond the homologous recombination deficient (HRD) setting in endometrial cancer," said Darrin Beaupre, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.

Key Points: 
  • "We are excited to enter this collaboration as it allows study within and beyond the homologous recombination deficient (HRD) setting in endometrial cancer," said Darrin Beaupre, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.
  • "We are very pleased to collaborate with Merck on this trial evaluating IDE161 in combination with KEYTRUDA in patients with MSI-high and MSS endometrial cancer.
  • Under the clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement, Merck will provide KEYTRUDA to IDEAYA, which will be the sponsor of the Phase 1 clinical combination trial.
  • The mechanistic rationale and preclinical data to support the IDE161 and PD-1 clinical combination will be provided as part of a future R&D update.

iTeos Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Investment, NSCLC, Therapy, The, Cancer, Metabolism, Merck, Research, Research and development, Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1, SITC, AACR, Koch Institute, Hub, ENT1, Immunity, Comprehension, Adenosine, Lymphocyte, Merck & Co., Administration, Patient, TIGIT, Survival, Place of birth, HNSCC, Immune system, Pharmaceutical industry

WATERTOWN, Mass. and GOSSELIES, Belgium, March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics for patients, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023 and provided a business update.

Key Points: 
  • and GOSSELIES, Belgium, March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics for patients, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023 and provided a business update.
  • “With the recent developments in the TIGIT field, we believe belrestotug is in an advantageous position and are excited for its future prospects.
  • We look forward to sharing updates from our Phase 2 trials focused on 1L NSCLC and 1L HNSCC in 2024.
  • On December 7, 2023, iTeos announced the appointment of David K. Lee to the Company’s Board of Directors.

iTeos Appoints Oncology Veteran Jill DeSimone to Its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Therapy, Senior, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Swim Across America, FDA, Bristol Myers Squibb, University, Merck & Co., Patient, Cancer, Pharmaceutical industry

“Expanding our board with industry leaders and oncology veterans with commercial, scientific, and corporate portfolio strategy experience is of the utmost importance for iTeos.

Key Points: 
  • “Expanding our board with industry leaders and oncology veterans with commercial, scientific, and corporate portfolio strategy experience is of the utmost importance for iTeos.
  • After the recent appointment of Servier’s David Lee, we are thrilled to welcome Jill DeSimone to our Board of Directors during an important time in iTeos’ evolution.
  • “By leveraging its comprehensive knowledge of tumor biology, iTeos has advanced a portfolio of promising therapeutic candidates addressing key immunological pathways involved in the development of cancer,” said Ms. DeSimone.
  • in Pharmacy from Northeastern University and completed a fellowship with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Aerovate Therapeutics Board of Directors Appoints Habib Dable as Board Chair

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Merck, Drug development, BIO, Sale, PAH, Merck & Co., Chairperson, Therapy, Bayer, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry

WALTHAM, Mass., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerovate Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs that improve the lives of patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected current Board member, Habib Dable, as Chair of the Board.

Key Points: 
  • WALTHAM, Mass., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerovate Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs that improve the lives of patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected current Board member, Habib Dable, as Chair of the Board.
  • Mr. Dable succeeds Mark Iwicki, who will continue to serve on the Board.
  • “We are pleased to have Habib take on the role of Chair of the Board,” said Tim Noyes, Chief Executive Officer of Aerovate Therapeutics.
  • I would also like to thank Mark for his significant contributions and commitment to Aerovate, and I look forward to continuing to work together.”
    “I am honored to assume the role of Board Chair for Aerovate during this exciting time for the company,” said Mr. Dable.

Increasing Incidence of Pancreatic Cancer Leading to a $6.85 Billion Dollar Market Size for New Treatments

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
MRK, Hospital, News, FOLFIRINOX, Growth, AbbVie, PR, Neutrophil, Poster, Diagnosis, Pancreatic cancer, HBV, Incidence, Cancer, TME, Hepatology, Interleukin, Therapy, Prostate cancer, Liver, Immune system, Partnership, Merck & Co., AIO, PSMA, Inflammation, Safety, TILS, GPCR, Tumor microenvironment, Research, Medication, PALM, ABBV, Merck, Macrophage, Blood, FDA, TSX, Food, Ageing, Pembrolizumab, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Government, Prevalence, Ocean Biomedical, LAVA, PDAC, Patient, MHRA, Disease, ONC, PEI, Pharmaceutical industry

Thus, an increase in the geriatric population is one factor driving the pancreatic cancer treatment market growth.

Key Points: 
  • Thus, an increase in the geriatric population is one factor driving the pancreatic cancer treatment market growth.
  • The incidence is significantly higher in the geriatric population above 65 years of age compared to other types of cancers.
  • A report from Fortune Business Insights said that: “the pancreatic cancer treatment market size is projected to grow to USD 6.85 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.7% during 2022-2029.
  • Companies engaged in manufacturing cancer drugs have increased their focus on R&D activities to develop new drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment.

ACTG Presents Study at CROI Elucidating Mechanism of CMV on Aging-Related Pathways in HIV

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024
Infection, Chairperson, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Diabetes, CMV, Metabolism, Merck, Cancer, Endothelial dysfunction, Fungal infection, NIAID, CROI, Inflammation, Blood, IL-6, Ageing, ACTG, Splenic infarction, Risk, Conference, Cytomegalovirus, University, ART, Biomarker, Merck & Co., University of California, UM1, Insulin resistance, Poster, Letermovir, Probability, Atherosclerosis, Plasma, TNF, HIV, University of North Carolina, Immune system, Brain

CMV is a chronic and usually asymptomatic virus carried by 60 percent of adults in the general population and more than 95 percent of people living with HIV.

Key Points: 
  • CMV is a chronic and usually asymptomatic virus carried by 60 percent of adults in the general population and more than 95 percent of people living with HIV.
  • Prior to the availability of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV, CMV caused life-threatening infections in the eyes, brain, and gut in people with compromised immune systems due to advanced HIV.
  • “Investigators have found associations between CMV and heart disease, cancer, and other aging-related complications among people living with HIV,” said ACTG Chair Judith Currier, M.D., M.Sc., University of California, Los Angeles.
  • ACTG is led by Dr. Currier and Joseph J. Eron, M.D., University of North Carolina (ACTG Vice-Chair).