InScienceWeTrust Community

Join us at #BioverseWebinar Episode 12 to learn about #ArtificialIntelligence in #DrugDevelopment. Our expert panel will discuss advantages and limitations of AI in #DrugDiscovery of #SmallMolecule and #biologics, #ClinicalDevelopment, ethical considerations, IP protection, collaboration opportunities, and future trends. Let us decode the AI-powered future of medicine. We also welcome BioSpark Group to join us as a co-producer and the Chicago Booth Healthcare Club of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business as a promotion partner.

https://conta.cc/473f4nR The FDA is considering limiting approvals for PD-1 inhibitors in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. They are holding an Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting to discuss data supporting the restriction based on PD-L1 expression. This meeting would impact the existing or ongoing regulatory decisions on PD-1 blockers from BeiGene, Merck & Co, and BMS. Pfizer improved its clinical trial success rates from 2% in 2010 to 21% in 2020 by implementing the "Three Pillars of Survival" strategy. This approach focused on testing the mode of action, selecting the right indication, and objective decision-making. The success rates in mid- and late-stage trials significantly increased. Novartis and Versant Venture launched Borealis, a new kidney biotech, with $150M. Borealis includes core members of Chinook Therapeutics, acquired by Novartis in 2023 for $3.2Bn. The new company will focus on developing RNA therapies for kidney diseases. Partnerships between biopharma and VC funds are increasing, and more VC money would likely flow into VC/biopharma collaborations.

Don't miss out this exciting partnership panel discussion at BioSpark Group's inaugural annual conference. Our founder Leon 'Jun' T. will host a panel of experts in the global deal-making and investment sector. Both Erica Wang and John Wang are members of our community as well, and please join our Boston local chapter to mingle with other ISWT Community members who will attend this conference. Contact Jiamin Zhuo and Tenghui (Devin) Chen to learn more about our Boston local chapter.

https://conta.cc/3yKpITK Genentech is restructuring its oncology research, merging cancer immunology with molecular oncology. This decision aims to seize scientific opportunities and will impact a limited number of employees. The departure of Ira Mellman and other star scientists has raised concerns, but the move may signal a new approach to immuno-oncology. The Biden administration announced significant price reductions for ten drugs under the IRA's Medical Drug Price Negotiation Program. However, actual savings are less dramatic due to existing discounts. CEOs express concerns about long-term impacts on innovation and potential unintended consequences, such as limited patient access and higher launch prices for new drugs. South Korean biotechs prematurely partner their best assets due to stringent stock market rules and a bear market. This results in modest upfront payments compared to deals involving US, European, or Japanese companies, which was coined as “Korea Discount”. Following some recent deal-making successes by China biotechs, Korean biotechs could be better off by developing much fewer assets further down the pipeline.

Don't miss the inaugural annual conference of BioSpark Group. Join us at the #EpiCenter of the global #biotech industry. Our founder Leon 'Jun' T. will host a panel that features ISWTC members Erica Wang and John Wang, as well as industry leaders Marian Nakada, Ph.D. and Chong Xu. See you at Massachusetts Institute of Technology on September 14th. #InScienceWeTrust

#BioVerse Episode 12 continued our success, despite some last-minute technical challenges. We thank your impressive speakers from the industry-leading #AI companies. Last but not the least, our first-time host Shijing (Nora) Luo, who did an excellent job, and we expect to see you more often in the future.

https://conta.cc/4cmEbCT Curon Biopharma's lead asset was acquired by Merck for $700 million in cash, with potential milestone payments up to $600 million. Curon rose from obscurity to prominence in China's biotech sector. The acquisition is the highlight of the company's journey from "Global for China" to "China for Global". The anti-TIGIT space faced setbacks this week: Merck & Co. stopped the Keyvibe-008 trial due to futility in overall survival, and Bristol Myers Squibb terminated a deal for Agenus’ AGEN1777. Despite several recent high-profile failures, some experts believe TIGIT antagonism cannot be written off yet. Merck and Daiichi have expanded their partnership, with Daiichi investing $170 million to co-develop Merck's DLL3-targeting trispecific, MK-6070. This collaboration builds on their October 2023 deal over 3 ADCs. The FDA rejected Lykos Therapeutics' MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD due to issues like expectation bias, limited adverse event information, and potential trial misconduct. Lykos plans to request reconsideration.

Congrats to our members Zhihong Chen, Hao Jia, Ph.D., Jing Li, MD. PhD. MBA, and more, who played key role in this amazing story.

Congratulations to our members Hao Jia, Ph.D., Zhihong Chen, and others. Another day another #ChinaForGlobal deal between a #ChinaBiotech and a global #biopharma

https://conta.cc/4dtRJO6 ALX Oncology’s evorpacept, a CD47-blocking therapeutic, showed promise in the ASPEN-06 Phase 2 trial for HER2-positive gastric cancer. The combination of evorpacept with trastuzumab, CYRAMZA®, and paclitaxel achieved a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 40.3%, compared to 26.6% for the control group. However, the data turned out to be a lot worse than its topline suggests, and ALX Oncology lost about 50% of its market cap. Eisai’s Leqembi and Eli Lilly’s Kisunla offer different approaches for Alzheimer’s treatment, as both companies presented at last week’s AAIC in Philadelphia. Leqembi recommends chronic maintenance following initial infusions, while Kisunla suggests limited-duration dosing. Leqembi’s efficacy extends beyond three years, but both drugs target beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Adaptimmune Therapeutics received FDA approval for their TCR-T therapy Tecelra, targeting MAGE-A4 in synovial sarcoma. It is the first TCR-T cell therapy for solid tumors. However, the market responded with an ~18% stock drop. Challenges include modest projected sales, low profit margins for autologous cell therapies, and the need for commercial expertise. The industry’s pessimism toward oncology cell therapy also plays a role.