Monoclonal antibodies still dominate the US$417bn biologics market. After decades of development, however, improved antibodies and protein formats with better target selectivity and safety profiles are now hitting markets and pipelines. A range of bi­specific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates – along with CAR-Ts, TCR-RTs and NK cell-based immunoreceptor constructs – were in focus at the PEGS Europe Summit.

Novo Nordisk is putting down up to US$362m to tap into Ascendis’ TransCon technology for treatments in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The pharma powerhouse has its sights set on developing a once-monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist.

The Strasbourg-based biotech company Transgene and the Berlin-based CDMO ProBioGen have entered into a licensing agreement to collaboratively advance the development of individualised cancer vaccines.

In both, liver fibrosis and resolution of MASH, Novo Nordisk’s GLP1 modulator semaglutide has shown convincing results in the Phase III ESSENCE study suggesting a label extension of the obesity blockbuster.

French Innate Pharma SA announced the appointment of Jonathan Dickinson as the Company’s newChief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Executive Board. He succeeds Hervé Brailly, co-founder of the Company, who was interim CEO, during the search process.

Radiopharmaceuticals specialist Blue Earth Therapeutics Ltd will use a U$76.5m Series A financing to finance Phase II development of its targeted prostate cancer radiopharmaceuticals Lutetium (177-Lu) rhPSMA-10.1 and Actinium (225-Ac) rhPSMA-10.1.