Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Noxxon/MSD start testing of immunoncologic combo

Last December, Noxxon Pharma AG signed an agreement with Merck & Co./MSD to evaluate the synergistic potential of NOXA1/2 and pembrolizumab immune cancer therapy. Now, the companies have kicked off a Phase I/II study in patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

Allergies: Public Enemy Number One

The concept has been around for more than a century, but recent advances in the field are causing numerous experts to say it’s widely under­used. The goal of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is to induce a specific immune tolerance by confronting patients with increasing levels of allergens. AIT developers are now working on improving efficacy and safety, while at the same time trying to speed up the still lengthy process of desensitisation. Peanuts in particular are in the crosshairs, as they cause one of the most life-threatening common allergies in humans.

Diabetes: J&J and Seventure Partners launch investment

European venture capitalist Seventure Partners and  Johnson & Johnson have invested US$12m in Israel-based DayTwo. Based on HbA1c, lifestyle factors and genetic analysis of the individual microbiome, the company’s app analyses the individual microbiome to predict blood sugar responses to thousands of different foods.

CHMP recommends several biologics

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended two antivirals, one biosimilar and two cancer meds for approval at its June meeting.