Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

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.

Update of bioeconomy strategy unsure

Uncertainty regarding the amount of future funding and political support from the European Commission for the bioeconomy is set to hamper investments into the switch from oil-based industry production to renewable, bio-based manufacture in Europe. The schedule for the review of the bioeconomy strategy has been delayed until the end of 2017. More importantly, it is not yet certain if the strategy will be updated.

Roche’s lampalizumab halts geographic atrophy

A publication in Science Translational Medicine shows that Roche has a rising star in the 15 million patient market of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a Phase II trial, US and German researchers showed efficacy in geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of AMD, which has currently no treatment.

Epigenetic drugs set to boost immunoncology

German oncologists have unveiled that market-approved inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DMNTi) and histone deacetylases (HDACi) act through expression of cancer neoantigens. They already have a biomarker test to identify responders.

AMD: Novartis challenges Regeneron

Following shrinking sales for its wet AMD drug Lucentis, Novartis is back with convincing Phase III results of its anti-VEGF-A singe chain antibody fragment brolucizumab. In two pivotal studies the drug proved to be non-inferior to Regeneron/Bayer’s Eylea (aflibercept).

Evotec invests in Facio Therapies

Evotec and co-investors support Dutch Facio Therapies BV with €4.8m to push development of Dux4 inhibitors to treat facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy.

Delay in MAA for Asit Biotech’s BTT009

Belgian Asit Biotech S.A. (formerly Biotech Tools) has announced that its grass pollen allergic rhinitis immunotherapy gp-ASIT+ did reach the primary efficacy endpoint in a Phase III trial but needs confirmation through an additional Phase III study. Market access is receding into the distance.