Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Roche licenses Novimmune’s anti-TLR4 antibody

Roche’s US subsidiary Genentech has acquired an exclusive option to commercialise Novimmune’s TLR4 antibody NI-0101, the very first personalised approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The compound has already proved safety and drugability in a Phase I dose escalation trail.

Biopesticides: Of strawberries and antibodies

Over the last decade, therapeutic antibodies have fundamentally changed approaches in different areas of medicine, providing the impetus for a big leap forward in the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases. But could they also soon have a lasting impact on agriculture? Some pioneers predict that – in the near future – peptides, proteins and RNA will be driving markets in the fast-growing biopesticide and biostimulant sectors.

Real World Data: Beyond clinical trials

Only a small fraction of carefully selected patients are allowed to enroll in randomised controlled trials involving new compounds – the gold standard of drug assessment. But trying to acquire the most significant efficacy and safety results for a new drug is one goal, treating patients every day in hospitals or practices with it is something else entirely. Discrepancies are inevitable. Now “real-world data” that’s been gathered in large observational studies is attempting to close the gap between experimental, artificial study settings and clinical realities.

Medigene offers neoantigen-specific TCRs

Until mid-October, cancer immunotherapy play Medigene AG was a pure drug developer. With a potential US$1bn TCR-contract manufacturing deal with Bluebird Bio, it widened its business focus. Now, the company presented a process that delivers neospecific anti-tumour TCRs.