lkov - adobe stock photoNovartis AG has reported a clinical milestone in the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome, with its BAFF receptor blocker Ianalumab (VAY736) becoming the first investigational therapy to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in disease activity in pivotal Phase III trials, as measured by the ESSDAI score.
Dewpoint Therapeutics IncDewpoint Therapeutics Inc. has announced a significant corporate restructuring. Approximately 70% of its 130 employees will be laid off, and operations will be consolidated at the company’s Boston headquarters. The company will close its two German locations in Frankfurt and Dresden and streamline its pipeline.
adobe stock photos - ndomble The European Commission has launched a public consultation to support the development of the European Biotech Act, which is now being prioritised after a previous delay. The Commission plans to publish the legislative proposal by the end of 2025 and is inviting stakeholders across the biotechnology sector to provide feedback on regulatory, financial, and operational barriers.
Ragon Institute/MITItalian biotech company ReiThera srl has commenced safety trials of its experimental HIV vaccine candidate, GRAdHIVNE1, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Developed in partnership with the Ragon Institute at Harvard University, this innovative HIV vaccine targets conserved regions of the viral gag, env, and pol genes to stimulate a robust cytotoxic T-cell immune response.
Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr. - http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp ID#: 70 US Department of Health and Human ServicesInitial clinical data indicate that the recombinant cysteine protease imlifidase, developed by Hansa Biopharma AB, may significantly reduce levels of anti-AAV antibodies, potentially enabling adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies in patients previously deemed ineligible due to pre-existing immunity.
Daniel Torok, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsUS President Donald Trump has set a deadline in a letter to the CEOs of the 17 leading Big Pharma companies for the announced reduction of prescription drug prices.
Maxwell Hamilton - wikipedia.orgFollowing Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)’s US$10bn acquisition of Verona Pharma and its potential COPD blockbuster Ohtuvayre®, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has secured a US$12bn deal for another PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor.
Lift Biosciences LtdLIfT BioSciences Ltd, active in London, Galway and Houston, has been awarded a grant of €12m from the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) to support the clinical translation of its Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs). This funding will enable the preparation of the world’s first allogeneic therapy using synthetically programmed neutrophil granulocytes for Phase I trials.
Celt Studio - adobe stock.comIn the ongoing dispute over US import tariffs on European pharmaceuticals, the European Commission has acquiesced to a 15% tariff on EU pharmaceutical exports to the United States, as well as to the imposition of the same rate on EU investments exceeding US$600m in the US, without formal resistance. Industry associations have reacted with strong criticism.
Bruno Coelho - stock.adobe.com The potential blockbuster HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor sevabertinib, developed jointly by Bayer AG and the Broad Institute, is expected to be submitted for regulatory approval in China in Q3 2025 for the treatment of HER2-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).