Drug Discovery

Genentech, Affimed sign $5bn cancer deal

Roche Group’s member Genentech has collaborated with Affimed for the development and commercialization of NK cell engager-based immunotherapeutics for multiple cancer targets.

Harbour BioMed raises $85m to accelerate growth of therapeutic pipeline

Biopharmaceutical company Harbour BioMed has secured $85m series B financing to advance the growth of its therapeutic pipeline, including both clinical and discovery stage programs.

JWP out-licenses atopic dermatitis drug JW1601 to LEO in $402m deal

South Korea-based JW Pharmaceutical (JWP) has entered into a global licensing agreement with LEO Pharma whereby the former will grant the latter's exclusive rights to develop and commercialize its atopic dermatitis drug JW1601 in a deal that could reach KRW450bn ($402m).

bluebird bio, Gritstone partner to develop cancer cell therapies

bluebird bio and Gritstone Oncology have partnered to research, develop and commercialize products for the treatment of cancer using cell therapy.

ApoGen Biotechnologies expands series A financing to $11m

ApoGen Biotechnologies, a biotechnology firm engaged in the development of a new class of therapeutics targeting drivers of cancer genomic mutations, has expanded its series A financing to a total of $11m.

CCAB partners with ImmunoBiochem to advance breast cancer therapeutic

The Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics (CCAB) has agreed to provide a new investment to help advance ImmunoBiochem’s novel breast cancer therapeutic candidate one step closer to the clinic.

Scientists discover potential druggable target for lung cancer treatment

Scientists in the UK claim to have identified a crucial molecular player in a subtype of lung cancer that could pave way for a new approach towards treating the condition.

Harbour BioMed signs $350m deal with Kelun-Biotech for ex-China rights to A167

Harbour BioMed and Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical (Kelun-Biotech) have entered into a partnership to develop and commercialize the latter’s A167, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, for the treatment of cancer.

Study finds new drug treatment could reduce liver transplants

Scientists in the UK believe that patients with sudden liver failure could benefit from a new treatment in the future that could cut down the need for transplants by preventing a process called senescence with certain anti-cancer therapy drugs.