Drug Discovery

Incyte, MacroGenics sign licensing agreement for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody MGA012

Incyte and MacroGenics have entered into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement for MacroGenics’ MGA012, an investigational monoclonal antibody that inhibits programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1).

Aurinia to expand voclosoprin renal franchise

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals revealed plans to expand its voclosoprin renal franchise to include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD).

Boehringer Ingelheim partners with TARGET to progress NASH research

TARGET PharmaSolutions announced that Boehringer Ingelheim International has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership for TARGET-NASH.

Alnylam, Vir to jointly advance RNAi therapeutics for infectious diseases

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Vir Biotechnology for the development and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics for infectious diseases, including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

UK’s NICE makes Nivolumab available for head and neck cancer patients

UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has made nivolumab (Opdivo) made by Bristol-Myers Squibb available for patients with head and neck cancer who did not respond to chemotherapy within six months, and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Moffitt researchers discover new targets for approved cancer drug

A team of researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center used cellular drug screening, functional proteomics and computer-based modeling to determine whether drugs with well-known targets may be repurposed for use against other biological targets.

PanOptica secures $11m to advance clinical development novel topical anti-VEGF eye drop

PanOptica a private biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative ophthalmology therapies, announced that it has secured $11m in a series B financing.

Visterra closes $46.7m series C financing to advance pipeline of precision antibody-based biological medicines

Visterra has completed a series C financing round raising a total of $46.7m, including a new extension totaling $23.6m.

Ligand to acquire Crystal Bioscience

Ligand Pharmaceuticals has announced the signing of a merger agreement whereby Ligand will acquire Crystal, a leader in avian genetics and the generation of fully-human therapeutic antibodies.