BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH
Innate Pharma | January 17, 2023
On January 16, 2023, Innate Pharma SA announced the publication of preclinical findings demonstrating the control of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by a trifunctional NKp46-CD16a-NK cell engager (NKCE) targeting CD123 in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. Innate and Sanofi conducted the experiments, which were published in Nature Biotechnology on January 12, 2023.
This study demonstrates that CD64 expression on AML blasts imparts resistance to anti-CD123 antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and that redirecting NK cells against cancer targets by binding to CD16a and NKp46 circumvents this resistance. Moreover, through their binding to NKp46, CD123-NKCE primarily target NK cells and have substantial antitumor activity against primary AML blasts; they stimulate NK cell activation and cytokine secretion exclusively in AML cells' presence.
In vivo, its antitumor activity observed in a mouse tumor model surpasses that of the anti-CD123 antibody used as the comparator. Furthermore, in vitro in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in vivo in nonhuman primates, the efficacy of CD123-NKCE was associated with the induction of low pro-inflammatory cytokine release and the absence of toxicity.
These results support CD123-NKCE clinical development. IPH6101/SAR'579 (SAR443579), the first NKp46/CD16-based CD123-targeted ANKETTM NK cell engager, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial by Sanofi in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML), B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS).
About Innate Pharma
Headquartered in Marseille (France), Innate Pharma SA is a global, clinical-stage oncology-focused biotech firm dedicated to enhancing patient treatment and clinical outcomes using therapeutic antibodies that employ the immune system to combat cancer. Its extensive antibody pipeline has numerous potentially first-in-class clinical and preclinical candidates for cancers with a high unmet medical need. In addition, Innate has been a pioneer in the study of natural killer cell (NK cell) biology and developed its expertise in tumor antigens, tumor microenvironment, and antibody engineering. This innovative strategy has resulted in a varied proprietary portfolio and substantial alliances with biopharmaceutical industry leaders, including Sanofi, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk A/S, and a multi-product collaboration with AstraZeneca.
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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET
VERO Biotech | February 03, 2023
On February 2, 2023, VERO Biotech Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on neonatal intensive care and the acute care hospital community, announced that FDA has approved its innovative second-generation GENOSYL® Inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) delivery system for use in the operating room with rebreathing anesthesia. The second generation GENOSYL® DS is now the first and only iNO delivery device approved for use in both rebreathing and non-rebreathing anesthesia procedures, enhancing patient care, saving money for the hospital, and minimizing waste anesthetic gas pollution.
GENOSYL® DS is the first tankless inhaled nitric oxide delivery system. Nitric oxide, when inhaled, dilates the pulmonary blood vessels and can improve oxygenation in neonates suffering from hypoxic respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. GENOSYL® DS, unlike tank-based systems, generates and delivers iNO at the bedside via a small disposable cassette. This helps eliminate the need for hospitals to manage large, cumbersome tanks while also aiding in the simplification of clinical workflow.
The following are the expected advantages of the second generation GENOSYL® DS
Ability to employ rebreathing anesthesia: Rebreathing allows reduced gas flows, resulting in less usage of expensive anesthetic drugs, thereby reducing hospital costs; enhanced patient comfort (by preserving patient body temperature and moisture).
Smoother care process: seamless iNO delivery from the ICU to surgery and post-operative care leads to process and workflow enhancements for the healthcare organization, thus lowering the hospital's overall cost.
Set and forget: It allows anesthesiologists to continue using rebreathing anesthesia, thereby preventing potentially dangerous, time-consuming and cumbersome workarounds.
Reduced ecological consequences of anesthesia delivery: less anesthetic is released into the environment.
It is important to note that FDA has only approved the second generation GENOSYL® DS for use with rebreathing anesthesia in the surgical suite. The third generation GENOSYL® DS, which was recently approved, has not been tested with rebreathing anesthesia. VERO Biotech is currently conducting similar validations and expects to have data available in the first quarter of 2023.
About VERO Biotech
Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, VERO Biotech is an emerging biotechnology firm that focuses on designing, developing, and commercializing next-generation inhaled nitric oxide (NO) delivery systems to tackle unmet medical needs in patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. The company's mission is to improve patients' lives by pioneering innovative technologies for inhaled NO delivery in acute care hospitals and beyond, wherever nitric oxide treatment is required. By focusing on the science, development, and commercialization of its innovations, it aims to exceed customer expectations regarding safety, efficacy, and growth.
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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals | February 28, 2023
On February 27, 2023, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical firm committed to the development and commercialization of therapeutics to help improve the lives of patients with severe eye disorders and Rallybio Corporation, a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to identifying and accelerating the development of life-transforming therapeutics for patients with severe and rare diseases, announced a research collaboration to explore the sustained delivery of Rallybio's complement component 5 (C5) inhibitor for the treatment of geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration that can cause irreversible vision loss. The research will use EyePoint's proprietary Durasert® technology, which is designed for sustained intraocular drug delivery.
Approximately one million individuals in the United States suffer from geographic atrophy, which is characterized by atrophic lesions in the central region of the macula. Geographic atrophy can cause irreversible vision loss and can lead to legal blindness. Currently, geographic atrophy treatments are limited in choice and duration of action, leaving a significant unmet need for safe and effective treatment options.
Under the terms of the research partnership, EyePoint and Rallybio will assess and explore the viability of utilizing Rallybio's C5 inhibitor in EyePoint's Durasert technology, with the intention to increase the collaboration upon mutual agreement following the evaluation.
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals' M.D., President and Chief Operating Officer Jay Duker commented, "We are excited to begin this research collaboration to explore the combination of Rallybio's C5 inhibitor with our bioerodible Durasert sustained release drug delivery technology to develop a potential long-acting treatment for geographic atrophy," He further emphasized, "Geographic atrophy associated with dry macular degeneration is a devastating eye disease, and the inhibition of complement is a proven treatment pathway. We hope to leverage our Durasert technology in this collaboration to create a potential best-in-class, long-acting intravitreal insert, which we believe could provide a more desirable option for patients given that the existing approved therapy is injected every one to two months."
(Source – Business Wire)
About EyePoint Pharmaceuticals
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals is a leading pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes therapeutic products to help patients suffering from serious eye disorders. Headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, it is committed to using its innovative drug delivery platform to improve patients' quality of life. The company's pipeline utilizes its proprietary Durasert technology, which enables sustained intraocular drug delivery. Its current pipeline includes EYP-1901, a potential six-month intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment aimed at treating wet age-related macular degeneration. Durasert technology has been successfully used across four FDA-approved products, including YUTIQ®, which treats chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
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