Colin Freund

“Under the terms of the agreement, MSD through a subsidiary will acquire full global rights to CN201 for an upfront payment of $700 million in cash. Curon is also eligible to receive up to $600 million in milestone payments associated with the development and regulatory approval of CN201. CN201 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), respectively.” Another sizeable China to Global deal, for an early stage asset. How many “under the radar” opportunities are there yet to be discovered? Many, I suspect. #chinabiopharma #biotech

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tiakis Biotech AG Reports Clinical Phase Ib/II Trial Results of Tiprelestat for the Treatment of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Tiprelestat was safe and well tolerated, with initial signs of clinical efficacy. Great news on tiakis´ lead program, Martin Voss, Michael Motz and team! https://lnkd.in/edbxppzA #COVID #COVID19 #hospitalized #clinicalstudy #clinicaldata #tiprelestat

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Alentis therapeutics’s anti-Claudin 1 antibodies in oncology and fibrosis have the potential to not only tackle a broader range of tumours than Claudin18.2 and Claudin6 but also to tackle the extracellular matrix remodelling that occurs in certain cancers which helps to exclude T cells in the tumour microenvironment. The data nicely summarised below from ESMO highlighted the potential of the tight junction Claudin family of proteins in oncology. Alentis is also now in the clinic aiming to showcase the potential for blocking the actions of Claudin1 in fibrosis. It is an exciting time for this next tight junction protein, Claudin1, as it moves into the clinical limelight. Alentis leads the way as a first in class.

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The ADC space has certainly been a ‘hot’ space in oncology over the last ~5-7 years, both from clinical and technical advances perspective, and the robust deal landscape, with both, biotech, and large pharma invested deeply in the modality, and it’s going to be very interesting to see how we’re going to succeed in moving these next gen programs forward, and the how this modality carves out its space in the highly nuanced, rapidly evolving oncology landscape. To know more, Join us at the upcoming webinar, "Upgrading ADCs to the Next Level: What Does the Future of Antibody Drug Conjugates Look Like?" to learn about: Register: https://buff.ly/3UG8pL5 Date: November 20, 2024 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST • The current state of the art of ADCs and key gaps/barriers for development • Successes in advancing next gen platforms • How the investing and deal-making environment will continue to foster innovation in ADCs Speakers: John Lambert, PhD, Consultant/Scientific Advisor and former CSO of ImmunoGen, Inc. Dr. Krystle Karoscik, Chief Operating Officer, INNOVOTEX Inc. Michael G King Jr, CEO, Oqory, Inc. Michael Stumpp, PhD, EVP Projects, Molecular Partners AG Greg Dwyer, VP of Business Development, Orum Therapeutics Jeremy Sauer, PhD, Director, External Innovation for ADC Discovery and Cancer Immunology, Pfizer Asthika Goonewardene, MBA, Managing Director, Senior Biotech Analyst, Truist Securities Moderators: Jeff Bockman, Expert Advisor, EVP, Oncology, Lumanity Viraj Parekh, Principal, Oncology Lead, Lumanity

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Despite a slight improvement, securing equity funding remains a hurdle for many #Biotech & #LifeSciences Companies Do you or any companies you know have: The following assets in development? A strong team with a clear vision? Complete our investment assessment form : https://lnkd.in/ewd47Tbt #biotech #lifesciences #investment #clinicalresearch #innovation

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With the recent advances in data science, including the application of generative AI, biopharma companies are finding themselves bottlenecked not by the number of new ideas they can come up with, but by the ability to select and validate the right hypotheses with the greatest potential to help patients. At Turbine, we set out to overcome this exact problem, as our simulation of biology helps researchers test millions of ideas before selecting the right hypothesis & right experiment - be that in a cell, animal or a patient. But with our predictive power & partnerships growing, now comes the fun part: how do we roll this out to every corner of the industry? How do we convince researchers they should change the very foundations of their workflow? I'm certain two new Board members will help us answer those questions: Greg Hersch, SVP of Strategy at Merck & Anna Marie Wagner who spearheaded the largest ever IPO in biotech at Ginkgo Bioworks and acted as their SVP of Corp. Dev & AI. This duo has thought long and hard about the future of biotech and how to productize a tech platform instead of fueling an in-house drug pipeline with it. Anna Marie, Greg - look forward to learning from you two & thank you for your trust!

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The results from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals' Phase 3 PALISADE study on plozasiran are truly impressive and could be a game-changer for patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). I'm excited by the potential impact this could have on a condition that currently has no approved treatments in the U.S. The involvement of experts like Gerald F. Watts and Bruce Given, M.D. adds significant weight to these findings. Their work not only showcases the power of RNAi therapeutics but also highlights how targeted innovation can meet critical, unmet medical needs. If plozasiran is approved, it could dramatically improve the quality of life for FCS patients, and it’s exciting to see this kind of progress in the field. #RNAi #FCS #research #Biotechnology

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In September, the results of the Phase III trial of biospecific antibody Ivenescimab delivering a meaningful improvement over Merck’s Keytruda in lung cancer sent Summit Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SMMT) stock soaring. However, few paid attention to the originator of the PD-1/VEGF targeting asset, Chinese biotech Akeso Bio. Akeso represents a cohort of emerging innovative drug companies from China, working at impressive speed to deliver advancements in patient care and next-generation therapeutics with global ambition. #deeptech #chinesedeeptech #bosonventures #Ivenescimab #biotech #immuology

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Battle of the Biotherapies: AAV vs. RNA for Genetic Payloads... We looked at the landscape of indications in development for AAV and RNA-based medicines from our #TheraTrack platform. No surprise there are competitive programs in the same indication but just how many overlapping indications? ~30% of indications in development across RNA and AAV are shared across both modalities. The true number is probably a bit higher given the number of new programs exploding on the mRNA side that are undisclosed, but its not as significant as one would have perhaps thought. No surprise eye is squarely AAV's domain. Similarly, I&I type indications generally fall in the RNA bucket. Have a look and let us know what you think. How does AAV overcome its present challenges? How does RNA achieve better, more specific delivery? These are the most pressing questions in the field today. #genetherapy #mRNA #healthcare

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Eupraxia Pharmaciticals (NASDAQ: EPRX) One of three patients in Cohort 5 achieved complete histological remission at 12 weeks. Consistent improvement in patient-reported outcomes with six of six evaluable patients in the fourth and fifth cohorts experiencing a reduction in symptom (SDI1) scores at 12 weeks. At 24 weeks, the fourth cohort experienced the largest average reduction in SDI scores of all cohorts to date. The fifth cohort continued to show improved patient outcomes with the greatest percentage change in histology (EoEHSS2) scores of any cohort to date. Both the mean reduction in Peak Eosinophil Counts (PEC3)at four biopsy sites and the percent change in histology (EoEHSS2) scores showed a clear dose response across Cohorts 3 to 5, with Cohort 5 showing the greatest response. No serious adverse events reported in any of the five cohorts to date. Cohort 6 is now fully enrolled and dosed, with 12-week data anticipated in Q1 2025.

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This article shows a top-tier Big Pharma player providing an upfront payment of $150M in an overall up to $3B deal for an immune-oncology company in Phase 1/2 trials for treating blood cancer. This shows the potential in the near term for value creation for investors as Cell Source, Inc. turns the corner into the back half of its Phase 1/2 trial and gears up for its first off-the-shelf CAR-T trial   https://lnkd.in/gpPReJpR #AlternativeAdvisoryGroup #AAG #AlternativeInvestment #PrivateEquity #FinancialAdvisory #InvestmentOpportunities #InvestmentStrategies #FinancialGrowth #WealthManagement #BusinessAdvisory #IPO #Valuation #BusinessValuation #Capital #Funding #Exit #AccreditInvestors

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From "Endpoints Early Edition" Today: "New Trump era could be a boon for biopharma M&A, dealmaking". Well, you certainly wouldn't expect this given all the commentary leading up to the election. And all of the armchair "liberals" supporting Harris' anti-meritocracy, anti-business positions will be making good money in the stock market today. It is crucial that we all start looking at reality and stop the hypocrisy.... We are in the business of facts, and the facts are that Trump is much better for business than Harris. (For those who disagree - explain why the futures markets are up today ... and not by a little bit.)

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#Swiss biotech Alentis Therapeutics has raised $181.4 million in a #SeriesD round to fuel the development of its groundbreaking #antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). With backing from Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, and JEITO, this funding supports the advancement of treatments targeting #Claudin-1, a key protein linked to #tumors and organ fibrosis. #Alentis is set to launch a phase 1/2 trial for ALE.P02, a first-in-class ADC for advanced solid tumors, marking a bold step forward in #oncology innovation. Exciting times for precision medicine! #BiotechInnovation #ADCTherapy #PrecisionMedicine

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Pharma M&A activity has hit its lowest level in nearly a decade, with only 558 deals worth $67.2 billion completed by late November—half the value of last year’s activity, according to the Financial Times. This decline reflects several converging trends: rising valuations of larger biotech companies, caution in digesting prior large-scale acquisitions, and political and regulatory uncertainties, including stricter antitrust oversight under the FTC. Interestingly, Big Pharma’s focus has shifted to earlier-stage biotechs and smaller, bolt-on acquisitions under $5 billion, as companies like Merck, Novo Nordisk, and Lundbeck supplement their pipelines and R&D strategies with niche innovations. For example, Merck’s acquisition of privately held EyeBio for up to $3 billion highlights the appetite for targeted deals that enhance specific therapeutic areas, such as ophthalmology. However, the upcoming patent cliff, estimated to create $59 billion in revenue losses by the decade's end, raises questions about whether these bolt-ons will be enough to fill the gap. Larger, transformative acquisitions may regain momentum in 2025, fueled by potential political shifts towards more lenient environment for M&A and increasing pressure on pharma companies to offset their loss of exclusivity challenges. For the biotech sector, this period underscores the importance of balancing valuation expectations with the need to attract strategic investments. Companies working on breakthrough platforms or early-stage innovations still have opportunities to secure partnerships, especially as Big Pharma refocuses on long-term R&D growth. The coming year will be pivotal for both industries, as 2025 may mark the start of a more active and diversified M&A landscape. Read the full FT article on the link below: https://lnkd.in/ezqkd5TY #financings #manda #biotech #lifescience #deals #acquisitions

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Thanks BioCentury Inc. for covering Nuntius Therapeutics collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., in mRNA drug delivery. “During a slow week for deal-making overall, U.K.-based Nuntius Therapeutics Ltd. emerged from stealth with its announcement of a partnership with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., giving the Japanese pharma access to its cell-specific delivery technology for use in mRNA cancer immunotherapies. Nuntius has revealed fairly little about itself thus far, although its announcement of the Taiho deal described peptide dendrimer- and lipid-based nanocarriers. The approach is one of many that have emerged as alternatives to adeno-associated viral (AAV) or lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery of genetic material to specific tissues while avoiding immunogenicity.” Sharing the article: (subscription required) https://lnkd.in/ei-DdZjc

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Unlocking the potential of oncology assets isn't just about groundbreaking science – it's about asking the right questions from day one. The commercialization of oncology products presents unique challenges due to the complex nature of cancer treatment landscapes, evolving standards of care, and the specific needs of patients, healthcare providers, and payers. Understanding where a product fits within these landscapes, navigating regulatory approval paths, and strategically planning patient support and engagement are crucial for a successful launch. As the market for oncology therapies evolves rapidly, it's essential to differentiate your asset and maximize its value proposition. Early and strategic questioning can guide informed decision-making, streamline the commercialization process, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.

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Another sizable licensing deal East-West. Interestingly, the licensor is not a big pharma. Showing that significant value creation could be captured by small/mid-size Western players. But also how crowded the space could become. #biotech #innovation

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