Novartis will pay $500 million upfront and up to $7.3 billion in milestones to license an mRNA-based autoimmune therapy from China's Abogen Biosciences, marking one of the largest biotech deals involving a Chinese company.
Adicet Bio reported positive early trial results for prula-cel, an off-the-shelf gamma delta CAR-T therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. At 12 months, 54% of evaluable patients achieved DORIS remission with no severe side effects, surpassing benchmarks set by personalized CAR-T treatments.
Immunovant has discontinued development of IMVT-1402 for cutaneous lupus erythematosus after the anti-FcRn antibody failed to meet its primary endpoint in a proof-of-concept study of 57 patients. The company's stock fell 6% following the announcement.
A U.S. study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that only 0.8% of patients treated with avacopan for ANCA-associated vasculitis developed drug-induced liver injury, with liver enzyme elevations being uncommon. The findings come as the FDA considers revoking approval for the drug following earlier safety concerns.
Bristol Myers Squibb paused closely watched autoimmune drug research in early June after reports of life-threatening side effects and deaths, notifying regulators, researchers and patient advocacy groups.
Belgian-Dutch biotech argenx agreed to acquire Forte Biosciences for $2.2 billion in cash ($77 per share, an 86% premium to its VWAP since July 9), adding FB102, an anti-CD122 antibody in development for vitiligo and celiac disease, to its immunology pipeline.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to Vera Therapeutics' drug TRUTAKNA for treating adult patients with primary IgA nephropathy, a potentially life-threatening chronic autoimmune kidney disease. The approval sent Vera's shares up 6.8% in afternoon trading.
