News round-up for 17-21 July by DDW Digital Content Editor Diana Spencer.
The most impactful drug discovery news this week is all linked with scientific research data. Analysts Phesi revealed that a third of clinical development programmes are cancelled during Phase II, and there were significant trial results for drugs for head and neck cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. In other research highlights, scientists were able to identify genes associated with long Covid for the first time, while a Stanford University probe found that neuroscience research data had been falsified.
The top stories:
A third of clinical trials cancelled during Phase II
Analysis of 13,490 clinical trials finds almost a third have been cancelled during Phase II amidst an overall decline in clinical development productivity. Data analytics company Phesi has released the results of its mid-year global analysis of all clinical trials conducted in 2023 to date.
Supportive interim data from Phase II head and neck cancer trial
Calliditas Therapeutics has announced interim data from a proof-of-concept Phase II trial in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with its lead NOX 1 and 4 inhibitor product candidate, setanaxib.
Ground-breaking study identifies novel drug targets for long Covid
A study into long Covid has provided the first detailed genetic insights into the condition and its commonalities with other diseases, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Donanemab significantly slowed decline in early Alzheimer’s disease trial
Eli Lilly has announced positive results of the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Phase III study showing that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Stanford president quits following false data accusations
The president of Stanford University in the US has announced he will resign after the university found that scientific papers he had published contained manipulated research data.
