This week in drug discovery (31 March – 4 April)
News round-up for 31 March – 4 April by DDW Senior Digital Content Editor Diana Spencer.
The headlines this week have demonstrated the importance of antibody therapies, particularly in treating cancer, but also as potential therapeutics for a range of other diseases including hepatitis D and Alzheimer’s.
The top stories:
Trial investigates monoclonal antibody for chronic hepatitis D
Bluejay Therapeutics’ AZURE-1 global pivotal clinical trial evaluating brelovitug (BJT-778) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D (CHD) has dosed its first patient.
First ADC approved for cervical cancer in Japan
The Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved Genmab’s Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin) for the treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer that has progressed on or after chemotherapy treatment.
Rybrevant and Lazcluze extend survival in NSCLC
Results from its first-line MARIPOSA trial show that Rybrevant (amivantamab) plus Lazcluze (lazertinib) significantly extended overall survival (OS) versus osimertinib in the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Imfinzi approval a ‘breakthrough’ for muscle-invasive bladder cancer
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Anti-tau antibody and gene therapy show potential in Alzheimer’s
A single IV administration of tau silencing gene therapy VY1706 significantly reduced tau mRNA and protein levels, with broad brain distribution and liver de-targeting, in preclinical studies.