Aditum Bio and Leads Biolabs have partnered to form Oblenio Bio, a company focused on developing LBL-051, a first-of-its-kind tri-specific T-cell engager antibody. This innovative therapy targets both CD19 and BCMA, aiming to provide superior efficacy and durability for treating a wide range of autoimmune diseases.
The global antibody production market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing prevalence of cancer and autoimmune disorders. The market size is projected to reach US$ 30.7 billion by 2031, driven by the demand for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for targeted treatments and the rising need for tailored therapies.
IGM Biosciences is pivoting its strategy to focus on developing T cell-engaging IgM antibodies for autoimmune diseases. The company will cut spending on its oncology programs, including aplitabart, and reduce its workforce. This strategic shift comes as IGM sees significant potential in the autoimmune space and aims to extend its cash runway into 2027.
Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company, has successfully concluded a bridging clinical study of KPG-818 in China. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of KPG-818 in healthy volunteers, paving the way for future clinical trials in patients.
Biochemist Zhijian “James” Chen has won the prestigious Lasker Award for his discovery of a crucial enzyme, cGAS, that plays a vital role in the body’s immune system. This enzyme acts like a fire alarm, detecting foreign DNA and triggering the immune response to fight off infections. Chen’s research sheds light on how the body defends itself against invaders and opens doors for potential treatments for autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions.
Immunovant’s investigational drug, batoclimab, demonstrated strong efficacy in a mid-stage study for Graves’ disease, leading to a significant rise in IMVT stock. The drug showed a remarkable reduction in Immunoglobin G levels and a high response rate in patients, highlighting a potential treatment option for this often-uncontrolled condition.
The Factor D complement inhibitor market is poised for significant growth, driven by expanding indications for existing therapies like danicopan and the anticipated approval of novel agents like vemircopan. This market expansion is fueled by advancements in biotechnology, increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases, and a robust pipeline of drug candidates in clinical trials.
Interius BioTherapeutics presents preclinical data at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 27th Annual Meeting demonstrating the safety and efficacy of its lead in vivo cell-specific gene medicine candidate, INT2104, for treating B-cell malignancies. INT2104 is a targeted lentiviral vector-based therapy that transduces T cells and NK cells upon intravenous administration, without requiring preconditioning chemotherapy. In vivo studies in humanized mice and cynomolgus macaques showed that a single intravenous administration of INT2104 resulted in sustained B cell depletion and antitumor activity. A GLP toxicology study established a favorable safety profile, providing support for clinical entry of INT2104 this year for B-cell malignancies.
