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Kindred Spirits in Small Molecule Drug Discovery

 
• By Mary Stuart

Kinetix Pharmaceuticals hoped that a focus on a particular class of targets that shares structural similarities--the protein kinases--would yield small molecules for a variety of therapeutic areas. But in order to realize synergies between multiple research projects in protein kinases, the company couldn't partner the projects out to numerous pharmaceutical partners, each requiring exclusivity and confidentiality. After technological rival Vertex signed a multi-million dollar protein kinase development partnership with Novartis, Kinetix began to rethink its original business model. A $170 million acquisition offer by Amgen Inc. made strategic sense for the start-up.

If large molecule therapeutics have largely been the province of biotech companies, Big Pharma has owned the small molecule side of drug discovery. But a number of companies formed in the last couple of years figure they can speed up the process of small molecule discovery by integrating expertise and existing technologies in novel ways. Large companies, they contend, have siloed the requisite expertise in different, quasi-independent departments, slowing up the R&D process.

The start-ups are pursuing different strategies. Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc. , for example, is honing in on a set of...

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Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Scrip's Reader Survey This Week

 
• By Eleanor Malone

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
• By Eleanor Malone

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in the coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Scrip, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Galapagos Expands Point-Of-Care CAR-T Study To The US

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

CEO Paul Stoffels said gaining US clearance for an IND for its novel CAR-T product was demanding, but now opens up a pathway towards a pivotal study starting in 2025.

Analysts Split On Eisai’s Chances Of Changing EU Regulator’s Mind On Leqembi

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

A final rejection of Leqembi could also spell the same fate for Lilly’s rival drug but public outcry and demand for Alzheimer’s therapies might force the regulator’s hand

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AstraZeneca Taps Into China’s R&D Engine With CSPC Alliance

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

After in-licensing a cardiovascular candidate last year, AstraZeneca has signed a strategic drug discovery alliance, which could generate billions of dollars in payments to the Chinese firm.

Executives On The Move: New CMOs At Instil Bio, Nkarta & Catalyst Pharma

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In Brief: Starton Moves Low-Dose Lenalidomide To Phase IIa For Multiple Myeloma

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Study to add to safety and tolerability data for infused formulation and may help identify optimal dose for future pivotal trial.