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Biotechs Target Cancer Metabolism

 
• By Ellen Licking

As reseachers uncover linkages between tumor formation and cellular metabolism, start-ups and their venture backers see an opportunity to create a new class of cancer medicines. In this issue, we profile Advanced Cancer Therapeutics, Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals and Dynamix Pharmaceuticals.

Over the past two decades cancer researchers have devoted significant time, energy, and resources to elucidating at the molecular level how misregulation of cellular signaling – especially the role of kinases – results in tumor formation. The efforts have produced some notable successes, including the launch of medicines such as Novartis AG's Gleevec (imatinib), AstraZeneca PLC's Iressa (gefitinib) , and Tarceva (erlotinib) from OSI Pharmaceuticals LLC (now a division of Astellas Pharma Inc.[See Deal]) and Roche. But despite significant advances, such drugs are far from a cure-all, with tumor cells finding work-arounds that allow them to survive and proliferate even in their presence.

As drug companies continue to search for promising new therapies that can be used in combination with kinase inhibitors, a...

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More from Strategy

BIO Notebook: IPO Window Stays Shut, PRVs Need To Be A Priority, And Focusing On Gene Therapy Safety

 
• By Mandy Jackson and Sarah Karlin-Smith

Highlights from day one of the BIO convention include advice for firms hoping to go public, a call for companies to push the US Congress on rare disease priority review vouchers, and updates on next-generation gene therapies.

Sarepta Market Dynamics For Elevidys Imperiled By Second Patient Death

 
• By Joseph Haas

With two deaths in non-ambulatory DMD patients, Sarepta is attempting damage control and will ask the US FDA to advise, setting up a possible confrontation with CBER director Prasad.

Supernus Secures Sage With CVR-Supported Deal

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Supernus agreed to pay $561m upfront plus a contingent value right that could add $234m to buy Sage, topping a previously rejected offer from Biogen.

Early Blood Cancer Data Impresses As Incyte Plots Post-Jakafi Strategy

 
• By Kevin Grogan

First results for a first-in-class mutCALR-targeted therapy in essential thrombocythemia presented at EHA point to a lucrative future for the early-stage product.

More from Business

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By Ian Haydock

In this week's episode: breaking down big pharma’s executive pay; US vaccine panel upheaval; Merck’s RSV approval; MFN and Japan; and the future of Pfizer and Arvinas’s partnership.

UroGen Gets A First-Ever Bladder Cancer Approval Despite US FDA AdComm ‘No’ Vote

 
• By Joseph Haas

UroGen’s Zusduri was approved despite an advisory committee vote recommending against it in May. It is the first approved drug for a type of recurring bladder cancer.

Finance Watch: Scorpion Spinout Antares Launches With $177m For Precision Medicines

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Private Company Edition: Antares’ lead asset will enter the clinic in 2026 after Lilly committed up to $2.5bn for Scorpion’s Phase I/II PI3Kα inhibitor STX-478. Also, Amplify raised $200m for its first biotech VC fund and Mosanna raised an $80m series A round, among other financings.