A novel molecule originated by Japanese academia has recorded an unusual success in a Phase II trial for a challenging dermatologic oncology indication, and appears to be the only drug globally in its class to be in active clinical development.
Japan Academia Progresses Novel Melanoma Drug Despite Pharma 'Reluctance'
Promising Phase II Results
Academia-developed novel oral PAI-1 inhibitor in combination with Opdivo showed a strong response rate in PD-1 treated melanoma patients with certain disease characteristics and could represent a new breakthrough for a class with no clinical stage competitors.
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With two major deals since just the beginning of the year in Japan, private equity groups appear to be ramping up their presence in the country's biopharma sector, amid ongoing activity across the wider APAC region.
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Swiss major gains global rights to preclinical asset as it joins race for MRGPRX2 antagonists in urticaria, where some same-class rivals are already in Phase II.
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South Korea's LigaChem is kickstarting a growth and globalization drive through a potential future acquisition of UK ADC player IKSUDA.
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Professor Anil Koul shares vignettes of his life and career trajectory, a captivating mix of hope, science and destiny that took him to the lab of eminent cancer biologist Alex Ullrich at the Max Planck Institute and also saw him contribute to the development of breakthrough TB drug bedaquiline. He also talks about Medicine 3.0 and the intersection of science and spirituality.