Vir Scores In Oncology Pivot With Strong Early T-Cell Engager Results

Five months after taking over the dual-masked T-cell engagers from Sanofi amid a restructuring, the company posted promising initial Phase I data from its PSMA- and HER2-targeting IO candidates.

Vir Biotechnology’s move from focusing solely on antiviral drugs to incorporating oncology into its pipeline has shown early signs of potentially paying off as the company announced safety and efficacy data for two T-cell engager (TCE) antibodies, VIR-5818 and VIR-5500, which it licensed from Sanofi in August.

The San Francisco-based biotech announced 8 January what it called encouraging safety and efficacy data from dose-escalation trials of VIR-5818, its HER2xCD3-directed TCE for solid tumors, and VIR-5500, its PSMAxCD3-directed TCE for

Key Takeaways

Vir’s VIR-5818 and VIR-5500 showed encouraging early signs of efficacy and tolerability in patients with breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.
The data provide validation for the dual-masking technology platform, which Vir acquired from Sanofi in August 2024

Apnimed’s AD109 Could Be A Wake-Up Call For Sleep Apnea Market

19 May 2025

• By Joseph Haas

The first of two Phase III trials in obstructive sleep apnea showed Apnimed’s combination pill can offer a therapeutic alternative to entrenched CPAP devices.

First Blood-Based Test Cleared For Alzheimer’s Boosts Anti-Amyloid Drugs

19 May 2025

• By Mandy Jackson

The US FDA approval of Fujirebio’s Lumipulse should boost access to medicines like Eisai’s Leqembi and Lilly’s Kisunla; the firms are praising patients’ access to earlier diagnoses.