iOncologi Acquires TargImmune Therapeutics to Strengthen Immunotherapy Pipeline, Mar. 16, 2025
iOncologi has acquired TargImmune Therapeutics, significantly boosting its immunotherapy capabilities for solid tumors. The acquisition will expand iOncologi's tumor-targeted RNA therapies and enhance its immunotherapy pipeline. TargImmune, based in Basel, Switzerland, will continue to operate as a subsidiary, focusing on the development of transformative cancer treatments.
Full Article: iOncologi Acquires TargImmune Therapeutics to Strengthen Immunotherapy Pipeline
Maxion Therapeutics Raises $72M Series A to Advance Innovative Pipeline, Mar. 17, 2025
Maxion has secured $72M (£58M) in an oversubscribed Series A round, led by General Catalyst and supported by Eli Lilly, British Patient Capital, and Solasta Ventures. The funding will propel the development of KnotBody® biologics, targeting diseases driven by ion channels and GPCRs, including inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions. Maxion’s approach aims to provide more potent, selective, and durable therapies, with MAX001 in preclinical development for inflammatory diseases.
Full Article: Maxion Therapeutics Raises $72M Series A to Advance Innovative Pipeline
AstraZeneca Acquires EsoBiotec for Up to $1B to Enhance Cell Therapy Pipeline, Mar. 17, 2025
AstraZeneca has acquired EsoBiotec, a Belgian biotech, for up to $1B, accelerating its cell therapy initiatives. EsoBiotec’s in-vivo CAR-T technology enables faster and more cost-effective off-the-shelf treatments, improving patient access to immunotherapy. The acquisition follows promising data and aligns with AstraZeneca’s focus on expanding its innovative cancer therapy offerings globally.
Full Article: AstraZeneca Acquires EsoBiotec for Up to $1B to Enhance Cell Therapy Pipeline
Araris Biotech Acquired by Taiho Pharmaceutical for $400M, Mar. 17, 2025
Taiho Pharmaceutical has agreed to acquire Araris Biotech for $400M, further strengthening its pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Araris’s AraLinQ platform, which develops ADCs for Taiho’s chosen targets, has shown promising potential, leading to this acquisition after a partnership that began in November 2023. The acquisition is a strategic move to accelerate ADC development for cancer treatments.
Full Article: Araris Biotech Acquired by Taiho Pharmaceutical for $400M
Anocca to Launch Clinical Trial for KRAS G12V-targeted Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer, Mar. 17, 2025
Anocca has received authorization to begin a Phase 1/2 umbrella trial evaluating ANOC-001, a non-viral gene-edited TCR-T therapy targeting KRAS G12V mutations in advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial, named VIDAR-1, is set to launch in Q2 2025 across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and The Netherlands. This represents a significant step forward in Anocca’s development of next-generation immunotherapies for cancer.
Full Article: Anocca to Launch Clinical Trial for KRAS G12V-targeted Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Empress Therapeutics Lays Off 23 Employees to Advance Small-Molecule Science, Mar. 18, 2025
Empress Therapeutics, a Flagship Pioneering biotech, has made the difficult decision to halve its workforce, laying off 23 employees. The company’s focus remains on advancing its small-molecule science toward clinical development. The biotech now operates with a reduced team of 20 staff members as it works to push its science into the clinic. Empress declined to comment on which roles were impacted by the layoffs.
Full Article: Empress Therapeutics Lays Off 23 Employees to Advance Small-Molecule Science
Nanobiotix Amends Licensing Deal with J&J to Secure Phase 3 Cancer Trial Funding, Mar. 18, 2025
Nanobiotix has renegotiated its licensing agreement with Johnson & Johnson to secure continued funding for its Phase 3 cancer drug trial. Under the amended deal, J&J will cover nearly all trial costs, easing Nanobiotix’s financial burdens. In return, milestone payments could total $2.6 billion, slightly down from $2.7 billion. This agreement extends Nanobiotix's financial runway into mid-2026, enabling continued progress on its promising cancer treatment.
Full Article: Nanobiotix Amends Licensing Deal with J&J to Secure Phase 3 Cancer Trial Funding
MaaT Pharma Receives Positive Trial Data for MaaT013 in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease, Mar. 18, 2025
MaaT Pharma has reported promising results from its pivotal Phase 3 ARES trial for MaaT013 in the treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD). The trial showed a 62% overall response rate, exceeding expectations of 38%. Positive feedback from the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) confirmed a favorable safety profile, positioning MaaT013 for market approval in 2025, with EMA Pediatric Investigation Plan approval already secured.
Full Article: MaaT Pharma Receives Positive Trial Data for MaaT013 in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease
Oxford BioTherapeutics Partners with Roche in $1B ADC Deal, Mar. 19, 2025
Oxford BioTherapeutics has entered into a strategic partnership with Roche valued at over $1 billion. The collaboration involves Oxford's OGAP-Verify discovery platform to identify oncology targets, with Roche leading the research and commercialization efforts. This deal marks Roche's third antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) partnership in 2025, underscoring its ongoing commitment to advancing novel cancer therapies.
Full Article: Oxford BioTherapeutics Partners with Roche in $1B ADC Deal
bit.bio Reduces Workforce by 25% to Focus on Biomedical Tools, Mar. 19, 2025
bit.bio, a UK-based cell programming biotech, has announced a 25% reduction in its workforce as it pivots towards developing biomedical tools instead of therapeutics. This restructuring comes in response to changing market conditions, with the company refocusing on its core strengths. The company aims to capitalize on its capabilities in cell programming to provide cutting-edge tools for biomedical applications.
Full Article: bit.bio Reduces Workforce by 25% to Focus on Biomedical Tools
CARGO Therapeutics Cuts 90% of Workforce, Suspends Development, Mar. 19, 2025
CARGO Therapeutics has made the decision to cut 90% of its workforce, suspending the development of its allogeneic CAR-T platform and B-cell disease prospect, CRG-023. The company’s board has appointed a new interim CEO to guide the company toward a potential reverse merger or business combination, after several strategic shifts, including the abandonment of its lead asset and platform.
Full Article: CARGO Therapeutics Cuts 90% of Workforce, Suspends Development
Corvus Pharma Reports Positive Phase 1/1b Data for Soquelitinib in T-Cell Lymphoma, Mar. 20, 2025
Corvus Pharmaceuticals has reported positive Phase 1/1b study results for soquelitinib in T-cell lymphoma (TCL) patients. The trial, which enrolled 25 patients, revealed that 39% of participants had objective responses, including 6 complete responses (26%) and 3 partial responses. With a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.2 months, the drug was well tolerated without new safety concerns. These findings will be presented at the 16th Annual T-Cell Lymphoma Forum in San Diego, March 20-22, 2025.
Full Article: Corvus Pharma Reports Positive Data for Soquelitinib in T-Cell Lymphoma
Cardurion Pharmaceuticals Appoints Karen Lewis as Chief People Officer, Mar. 20, 2025
Cardurion Pharmaceuticals has appointed Karen Lewis as its Chief People Officer. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Lewis joins Cardurion after leading HR efforts at Apellis Pharmaceuticals and holding leadership roles at Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Axcella Health. Lewis will play a crucial role in scaling Cardurion’s workforce and enhancing employee engagement as the company advances cardiovascular innovations.
Full Article: Cardurion Pharmaceuticals Appoints Karen Lewis as Chief People Officer
Elevation Oncology Lays off 70% of Staff after Disappointing Phase 1 Data, Mar. 20, 2025
Elevation Oncology is laying off 70% of its workforce following disappointing Phase 1 data for its sole clinical-stage asset, the Claudin 18.2 antibody-drug conjugate EO-3021. The data from a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers showed an objective response rate of just 22.2%. The company is now reevaluating its future direction in light of the data.
Full Article: Elevation Oncology Lays off 70% of Staff after Disappointing Phase 1 Data
Akari Therapeutics Appoints Abizer Gaslightwala as President and CEO, Mar. 20, 2025
Akari Therapeutics has appointed Abizer Gaslightwala as President and CEO, effective April 21, 2025. Gaslightwala, who joined Akari's Board of Directors in December 2024, brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. He will lead Akari's efforts in developing targeted oncology treatments, while outgoing CEO Samir R. Patel will transition to a role on the Board of Directors after overseeing the merger of Peak Bio and Akari.
Full Article: Akari Therapeutics Appoints Abizer Gaslightwala as President and CEO
Neogap Therapeutics Shares Positive Initial Data from Personalized Immunotherapy Trial, Mar. 20, 2025
Neogap Therapeutics has reported promising initial safety data from its ongoing Phase I/II trial of personalized Tumour Trained Lymphocytes (pTTL) immunotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients. The therapy has shown to be well tolerated, with no serious treatment-related adverse events observed. Recruitment continues at multiple Swedish hospitals, with the trial progressing as planned to treat 12-16 patients.
Full Article: Neogap Therapeutics Shares Positive Initial Data from Personalized Immunotherapy Trial
Harbour BioMed Enters Strategic Collaboration with AstraZeneca to Develop Multi-Specific Antibodies, Mar. 21, 2025
Harbour BioMed has entered into a global strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca to discover and develop next-generation multi-specific antibodies for immunology, oncology, and other therapeutic areas. The collaboration includes the potential for AstraZeneca to license preclinical immunology programs and additional multi-specific antibody targets. Harbour BioMed will receive up to $4.4 billion in development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties.
Full Article: Harbour BioMed Enters Strategic Collaboration with AstraZeneca
MacroGenics Abandons Vobramitamab Duocarmazine Following Phase 2 Data, Mar. 21, 2025
MacroGenics has decided to halt development of vobramitamab duocarmazine (vobra duo), one of its more advanced antibody-drug conjugates, following disappointing Phase 2 data in prostate cancer. The company had paused work on vobra duo earlier in November while awaiting progression-free survival (PFS) data. The drug was designed to deliver a DNA-alkylating duocarmycin payload to solid tumors expressing B7-H3.
Full Article: MacroGenics Abandons Vobramitamab Duocarmazine Following Phase 2 Data
