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Today's Rundown

Featured Story

From natural killer cells to off-the-shelf CAR-Ts, biopharma targets cancer with next-gen cell therapies

Following the success of personalized CAR-T treatments like Gilead's Yescarta and Tecartus for blood cancers, several companies are working on the next generation of cell therapies to treat a range of tumor types. They include off-the-shelf CAR-Ts and therapies that boost the innate ability of natural killer (NK) cells to destroy cancer.

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Top Stories

Sarepta cites 'overburdened' FDA as factor in DMD gene therapy delay

Burdens placed on the FDA by COVID-19 and the rapid proliferation of cell and gene therapies are a factor in the recent setback to Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) prospect, according to CEO Douglas Ingram.

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FDA gets out its red pen again, rejecting BioMarin's gene therapy valrox amid durability worries

BioMarin’s shares plummeted in early Wednesday trading after the FDA refused to approve its hemophilia A gene therapy valoctocogene roxaparvovec.

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Using CRISPR to improve viral vectors for gene therapy

To overcome preexisting immunity that cripples the adenovirus vectors used in gene therapy and vaccines, scientists at the University of Pittsburgh created a CRISPR-based system that briefly suppresses the genes that cause the problem. The method improved gene therapy uptake in mice and is being developed by startup SafeGen.

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Astellas' Audentes reports 3rd death in gene therapy trial

Audentes Therapeutics has reported a third death in a clinical trial of its gene therapy against a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. The Astellas Pharma subsidiary said it “remains committed” to the program despite the rising death rate in the higher-dose cohort of the phase 1/2 clinical trial.

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In the face of COVID-19, cell and gene therapy space shows ‘remarkable resilience:’ report

In the early days of COVID-19, the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine was unsure how the pandemic and its accompanying economic downturn would affect the cell and gene therapy space. Now, the numbers are in—and they’re better than ever. In the first half of 2020, the sector raised $10.7 billion, more than the total it raised in 2019.

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Functioning liver cells regenerate in pig lymph nodes, and a human trial is coming

Pitt researchers demonstrated that pigs can grow functioning auxiliary livers in their abdominal lymph nodes after their own hepatocytes are isolated and injected into them. Startup LyGenesis is working to bring the method into human clinical trials later this year.

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Bayer backs Triumvira to take CAR alternative into clinic

Bayer has co-led a $55 million investment in cell therapy startup Triumvira Immunologics. Triumvira will use the series A funding to run clinical trials of cell therapies that are directed by an alternative to CARs.

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Immune-evading cells with PD-L1 control diabetes in mice

Scientists at the Salk Institute created functional, three-dimensional human islet-like organoids that restored glucose control in mice without triggering immune rejection. The trick was to induce the expression of the PD-L1 immune checkpoint protein.

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Spark Therapeutics nabs CMO from new owner Roche

After its recent $4.8 billion buyout of gene therapy specialist Spark Therapeutics, Roche is now handing over one of its execs to help lead its new acquisition’s R&D.

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Taysha Gene Therapies guns for $100M IPO as it eyes 2020 clinical trial

Taysha Gene Therapies launched just four months ago, but it plans to ride the biotech wave to a $100 million IPO. It recently topped up its coffers with a $95 million series B, but, with plans to hit the clinic by the end of the year, more money can’t hurt.

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Resources

Whitepaper: The Chronic Microcap Trap: How Launch Is the Escape for True Growth

How independent drug launch and commercialization can lead to higher market capitalization.

Whitepaper: Antibody-Drug Conjugates: Catalysts for Chemistry

Download our white paper to learn more about the growth trends, complex anatomy and intricacies of developing these armed antibodies, as well as AMRI’s approach to their discovery and development.

Whitepaper: How to Successfully Manage Regulatory and Financial Compliance Risk

Avoid severe compliance penalties by staying on top of evolving laws.

Whitepaper: Accelerating the Development of Orphan Drugs for Rare Diseases

This white paper will discuss four principal CMC challenges for the developers of orphan drugs, and the potential solutions which are emerging. Download now >>

Case Study: QED Therapeutics accelerates launch of rare cancer drug into niche market with analytics-driven insights

In 2020, QED Therapeutics launched first-in-class infigratinib for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Learn how the launch team precisely identified and characterized eligible patients by taking an evidence-based approach to its commercial strategy.

Whitepaper: A Guide to Improving Your R&D Data Maturity

Life science R&D generates a LOT of data. Learn how to make sense of it and harness its potential with this step-by-step guide.

Whitepaper: How Broadening the Analysis of Compound Factors Allows for Predictive Solubility Solutions

Don’t oversimplify your solubility challenges.

Whitepaper: Reducing Site Workload for Better, Faster, Safer Clinical Trials

Download this free whitepaper to learn how to execute fast, high-quality clinical trials through eSource for studies that boost efficiency for both sponsors and sites.

Whitepaper: Learn How Collaboration (Not Competition) Will Bring Better Pediatric Medicines to Market

Drug developers and stakeholders must find ways to collaborate, rather than compete, as the RACE Act prompts the need for more pediatric research.

Whitepaper: Achieving a Successful Drug Product Technology Transfer

Get insights on key considerations for a successful tech transfer process for manufacturing a biologic drug product, including a case study on overcoming challenges in a process transfer for a sterile diluent.

Whitepaper: Avoid Fallout From Incompatibility Between Your API And Its Formulation

Download the whitepaper to learn more.

Webcast: DRUG ABUSE LIABILITY ASSESSMENT: Are you taking an integrated approach?

Two informative webcasts will present practical and methodological approaches to preclinical drug abuse liability assessment

Whitepaper: Top 7 Data Points from Medical Claim Forms to Drive Market Development

Traditionally, pharma companies use a combination of prescription data & internal sales reports to look for potential buyers. Such practice provides only a LIMITED VIEW without competitor information.

Whitepaper: New data models to gain insight on medication adherence

Download the whitepaper by Optum to see how novel data platforms can uncover hidden insights on medication adherence helping life sciences companies maximize product utilization.

Report: Decentralized Trials - Where Does the Industry Stand?

Patient-facing digital technologies are playing an important role in clinical trials for new drugs and medical devices, to the point where conducting virtual trials is becoming mainstream. But terms like remote trials, direct-to-patient trials, hybrid trials, decentralized trials, and more all add to the confusion of what makes a trial "virtual."

Whitepaper: Navigating the Changing Clinical Trial Landscape

The research conducted here is to help understand and solve the top challenges in clinical operations, to remove barriers that are slowing down our ability to bring new drugs to market as quickly as possible to patients waiting in need.

Whitepaper: Choosing the Best Sterile Dosage Form for Your Phase I Clinical Supply Needs

How to select the right dosage form for your Phase I clinical supply.

Whitepaper: Quality by Design: A Holistic Approach to Drug Development

Quality by Design (QbD) reduces risk within drug development, while bringing therapies to market quicker.

Executive Summary: Keys to a Successful Rapid Commercial Launch

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are spending years developing drugs or promising new biologics, all with the hopes of saving or enhancing patients’ lives. It’s a “race to the finish” in some cases, and the quicker a company can get its product to patients, the better.

eBook: Navigating the Insulin Affordability Act

Download the whitepaper for a solution designed to connect manufacturers, pharmacists, and patients. In this special guide, you will learn not just about the law but about the portal platform designed to change the entire process for all.

Whitepaper: Reducing the Complexity and Costs of Channel Planning and Logistics

Identifying opportunities to simplify channel strategies and business processes for biopharma companies, their customers and patients.

Whitepaper: The Art of Recognizing Clinical Supply Risk Factors

In a BioPharma Dive industry survey, planning and forecasting were identified as top concerns for trial sponsors. In response to this need, the CSM team at Catalent has developed a methodology for identifying, evaluating, and proactively managing the inherent risks involved in clinical trial supply chain management.

Case Study: Establishing Parameters for Success

Learn about a real-world example of how clinical supply management expertise was applied to overcome inventory challenges for a complex, global study.

Fact Sheet: Forecasting to Optimize Clinical Trial Supply Management

Whether a study is simple or highly complex, forecasting and simulation reports serve as data driven communication tools to help minimize risks and keep the study on track. Learn more about forecasting solutions for informed decision making and supporting contingency planning for clinical study.

eBook: Expecting the Unexpected: Strategies for Efficient Clinical Supply Management and Forecasting

Learn how to drive excellence within the forecasting process and utilize forecasting throughout the clinical study to better plan clinical supply budgets and project timelines. Explore how to identify potential supply-related issues before they can negatively impact your study.

Events