Some of the biggest news and trends captured in PharmaVoice’s newsletter this week. Sign up here to receive the newsletter daily.
New clues in cell therapy toxicity
CAR-T cell therapies have been a godsend for certain types of blood cancers, but the treatments are also riddled with setbacks, including dangerous side effects. And a new study has revealed that genes could play a role in toxicity risk.
Using data from clinical trials for Kite Pharma’s approved CAR-T therapy Yescarta, researchers pinpointed specific genes linked to enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines, one of the more common adverse effects triggered by the therapies. They also uncovered which genes could protect against toxicities, potentially paving the way for engineering safer treatments.
Off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies, which are easier and cheaper to produce than approved therapies, are also moving through the clinic and closer to market. But they may not compete directly with the approved autologous options. This week, we looked at the role off-the-shelf therapies could play in the CAR-T landscape.
A predictions market weighs in on Summit’s cancer drug
What are the odds that Summit Therapeutics’ closely-watched bispecific cancer drug ivonescimab is headed for an FDA nod? About 67%, according to Kalshi’s prediction market.
The online betting company expanded beyond elections and sports and into clinical trial outcomes this month, launching markets tied to the fate of more than a dozen drugs in late-stage development. But Kalshi’s foray into drug R&D is not without its detractors.
This week, we dug into the arguments for and against online betting via prediction markets in pharma.
A radiopharma deal rumor
Rumors are circulating that two radiopharma rivals could soon match up.
Curium is in advanced talks to acquire Lantheus Holdings, Bloomberg reported this week, citing inside sources. A potential deal to combine the radiopharma therapy and diagnostics companies could be ultimately valued around $7 billion, according to the report.
If finalized, the alliance would add to a string of recent deals in the space, where large pharmas have been particularly active in recent years. This week, we looked at Regeneron’s hunt for a radiopharma deal and why Telix Pharmaceuticals ultimately caught its eye.
