Janssen has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BeneVir Biopharm, a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of oncolytic immunotherapies.
BeneVir utilises a proprietary T-Stealth Oncolytic Virus Platform to engineer oncolytic viruses, tailored to infect and destroy cancer cells.
“Oncolytic viral immunotherapy holds exciting potential in the treatment of solid tumours through the priming and augmenting of an anti-tumour immune response,” said Peter Lebowitz, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research & Development. “BeneVir’s unique technology platform complements our immuno-oncology research, which is focused on bringing forward an array of novel immunotherapies and combinations that may improve treatment outcomes for patients.”
Janssen said it intends to advance pre-clinical candidates as standalone therapies and in combination with other immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumor cancers (e.g., lung, prostate, colorectal, etc.)
By George Underwood
Source: Pharma Times
Novo Nordisk has announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has provided a positive opinion for the company’s Sogroya therapy. The once-weekly treatment – also known as somapacitan – is for the replacement of endogenous growth hormone (GH) in aged children three years and older.
Medtronic is set to acquire EOFlow, the South Korea-based maker of an insulin patch pump. In its announcement of the deal Thursday, Medtronic suggested that integrating the tubeless device with its own continuous glucose monitors and meal-detection algorithm could create a new closed-loop system for largely hands-off diabetes management.
Apnimed started the year by bagging nearly $80 million in extended series C funds and the momentum has kept up, with the sleep-apnea-focused biotech nailing its goals in a phase 2 study. “For those who cannot tolerate current treatments, AD109 has the potential to be a convenient, oral pill that could improve people’s quality of life both at night and during the day.”
