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AstraZeneca and Revna Biosciences Launch Targeted EGFR Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients in Ghana

Targeted TherapyPrecision MedicineOncology
  • AstraZeneca has launched a targeted therapy for EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients in Ghana through its strategic partnership with Revna Biosciences, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to precision oncology in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The collaboration has operationalized EGFR biomarker testing within diagnostic workflows at leading cancer centers, enabling targeted therapy selection at the point of care and accelerating time-to-therapy for patients.
  • The partnership has established a comprehensive infrastructure that integrates advanced molecular diagnostics with personalized treatment pathways, while building real-time data integration capabilities for enhanced clinical decision-making.
  • This initiative represents a new standard of care for historically underserved patients in the region, combining cutting-edge diagnostics with access to targeted anti-cancer therapies to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment timing.

Actio Biosciences Receives FDA Clearance and Fast Track Designation for First-in-Class KCNT1 Epilepsy Treatment

Rare DiseasePrecision Medicine
  • The FDA has cleared Actio Biosciences' IND application and granted Fast Track designation for ABS-1230, a first-in-class oral KCNT1 inhibitor targeting rare pediatric epilepsy affecting approximately 2,500 individuals in the U.S.
  • ABS-1230 demonstrated the ability to inhibit all recurrently observed pathogenic KCNT1 mutations and rapidly suppress seizures in preclinical models, addressing the root cause of this devastating condition.
  • The company plans to initiate Phase 1 trials in healthy volunteers in fall 2025, followed by a proof-of-concept Phase 1b study in KCNT1-related epilepsy patients in early 2026.
  • KCNT1-related epilepsy is a severe and often fatal pediatric condition causing up to 20 seizures daily, with no current disease-modifying therapies available.

BriaCell Secures New Zealand Patent for HLA-Matched Whole-Cell Cancer Immunotherapy Technology

Precision Medicine
  • BriaCell Therapeutics has been granted New Zealand Patent No. 785587 for its whole-cell cancer vaccine technology, providing exclusivity through February 27, 2037.
  • The patent covers methods for selecting whole-cell cancer immunotherapy based on HLA allele profile matching to personalize treatment for cancer patients.
  • This patent award supports BriaCell's precision medicine approach and is part of the company's broader strategy to establish a strong international patent portfolio.
  • The technology aims to transform cancer care by personalizing immunotherapy for improved patient outcomes across multiple cancer indications.

Blood-Based Assay Detects Immunotherapy Response Up to 5 Months Earlier Than Standard Imaging

Precision Medicine
  • The RADIOHEAD study validated Guardant Reveal, a methylation-based liquid biopsy assay, for earlier detection of immunotherapy response in over 500 patients with advanced solid tumors across multiple cancer types.
  • Patients with an 80% or greater decrease in circulating tumor DNA showed a 75% lower risk of disease progression, while the assay identified treatment failure up to 5 months before standard imaging methods.
  • The tissue-free monitoring technology could enable oncologists to make faster treatment decisions, potentially sparing patients from ineffective therapies and improving clinical outcomes in immunotherapy management.

Relief Therapeutics to Merge with NeuroX in CHF 1 Billion Deal Creating AI-Driven Neurotherapeutics Platform

AIPrecision Medicine
  • Relief Therapeutics announced a binding agreement to merge with NeuroX Group, which recently acquired MindMaze's digital neurotherapeutics assets, in a transaction valued at CHF 1 billion for NeuroX and CHF 100 million for Relief.
  • The combined entity will create an AI-powered therapeutics platform integrating software-based neurorehabilitation with pharmacological treatments for neurological conditions including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.
  • Relief shareholders will own approximately 9% of the merged company, which will continue trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange with closing expected in Q4 2025.
  • NeuroX brings a clinically validated portfolio of digital neurotherapeutics backed by over USD 350 million in investment and partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies across multiple clinical trials.

Avacta Completes Transition to Pure-Play Therapeutics with £2.2M Coris Sale

Precision MedicineOncology
  • Avacta Group has agreed to sell Coris Bioconcept SRL to 3B BlackBio Dx Ltd for £2.15 million upfront plus potential earn-outs of up to £615,000, completing its transformation into a pure-play therapeutics company.
  • The sale represents the final step in Avacta's strategic pivot away from diagnostics, following the earlier divestment of Launch Diagnostics in March 2025.
  • Proceeds will fund advancement of Avacta's preCISION platform for peptide drug conjugates targeting precision oncology treatments.
  • The transaction extends Avacta's cash runway into Q1 2026 and allows full focus on its tumor-targeting therapeutic pipeline powered by fibroblast activation protein technology.

Magnetically Steerable Drug Delivery Vesicles Show Promise for Precision Cancer Treatment

Precision MedicineTargeted Therapy
  • Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed microscopic lipid vesicles containing magnetic particles that can be precisely steered to target locations using magnetic fields.
  • The system combines magnetic steering with light-triggered drug release, creating a comprehensive prototype for precision drug delivery that could significantly advance cancer treatment.
  • The lipid vesicles are designed to interact only with specific cell types, offering advantages for targeted cancer therapy while utilizing existing MRI technology for navigation.
  • The team is now preparing for in vitro studies using real drugs in microfluidic systems that simulate biological environments.

IDEAYA Biosciences to Present Phase 2 Darovasertib Data for Uveal Melanoma at ESMO 2025

Precision MedicineOncology
  • IDEAYA Biosciences will present Phase 2 clinical data on neoadjuvant darovasertib in primary uveal melanoma at the 2025 ESMO meeting in Berlin.
  • The presentation will include data from over 90 patients across both plaque brachytherapy and enucleation-eligible cohorts, focusing on enucleation prevention and vision preservation.
  • Darovasertib has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for neoadjuvant uveal melanoma in subjects requiring enucleation.
  • The company has initiated a multi-site, global randomized Phase 3 neoadjuvant registrational trial (OptimUM-10) in primary uveal melanoma in Q3 2025.

ASTRA Therapeutics Secures CHF 7.75 Million to Develop Novel Anti-Parasitic Drugs for Veterinary Medicine

Precision Medicine
  • ASTRA Therapeutics raised CHF 7.75 million in seed funding led by MIG Capital and Digitalis Ventures to advance its proprietary ParaX® platform for developing precision anti-parasitic drugs.
  • The Swiss biotech company targets the growing veterinary parasiticide market worth over $10 billion, addressing critical drug resistance issues where up to 98% of heartworm cases resist standard therapies in some regions.
  • ASTRA's pipeline includes over 15 patentable chemical classes of Parabulins® targeting tubulin in parasites, with initial proof-of-concept demonstrated for treating coccidia in farm animals and heartworm in pets.

Flatiron Health Triples Global Oncology Research Network, Expanding Real-World Data Access Across Three Countries

AIPrecision Medicine
  • Flatiron Health's international oncology research network has tripled in size over the past year, now encompassing more than 30 partnerships across the UK, Germany, and Japan.
  • The expansion brings Flatiron's total patient database above 5 million records, with new partnerships including major academic medical centers and national cancer centers in each country.
  • The company established Flatiron FORUM, a global consortium addressing data transportability challenges to support multinational cancer research and regulatory decisions.
  • Seven research studies using multinational real-world data have been completed within the past two years, demonstrating the platform's capability for cross-country cohort analyses.

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