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Clinical Trial News

Novo Nordisk's Monlunabant Shows Weight Loss Potential in Phase 2a Obesity Trial

  • Novo Nordisk's monlunabant, a CB1 inverse agonist, demonstrated statistically significant weight loss compared to placebo in a Phase 2a trial for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
  • Participants on the lowest dose of monlunabant (10 mg) experienced a 7.1 kg weight loss versus 0.7 kg with placebo over 16 weeks, with limited additional benefit at higher doses.
  • The trial reported mostly mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects, but also dose-dependent neuropsychiatric effects like anxiety and sleep disturbances.
  • A larger Phase 2b trial is planned for 2025 to further investigate dosing and safety of monlunabant in a global population.

Atezolizumab, Venetoclax, and Obinutuzumab Show Promise in Richter Transformation DLBCL

  • A phase II trial (MOLTO) demonstrated that atezolizumab, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab achieved a 67.9% objective response rate in patients with Richter transformation diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL-RT).
  • After 12 months, progression-free survival was 42.9% overall, with 87.5% in patients achieving complete remission, highlighting the regimen's potential for durable responses.
  • The combination therapy showed a manageable safety profile, with neutropenia being the most common adverse event, and no treatment-related deaths were reported.

Alzheimer's Drugs Lecanemab and Donanemab Spark Controversy Despite Slowing Disease Progression

  • Lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) are the first drugs to slow Alzheimer's progression, yet face controversy over their limited effectiveness and potential risks.
  • Clinical trials show these drugs reduce cognitive decline by approximately 30% in early-stage patients, but some experts argue the benefits are minimal compared to side effects.
  • The high cost of lecanemab and donanemab raises concerns about accessibility and equitable distribution, potentially creating disparities in treatment availability.
  • Despite the debate, many neurologists advocate for these drugs, emphasizing their potential to offer patients valuable additional months of autonomy, especially with earlier diagnosis.

CHMP Recommends Daratumumab-Based Quadruplet Regimen for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

  • The CHMP has recommended daratumumab subcutaneous formulation in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-VRd) for transplant-eligible multiple myeloma patients.
  • The recommendation is based on the Phase 3 PERSEUS study, which demonstrated a 60% reduction in disease progression or death risk with the D-VRd regimen.
  • Daratumumab, a CD38-directed antibody, has become a foundational therapy for multiple myeloma since its initial European approval in 2016.
  • The positive opinion supports the goal of establishing a new standard of care and transforming the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma.

LP-168, a Novel BTK Inhibitor, Shows Promise in Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

  • LP-168, a highly selective next-generation BTK inhibitor, is under investigation in the phase 2 ROCK-1 trial for relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
  • The ROCK-1 trial is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of LP-168 monotherapy in MCL patients who have previously been treated with a covalent BTK inhibitor.
  • LP-168 has high bioavailability and potency, acting as a covalent BTK inhibitor by irreversibly inhibiting BTK wild type and overcoming resistance of covalent BTK inhibitors.
  • The primary endpoint of the ROCK-1 study is objective response rate (ORR) per Lugano criteria, with secondary endpoints including safety, quality of life, and other efficacy parameters.
NCT05716087Active, Not RecruitingPhase 2
Guangzhou Lupeng Pharmaceutical Company LTD.
Posted 2/21/2023

FDA Approves Alpha Tau's IDE for Alpha DaRT Study in Immunocompromised cSCC Patients

  • Alpha Tau Medical's Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) has been approved by the FDA for a multi-center study of Alpha DaRT in immunocompromised patients with recurrent cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC).
  • The study, led by Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute, will enroll up to 28 patients across 8 U.S. institutions, focusing on those with weakened immune systems, excluding diabetes.
  • The primary objective is to determine the objective response rate (ORR), while secondary objectives include progression-free survival, overall survival, local control, and safety assessment.
  • This trial aims to provide a potential new treatment option for a vulnerable population with limited options, addressing the increased risk of cSCC in immunocompromised individuals.

Amgen's Strategic Growth Plan: Focus on Tepezza, MariTide, and Pipeline Expansion

  • Amgen's acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics for $28 billion brings Tepezza, a unique treatment for thyroid eye disease, poised for better market penetration with Amgen's backing.
  • MariTide, Amgen's investigational drug for weight loss and diabetes, shows promise with statistically significant weight loss in Phase 1 and potential for $2.1 billion revenue by 2030.
  • Amgen is advancing a diverse pipeline, including label expansions for Lumakras and Amjevita, biosimilars for drugs like Opdivo, and novel therapies like dazodalibep for Sjögren's syndrome.
  • With a solid dividend yield and strategic acquisitions, Amgen anticipates improved revenue growth driven by key products and pipeline advancements.

Biosyngen's Enhanced TIL Therapy Shows Promise in Liver Cancer Treatment

  • Biosyngen presented its next-generation tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology at the ESMO 2024 Annual Congress, showcasing advancements in liver cancer treatment.
  • The company's proprietary platform expands TILs from biopsy samples, achieving significant cell production within four weeks, enhancing antitumor efficacy.
  • Biosyngen's gene-modified TILs demonstrate strong tumor-killing effects without requiring concomitant IL-2 use, addressing limitations of traditional TIL therapies.
  • BRG01, Biosyngen's lead product, is in a pivotal Phase II clinical trial for solid tumors, with Phase I trials for BST02 and BRL03 anticipated to complete this year.

CHMP Recommends Dupixent for Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the EU

  • The European Medicines Agency's CHMP has recommended Dupixent (dupilumab) for treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children aged 1-11 years in the EU.
  • The recommendation targets children weighing at least 15 kg who have not responded adequately to conventional therapies for their eosinophilic esophagitis.
  • The CHMP's positive opinion was based on the EoE KIDS Phase 3 trial, which demonstrated significant histological remission in children treated with Dupixent.
  • Dupixent, co-developed by Regeneron and Sanofi, is already approved in the EU for EoE in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older.

Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals' KPG-818 Demonstrates Favorable Safety Profile in China Bridging Study

  • Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals completed a bridging clinical study of KPG-818 in healthy Chinese subjects, assessing safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics.
  • The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated multiple oral doses of KPG-818 over 14 days, with a 4-week follow-up period.
  • Results showed KPG-818 was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported and close to linear pharmacokinetics observed across the tested dose range.
  • KPG-818, a CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase complex modulator, previously demonstrated promising efficacy and safety in a Phase Ib/IIa study for SLE patients in the US.
NCT04643067CompletedPhase 1
Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Posted 6/3/2021
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