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Clinical Trial News

Passage Bio's PBFT02 Shows Sustained Progranulin Increase in FTD-GRN Patients

• Passage Bio's PBFT02 gene therapy demonstrated robust and sustained increases in CSF progranulin levels in FTD-GRN patients in the upliFT-D trial. • Dose 1 of PBFT02 was well-tolerated in patients receiving a revised immunosuppression regimen, with no serious adverse events reported. • The Phase 1/2 upliFT-D trial results support PBFT02's potential as a progranulin-raising therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. • CSF progranulin levels remained elevated up to 12 months post-treatment, exceeding levels found in healthy adult controls.

iValve: Novel Mechanical Heart Valve Mimics Tissue Valve Performance, Aims for Pediatric Use

  • Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed the iValve, a novel mechanical heart valve designed to combine the durability of mechanical valves with the superior performance of tissue valves.
  • The iValve is specifically designed for high-heart-rate applications, making it particularly suitable for pediatric patients who have historically faced challenges with existing mechanical valve technology.
  • The new valve has demonstrated improved hemodynamic performance in lab tests, suggesting it could reduce the need for lifelong anticoagulant therapy typically required with mechanical valves.
  • Researchers plan to proceed with animal and clinical trials within two years, with future work focused on developing similar valves for mitral valve replacement.

Kisqali Demonstrates Sustained Benefit in HR+/HER2- Early Breast Cancer

• Updated analysis of the NATALEE trial shows Kisqali plus endocrine therapy reduces recurrence risk by 28.5% compared to endocrine therapy alone in stage II and III HR+/HER2- early breast cancer. • The invasive disease-free survival benefit of Kisqali was consistent across all pre-specified patient subgroups, including those with node-negative disease. • Four-year post-hoc analysis presented at ESMO Congress 2024 also showed consistent results across secondary efficacy endpoints, with a trend for improvement in overall survival. • Kisqali, when added to endocrine therapy, demonstrates a deepening benefit beyond the three-year treatment period in patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer.

Imfinzi and Imjudo Combo Shows Unprecedented Survival in Liver Cancer

  • The combination of Imfinzi and Imjudo demonstrated an unprecedented overall survival rate in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • The STRIDE regimen, combining a single dose of Imjudo with Imfinzi, showed one in five patients surviving five years, a significant milestone.
  • The safety profile of the STRIDE regimen was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, with manageable adverse events.
  • Imfinzi plus Imjudo is approved for advanced or unresectable HCC in the US, EU, Japan, and other countries, offering a new treatment option.

Strides Pharma Gains FDA Approval for Generic Fluoxetine 60mg Tablets

  • Strides Pharma has received FDA approval for its generic Fluoxetine 60mg tablets, expanding its portfolio of this antidepressant drug.
  • The approval allows Strides Pharma to offer a complete range of Fluoxetine products, including 10mg, 20mg, and 60mg tablets and capsules.
  • Fluoxetine capsules and tablets have a combined market size of $130 million, offering a substantial commercial opportunity for Strides Pharma.
  • Strides Pharma plans to launch all three strengths of Fluoxetine tablets in the near future, manufactured at its facility in Puducherry.

PDS Biotech's Versamune® HPV Plus Pembrolizumab Shows Promising Results in HPV16-Positive Head and Neck Cancer

  • Updated data from the VERSATILE-002 trial shows a median overall survival of 30 months in patients treated with Versamune® HPV plus pembrolizumab.
  • The combination therapy achieved an objective response rate of 36% and a disease control rate of 77% in patients with HPV16-positive recurrent/metastatic HNSCC.
  • A significant portion of patients, 21%, experienced deep tumor responses with 90-100% tumor shrinkage, highlighting the therapy's potential.
  • PDS Biotech plans to initiate the VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial to further evaluate the combination as a first-line treatment option.

Nerandomilast Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III FIBRONEER-IPF Trial

• Boehringer Ingelheim's nerandomilast met the primary endpoint in the Phase III FIBRONEER-IPF trial, showing a significant change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) at week 52 compared to placebo. • The FIBRONEER-IPF trial, the largest IPF trial to date, recruited patients from over 330 sites across more than 30 countries, demonstrating broad global participation. • Nerandomilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitor, has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for IPF, with a new drug application planned for submission. • Full efficacy and safety data from the FIBRONEER-IPF trial will be presented in the first half of 2025, offering a comprehensive understanding of the drug's potential.

FDA Approves Roche's Ocrevus Zunovo for Multiple Sclerosis with Halozyme's Enhanze Technology

  • The FDA has approved Roche's Ocrevus Zunovo, a subcutaneous formulation for relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis, utilizing Halozyme's Enhanze drug delivery technology.
  • Ocrevus Zunovo offers a twice-yearly, approximately ten-minute subcutaneous injection, providing greater flexibility for healthcare providers and patients based on individual needs.
  • The approval is based on the Phase III OCARINA II trial, which demonstrated non-inferior levels of Ocrevus in the bloodstream and comparable safety and efficacy to the intravenous formulation.
  • The trial showed a 97% effectiveness rate in suppressing relapse activity and MRI lesions through 48 weeks, with over 92% of participants reporting satisfaction with the subcutaneous administration.

Nerandomilast Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III FIBRONEER-IPF Trial for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Nerandomilast met the primary endpoint in the FIBRONEER-IPF trial, demonstrating a statistically significant absolute change from baseline in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) at week 52 compared to placebo. • The FIBRONEER-IPF trial, involving over 1177 patients across more than 30 countries, stands as the largest IPF trial conducted to date. • Boehringer Ingelheim plans to submit a new drug application to the FDA and other health authorities based on these positive results, seeking approval for nerandomilast in treating IPF. • Nerandomilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitor, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for IPF, highlighting its potential to address unmet needs.

Epitomee Medical's Weight Loss Pill Receives FDA Approval, Stock Surges

  • Epitomee Medical's weight loss pill has secured FDA approval, marking a significant milestone for the company in a competitive market.
  • Following the FDA's decision, Epitomee's stock experienced a substantial surge of 200% within two days, reflecting investor optimism.
  • The company now faces the challenge of establishing its product in a crowded weight loss market, requiring strategic market positioning.
  • This approval provides a new option for individuals seeking medical interventions for weight management, addressing a significant health need.

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