GlaxoSmithKline

Kelly Chibale, from a Zambian village to Cambridge and Scripps, founded the Holistic Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) at the University of Cape Town in 2010. H3D, supported by research and funding partners, focuses on malaria, tuberculosis, and antibiotic-resistant diseases, developing MMV390048, the first small-molecule clinical candidate discovered by an Africa-led team. Chibale emphasizes the need for global recognition and collaboration with African scientists to address diverse health challenges and foster innovation.

Moderna revised its break-even forecast from 2026 to 2028, leading to significant R&D cuts and a downgrade in stock ratings by firms like Jefferies and J.P. Morgan. The company plans to focus on 10 pipeline candidates, halting development of five programs, and expects a compounded annual growth rate of over 25% from 2026 to 2028.

GSK and iTeos Therapeutics' Phase II GALAXIES Lung-201 study showed Jemperli and belrestotug, an anti-TIGIT therapy, achieved a 60% objective response rate in non-small cell lung cancer patients, with a 30% improvement over Jemperli alone. The combination also led to significant reductions in circulating tumor DNA and was presented at ESMO 2024.

China's NMPA grants GSK's Blenrep breakthrough therapy designation for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treatment, based on Phase III DREAMM-7 trial results showing significant PFS improvements.

NMPA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) combined with bortezomib plus dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, based on phase III DREAMM-7 trial results showing significant PFS improvements. A positive OS trend was observed but not statistically significant at interim analysis.

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GSK and iTeos presented belrestotug + Jemperli data at ESMO 2024, showing doubled ORR in NSCLC, but lacking survival insights. Belrestotug 400mg is the RP3D for Phase III trial vs. Keytruda. TIGIT inhibitors face competition from Roche, Arcus/Gilead, and AstraZeneca, with market potential of $871m by 2030.

COVID-19 accelerated mRNA vaccine development, leading to record profits and FDA approval of mRNA vaccines. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are expanding their mRNA pipelines into other diseases, with Moderna's RSV vaccine recently approved. The mRNA therapeutics market is projected to reach $68 billion by 2030. mRNA technology is favored for its rapid development potential compared to traditional vaccines. Five mRNA vaccine candidates, including Pfizer/BioNTech's influenza vaccine and Moderna's combination COVID-19/influenza vaccine, are highlighted as near-future prospects.

AstraZeneca's Imfinzi in bladder cancer reduced death risk by 25%; Merck and Eisai's combo in liver cancer cut progression or death risk by a third; Bristol's lung cancer approach faced criticism for 'cherry-picking' subgroups.

GSK and iTeos' anti-TIGIT antibody belrestotug, combined with GSK's PD-1 inhibitor Jemperli, showed higher objective response rates in PD-L1-positive NSCLC patients in the GALAXIES Lung-02 study, though with higher discontinuation rates and treatment-related deaths. The 400mg dose is moving to phase 3 trials.