Washington University in St. Louis
🇺🇸United States
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Ownership
- Private
- Established
- 1853-02-22
- Employees
- 10K
- Market Cap
- -
- Website
- http://www.wustl.edu
Kandu Health and Neurolutions Merge to Create Comprehensive Stroke Recovery Platform with $30M Financing
• Kandu Health and Neurolutions have merged to form Kandu, Inc., creating an integrated stroke recovery platform that combines brain-computer interface technology with telehealth services accessible to patients at home.
• The newly formed company has secured $30 million in financing co-led by Ally Bridge Group and AMED Ventures to support commercialization efforts and advance its mission to establish a new standard of care for stroke recovery.
• Clinical evidence shows promising results with Kandu's technologies, including 80% of patients achieving independent living at 90 days and approximately 70% of IpsiHand users experiencing improved arm and hand function after 12 weeks.
Sofinnova Partners Secures €1.2 Billion to Fuel Next Wave of Biotech Innovation
• European venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners has raised €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in fresh funds to invest in life sciences and healthcare companies, with plans to support 50-60 new ventures.
• Since 2022, Sofinnova has backed 21 biotech companies across various therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy company Chroma Medicine and AstraZeneca-acquired firms CinCor Pharma and Amolyt Pharma.
• The fundraise comes amid a shifting venture capital landscape, where total biotech funds have decreased from 137 in 2021 to 38 in 2024, with investors increasingly prioritizing companies with validated clinical data and clear commercialization pathways.
Breakthrough Bone Marrow Transplant Shows 88% Cure Rate for Sickle Cell Disease
• A novel reduced-intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplant procedure developed at Johns Hopkins demonstrates a 95% two-year survival rate and 88% cure rate for sickle cell disease patients.
• The treatment accepts half-matched donors and costs significantly less than gene therapy at $467,747 versus $2-3 million, while requiring shorter hospital stays and fewer blood transfusions.
• Clinical trial results from 42 patients show the procedure is safe and effective, with minimal serious side effects, making it a viable alternative to recently approved gene therapy treatments.
WashU's Novel Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine Advances to U.S. Phase 1 Clinical Trials
• FDA approves Ocugen's investigational new drug application for a nasal COVID-19 vaccine, developed at Washington University in St. Louis, advancing to Phase 1 clinical trials this spring.
• The innovative vaccine, designed to induce immunity in the upper respiratory tract, will be evaluated in 80 adults through both nasal spray and inhalation routes under NIAID sponsorship.
• Early animal studies demonstrated the vaccine's potential to prevent infection and viral transmission, offering advantages over traditional injectable COVID-19 vaccines.
Ocugen's Inhaled COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate, OCU500, Advances to Phase 1 Trial After FDA Review
• Ocugen's OCU500, a novel inhaled mucosal vaccine for COVID-19, has received IND clearance from the FDA, allowing a Phase 1 clinical trial to proceed.
• The Phase 1 trial, sponsored by NIAID, will assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of OCU500 administered via inhalation and intranasally.
• OCU500 utilizes a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored (ChAd36) technology and aims to provide more durable and safer protection against COVID-19 variants.
• The trial anticipates starting in Q2 2025 and will enroll 80 adult subjects aged 18 to 64 years, with results expected to support further development.
RFK Jr.'s Potential HHS Leadership Raises Concerns Over Vaccine Programs and NIH Research Future
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee for HHS Secretary, previously petitioned FDA to revoke COVID-19 vaccine authorizations in 2021, raising concerns about future pandemic response.
• Kennedy's potential leadership could impact NIH operations, with threats to terminate 600 staff members and redirect funding away from infectious disease and vaccine research programs.
• NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) currently provides $5 billion in crucial research funding, supporting breakthrough developments in HIV, RSV, and Ebola treatments.
GLP-1 Agonists Linked to Reduced Risk of 42 Health Conditions in Large Study
• A large observational study of nearly 2 million patients found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated with a reduced risk of 42 health conditions.
• The study, which included 215,000 GLP-1RA users, showed benefits beyond glucose control and weight loss, including neurological and respiratory conditions.
• While GLP-1RAs demonstrated broad benefits, the study also identified increased risks for certain conditions like kidney stones and low blood pressure.
• Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects of GLP-1RA therapy.
Xenon Gas Inhalation Shows Promise in Reducing Alzheimer's Disease Progression in Mouse Models
• Inhaled xenon gas demonstrates neuroprotective effects in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease by suppressing neuroinflammation and reducing brain atrophy.
• The study reveals that xenon gas modulates microglia, the brain's immune cells, promoting the clearance of amyloid plaques and improving cognitive functions.
• A Phase 1 clinical trial is set to begin in early 2025 to assess the safety and efficacy of xenon gas inhalation in healthy human volunteers.
• Researchers are exploring the potential of xenon gas to treat other neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
FDA Approves Monthly IV Maintenance Dosing for Leqembi, Eases Treatment Burden for Alzheimer's Patients
• The FDA has approved a monthly intravenous (IV) maintenance dose for Leqembi, offering a more convenient treatment schedule for early Alzheimer's disease.
• Patients completing the initial 18-month biweekly IV treatment can transition to monthly dosing, potentially improving long-term adherence and quality of life.
• Approval is based on data modeling showing sustained clinical and biomarker benefits with monthly dosing, addressing the continuous neurotoxic processes of Alzheimer's.
• Leqembi, developed by Eisai and Biogen, is now approved in multiple countries, offering a significant advancement in managing early Alzheimer's disease.
Red Light Exposure Reduces Blood Clot Risk, Suggests New Research
• New research indicates that exposure to long-wavelength red light can significantly reduce blood clot formation in both humans and mice, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue.
• The study found that mice exposed to red light had nearly five times fewer blood clots compared to those exposed to blue or white light, with consistent activity and sleep patterns.
• Analysis of cataract surgery patients revealed that those with blue light-filtering lenses had a lower risk of blood clot formation, particularly benefiting cancer patients.
• Researchers are developing red light goggles for clinical trials to assess the efficacy of targeted red light treatment in reducing blood clot risk in high-risk patients.
Innovative NK Cell Engagers Show Promise in Lymphoma Treatment
A new study highlights the potential of NK cell engagers, a novel immunotherapy strategy, in treating B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These molecular bridges enhance the natural killer (NK) cells' ability to target and destroy cancer cells, offering hope for patients unresponsive to other treatments.
Verismo Therapeutics Advances KIR-CAR Platform with HLB Innovation Merger and IFLI Partnership
• Verismo Therapeutics merged with HLB Innovation, enhancing resources for clinical development of SynKIR™-110 and SynKIR™-310.
• A strategic partnership with IFLI provides Verismo with up to $4.05 million to accelerate SynKIR™-310 development for follicular lymphoma.
• SynKIR™-310 is currently in Phase 1 trials, with IFLI's support aimed at expanding clinical sites and increasing patient enrollment.
• Verismo's KIR-CAR platform shows promise in preclinical models for overcoming challenges in aggressive tumor microenvironments.
UCSF-led Study Advances Understanding and Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
The HS PROGRESS study, led by UC San Francisco, aims to improve the understanding and treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting 1% of Western populations. With recent funding from UCB, the study seeks to accelerate the development of new treatments by collecting comprehensive clinical and biological data from HS patients across 15 academic institutions.
PET Tracer for Parkinson's Diagnosis Advances to Clinical Trials
• A consortium led by the University of Pennsylvania is set to begin clinical trials for PET radiotracers that detect toxic proteins like alpha-synuclein for Parkinson's disease.
• The tracers aim to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson's disease and similar neurological disorders by visualizing alpha-synuclein and 4-repeat tau.
• A computational tool was developed to identify molecules that effectively bind to target proteins, streamlining the radiotracer development process.
• The project, backed by a $30 million NIH grant, seeks to accelerate the development of radiotracers for a range of complex diseases.
Glioblastoma Tumors Exploit Circadian Rhythms to Accelerate Growth
• New research reveals glioblastoma tumors synchronize with the body's circadian rhythms, particularly in response to steroid hormones like cortisol, to drive growth.
• The study found that blocking circadian signals significantly slowed tumor growth, suggesting potential for optimizing cancer therapies through chronotherapy.
• Administering dexamethasone (DEX) in the morning promotes tumor growth, while evening administration suppresses it, indicating the importance of treatment timing.
• Data analysis showed that glioblastoma patients with lower levels of glucocorticoid receptors lived 60% longer, suggesting that avoiding morning hormone treatments could improve survival.
Tabelecleucel Shows Sustained Efficacy in EBV+ PTLD, FDA Decision Expected in January 2025
• Tabelecleucel demonstrates a 50.7% objective response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory EBV+ PTLD after transplant, according to Phase 3 ALLELE study results.
• The median duration of response to tabelecleucel was 23 months, with a median overall survival of 18.4 months, indicating a durable treatment effect.
• Safety findings were consistent with prior studies, showing no new safety signals like cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity.
• The FDA is reviewing the Biologics License Application for tabelecleucel with a decision expected by January 15, 2025, potentially offering the first approved therapy for this rare malignancy.
Relacorilant Plus Nab-Paclitaxel Shows Promise in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
• Relacorilant, a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator, combined with nab-paclitaxel, demonstrates potential in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
• Phase 2 trial data supports the combination's efficacy, leading to the ongoing phase 3 ROSELLA trial to further evaluate its benefits.
• The treatment approach targets the glucocorticoid receptor, offering a novel strategy in managing this challenging gynecologic malignancy.
A2 Bio Presents Tmod CAR T-Cell Clinical Program Updates at SITC 2024
• A2 Bio shared updates on its Tmod™ CAR T-cell clinical programs at the SITC 2024 annual meeting, focusing on enhancing participant diversity and enrollment in the BASECAMP-1 prescreening study.
• The BASECAMP-1 study, designed to identify patients with HLA LOH for Tmod™ CAR T-cell trials, was recognized as a 'Top 100' abstract by SITC for its innovative approach.
• EVEREST-1, evaluating A2B530 targeting CEA, shows a manageable safety profile with early signs of dose-response in patients with CEA-positive solid tumors, including pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
• Enrollment is ongoing for EVEREST-2, which assesses A2B694 targeting mesothelin (MSLN) in patients with solid tumors, with the first patient enrolled in April 2024.
A2 Bio Highlights Progress of Tmod™ CAR T-Cell Therapies at SITC 2024
• A2 Bio presented updates on its Tmod™ CAR T-cell therapy platform at SITC 2024, which utilizes a dual-receptor system to target and kill tumor cells while protecting normal tissues.
• The BASECAMP-1 prescreening study employs AI-enabled diagnostics to enhance patient recruitment for Tmod™ trials, improving diversity and operational efficiency.
• EVEREST-1, a Phase 1/2 study of A2B530, shows a manageable safety profile in patients with CEA-expressing solid tumors, with early data suggesting a potential dose-response relationship.
• EVEREST-2, a Phase 1/2 study of A2B694, is enrolling patients with solid tumors expressing mesothelin (MSLN), with dose escalation ongoing to evaluate safety and efficacy.
Breast Cancer Research Advances: Vaccine, Imaging Tracer, and Genetic Mutation Studies
• A novel adipose-directed vaccine (ADVac) is being developed to combat obesity-related inflammation, potentially reducing breast cancer risk by reprogramming adipose tissue metabolism.
• A clinical trial is underway to evaluate FFNP-PET/CT imaging for predicting response to endocrine therapy combined with abemaciclib in breast cancer patients.
• Research is ongoing to identify undiscovered genetic mutations and explore gene expression dysregulation in families with a high incidence of inherited breast cancer.
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