YALE UNIVERSITY
🇺🇸United States
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Ownership
- Private
- Established
- 1701-10-09
- Employees
- 10K
- Market Cap
- -
- Website
- http://www.yale.edu
VERAXA Biotech Appoints Oncology Veteran Rick Austin as Chief Scientific Officer to Advance Novel Cancer Therapies
• Dr. Rick Austin, with over 25 years of oncology drug development experience, joins VERAXA Biotech as Chief Scientific Officer to advance the company's BiTAC platform and clinical-stage pipeline.
• Austin brings extensive expertise from leadership roles at Harpoon Therapeutics, Amgen, and Tularik, where he led tumor immunology projects and enabled numerous IND filings and first-in-human studies.
• VERAXA, an emerging leader in novel cancer therapies and proposed acquisition target of Voyager Acquisition Corp., aims to leverage Austin's expertise to expand therapeutic windows for antibody drug conjugates and T-cell engagers.
Yale Study Shows Nasal Vaccine Boosters Effective Without Adjuvants for Respiratory Disease Protection
• Yale researchers have discovered that nasal vaccine boosters can trigger robust immune responses in the respiratory tract without requiring adjuvants, offering a potential breakthrough for respiratory disease prevention.
• The study demonstrates that simple viral protein antigens delivered nasally can effectively boost immunity at the primary site of viral entry, suggesting a safer approach to respiratory vaccine development.
• These findings could significantly impact future vaccine strategies for diseases like COVID-19 by providing targeted protection where respiratory viruses first enter the body.
Yale's Experimental Cancer Vaccine Shows Remarkable Success in Canine Clinical Trials
• A novel cancer vaccine developed at Yale University has demonstrated promising results in canine clinical trials, with multiple dogs showing complete tumor regression after treatment.
• The experimental immunotherapy, currently being tested at 13 sites across North America including two in Washington state, offers hope for dogs diagnosed with typically fatal cancers like melanoma and osteosarcoma.
• Recent success stories include Lola, a golden retriever who overcame metastatic oral melanoma, and Rainier, an Akita who survived both bone cancer and lung metastasis after receiving the vaccine treatment.
Tavapadon Shows Promise in Phase 3 Trials for Parkinson's Disease with Improved Motor Function and Safety Profile
• The TEMPO-1 and TEMPO-2 trials demonstrated that tavapadon, a selective D1/D5 dopamine receptor agonist, significantly improved motor function in newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease patients compared to placebo.
• Tavapadon's once-daily dosing regimen and targeting of D1/D5 receptors may offer advantages over traditional D2/D3 agonists, with lower incidence of impulse control disorders, somnolence, and other dopaminergic side effects.
• The TEMPO-3 trial showed tavapadon's efficacy as an adjunctive therapy, increasing "on" time by 1.1 hours in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who experience motor fluctuations while on levodopa.
Novel Drug Combination Shows Promise Against KRAS-Mutated Lung Cancer Resistance
• VCU Massey researchers discovered that combining FDA-approved sotorasib with experimental FGTI-2734 effectively overcomes resistance in KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, potentially offering new hope for the 14% of patients with this mutation.
• The experimental drug FGTI-2734 blocks wild type RAS membrane localization and prevents ERK reactivation, the cellular process cancer cells use to develop resistance to current KRAS inhibitor treatments.
• While showing promising results in laboratory studies using patient-derived tumors, researchers are now working toward securing FDA approval for clinical trials to bring this potential paradigm-shifting treatment to patients.
PharmAla to Develop Novel MDMA Dosage Form for Military PTSD Trial at UT Health San Antonio
• PharmAla Biotech will supply both 40mg and new 20mg LaNeo MDMA capsules for a Department of Defense-funded PTSD treatment trial targeting active-duty military personnel.
• The STRONG STAR Consortium at UT Health San Antonio secured $10M in Defense Appropriations Act funding to conduct groundbreaking research on MDMA-Assisted Therapy for military populations.
• The study represents one of the first investigations into MDMA-Assisted Therapy specifically designed for active-duty military personnel, with trials to be conducted at UT Health San Antonio and Emory University.
Ocean Biomedical's Novel Cancer Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Reversing EGFR-TKI Resistance in Lung Cancer
• Ocean Biomedical's breakthrough research demonstrates their immunotherapy candidates can synergize with tyrosine kinase inhibitors like osimertinib to suppress tumor growth in EGFR-mutant lung cancer.
• The study reveals the first-ever role of chitinase 3-like-1 (CHi3L1) in EGFR-mutant cancers, showing potential to restore treatment sensitivity in patients who have developed resistance to standard therapies.
• The company plans to initiate FDA discussions this year for clinical development pathway, while also advancing their bispecific antibody platform targeting PD-1/CTLA4 pathways in multiple cancer types.
Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Advanced Kidney Cancer Trial
• A groundbreaking Phase 1 trial at Yale Cancer Center demonstrated successful anti-cancer immune responses in all nine patients with advanced kidney cancer using personalized therapeutic vaccines.
• The vaccine, designed to target specific tumor mutations, generated strong T-cell responses within three weeks of treatment and maintained effectiveness for approximately three years post-treatment.
• Patients experienced minimal side effects, primarily mild flu-like symptoms, suggesting a favorable safety profile for this innovative approach to treating advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
UCI Researchers Launch Innovative Phase 2 Trial for Advanced Gastric Cancer Treatment
UCI Health researchers are leading a groundbreaking Phase 2 clinical trial called Stopgap, targeting advanced gastric cancer with a novel three-pronged treatment approach. The trial, which began in 2021, combines direct abdominal chemotherapy with conventional treatments and is particularly significant for Hispanic populations who face higher incidence rates of gastric cancer.
FDA Approves Spravato (Esketamine) Nasal Spray as Standalone Treatment for Treatment-Resistant Depression
• The FDA has approved Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray as a monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
• Spravato demonstrated rapid and superior improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo in clinical trials.
• The approval was based on a study where 22.5% of patients achieved remission with Spravato compared to 7.6% with placebo.
• Due to risks, Spravato is only available through a restricted program under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Revolutionizing Drug Development: The Rise of Targeted Protein Degradation
Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) represents a groundbreaking shift in pharmaceutical research, offering a novel approach to drug development by leveraging the body's natural protein degradation system. This method, which involves tagging disease-causing proteins for destruction by the proteasome, has shown promising results in clinical trials, particularly in cancer treatment. With over 36 drugs currently in clinical testing, TPD is paving the way for treatments that were previously unattainable, marking a significant advancement in the fight against complex diseases.
FDA Panel Supports Condoliase Injection for Herniated Disc-Related Leg Pain
• FDA advisory panel voted 8-4 in favor of condoliase for radicular leg pain due to lumbar disc herniation, highlighting its potential for patients who have not responded to conservative treatments.
• The panel emphasized the need for a narrow indication, focusing on patients with confirmed nerve root impingement and failure of at least 6 weeks of conservative therapy.
• Concerns were raised regarding potential immune-related adverse events and long-term effects on spinal health, necessitating careful monitoring and further research.
• Condoliase, currently available in Japan, works by reducing disc volume and relieving pressure on the nerve root, offering a non-opioid alternative to surgery for some patients.
Study Reveals Unique Psoriasis Care Perspectives Among Latine Patients in Urban Healthcare Setting
• A qualitative study at a San Francisco safety-net hospital uncovered six interconnected themes characterizing Latine patients' experiences with psoriasis management and treatment decisions.
• Researchers identified distinct cultural beliefs among Latine psoriasis patients, including concerns about workplace discrimination and alternative views on disease causation related to stress and nutrition.
• The study highlights positive attitudes toward biologic medications and research participation among Latine patients, while noting barriers in accessing quality dermatologic care and communication challenges.
Halda Therapeutics to Present RIPTAC Cancer Therapies at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
• Halda Therapeutics will present at the 43rd annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, showcasing its RIPTAC™ (Regulated Induced Proximity TArgeting Chimeras) platform.
• The presentation by CEO Christian Schade will include a corporate overview, recent product pipeline progress, and upcoming milestones for Halda's cancer therapies.
• Halda's RIPTAC therapeutics employ a novel "hold and kill" mechanism designed to overcome cancer's resistance to current precision oncology medicines.
• A Phase 1 trial for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is planned to begin in 2025, marking a significant step in clinical development.
Cassava Sciences Announces Workforce Reduction and Provides Update on Alzheimer's Program
• Cassava Sciences is reducing its workforce by approximately 33% as part of cost-saving measures following Phase 3 trial results.
• Topline data from the REFOCUS-ALZ study of simufilam in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's is expected in late Q1 or early Q2 2025.
• The company's cash and cash equivalents were approximately $128.6 million as of December 31, 2024, before cost curtailment.
• Cassava Sciences remains dedicated to developing novel medicines for central nervous system disorders despite recent setbacks.
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Shows Promise for Mental Health in Cancer Patients and Alcohol Use Disorder
• Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and other psychological distress in cancer patients, with benefits lasting up to six months.
• In patients with alcohol use disorder, psilocybin therapy led to reduced impulsivity, depression, and increased openness to emotions, observed seven months post-treatment.
• Studies highlight the potential of psilocybin, when administered under medical supervision and combined with psychotherapy, to induce lasting, positive personality changes.
• Researchers plan to explore the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for opioid-use disorder, building on observed benefits in alcohol use disorder and cancer patients.
FDA Approves Journavx, a Novel Non-Opioid Painkiller, Offering New Hope for Acute Pain Management
• The FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, for treating moderate to severe acute pain in adults, offering a safer alternative to opioids.
• Journavx works by selectively blocking pain signals in the peripheral nervous system, reducing pain without the addictive potential and severe side effects associated with opioids.
• Clinical trials demonstrated Journavx's effectiveness in reducing pain after surgeries, with a safety profile comparable to placebo, though it didn't outperform opioid-acetaminophen combinations.
• Priced at $15.50 per pill, Journavx faces challenges in accessibility due to its higher cost compared to generic opioids, but it represents a significant step in combating the opioid crisis.
60 Degrees Pharma's Tafenoquine Receives IRB Approval for Phase II Chronic Babesiosis Study
• 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals has received IRB approval for a Phase II study evaluating Tafenoquine for chronic babesiosis.
• The open-label study will assess the efficacy and safety of Tafenoquine over 90 days in patients with chronic babesiosis.
• Patient enrollment is expected to commence in Q3 2025, targeting those with significant functional impairment for at least six months.
• The company estimates a substantial addressable market for Tafenoquine in babesiosis, potentially exceeding 400,000 patients by 2035.
Tiziana Life Sciences Advances Foralumab for MS and SCI Treatment
• Tiziana Life Sciences is expanding its Phase 2 trial of intranasal foralumab for non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS) to include more prestigious U.S. medical centers.
• The company announced the discovery of new immune biomarkers in patients with na-SPMS treated with nasal foralumab, enhancing understanding of the drug's mechanism.
• Preclinical studies show that nasal anti-CD3 treatment, foralumab, led to notable advancements in motor functions in models with spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Tiziana Life Sciences has dosed additional patients in its Expanded Access Program for na-SPMS, with early data showing disease stabilization or improvement.
Nirsevimab Shows High Efficacy in Preventing RSV Hospitalizations in Infants
• A new study reveals that nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody injection, is highly effective in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations in infants, with a 93% reduction reported.
• Real-world data from Ireland demonstrates a 94% decrease in RSV hospitalizations among babies under one year old following the rollout of nirsevimab.
• The CDC reports that nirsevimab reduced RSV-related hospitalizations by 89% in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta during the first season of its administration.
• Unlike vaccines, nirsevimab provides immediate protection by directly dosing infants with antibodies, offering a crucial preventative measure against severe RSV infections.
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