Astex Pharmaceuticals

Astex Pharmaceuticals Announce Key Data Presentations at the American Association For Cancer Research (AACR) 2024 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Toxicity, Aplastic anemia, AACR, Astex Pharmaceuticals, MDM2, Half-life

ASTX295 is an oral, potent inhibitor of the p53-MDM2 protein-protein interaction that was discovered by Astex using its proprietary structure-based drug design approach.

Key Points: 
  • ASTX295 is an oral, potent inhibitor of the p53-MDM2 protein-protein interaction that was discovered by Astex using its proprietary structure-based drug design approach.
  • The compound was specifically designed to overcome the on-target toxicity seen in the first generation MDM2 antagonist compounds which have shown dose-limiting haematological toxicities in the clinic.
  • In contrast, ASTX295 is a potent MDM2 antagonist with a clean CYP/hERG profile and a shorter human half-life allowing for pulsatile pathway modulation while avoiding myelosuppression.
  • ASTX295 therefore has bone-marrow sparing characteristics which permit a differentiated safety profile to be presented at AACR.

Zymeworks Announces Appointment of Dr. Neil Gallagher to its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 28, 2024
AbbVie, Inflammation, Growth, AstraZeneca, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Trinity College, Novartis, Patient, Research, Standard of care, University, Head, Trinity College Dublin, Therapy, Cancer, Drug development, Amgen, Marketing, Pharmaceutical industry

Gallagher is the sixth director to join our board of directors in the past twelve months as we continue to refresh and strengthen the Board governance and oversight required for the next stage of the Company’s development and growth,” said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks.

Key Points: 
  • Gallagher is the sixth director to join our board of directors in the past twelve months as we continue to refresh and strengthen the Board governance and oversight required for the next stage of the Company’s development and growth,” said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks.
  • Dr. Gallagher has directly led or overseen multiple medical product approvals globally, including biologics and small molecules, across several therapeutic areas.
  • Before joining Syndax Pharmaceuticals in 2023, Dr. Gallagher was Head of Development and Chief Medical Officer of AbbVie.
  • Dr. Gallagher was also appointed to serve as a member of the research and development committee of the board of directors.

Merck Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Trial of MK-1084, an Investigational Oral KRAS G12C Inhibitor, in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for First-Line Treatment of Certain Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Oncology, Health, FDA, General Health, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, MSD, Congress, Mutation, NSCLC, Progression-free survival, Patient, Neoplasm, Merck & Co., Cancer, Lung cancer, TPS, MRK, ESMO, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, PD-L1, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical industry

“KRAS is among the most prevalent mutations in cancer and KRAS G12C is the most common KRAS mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories.

Key Points: 
  • “KRAS is among the most prevalent mutations in cancer and KRAS G12C is the most common KRAS mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories.
  • The primary endpoints of the study are progression-free survival and overall survival, and key secondary endpoints include objective response rate and duration of response.
  • Preliminary safety and efficacy data from this trial were previously presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in 2023.
  • MK-1084 is being developed through a collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Astex Pharmaceuticals (UK), a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

RegCell Appoints Leading T-Cell Therapy Expert Steven B. Kanner, Ph.D., to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Cell, Rachel Haurwitz, Drug discovery, Genetics, Inflammation, Patient, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Research, Bristol Myers Squibb, University, Publication, Reindeer, Microbiology, Regulatory T cell, RNA interference, Immune system, Therapy, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Book, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Vaccine

"We are honored to have Steve Kanner join our Board of Directors," remarked Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, co-founder of RegCell.

Key Points: 
  • "We are honored to have Steve Kanner join our Board of Directors," remarked Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, co-founder of RegCell.
  • "Dr. Kanner's profound understanding of immunology comes at a pivotal juncture for RegCell as we advance our clinical development and expand our Precision Epigenetic Reprogramming Platform.
  • Backed by leading institutional and corporate investors hailing from Japan, RegCell emerges as the next-generation global life science enterprise at the forefront of regulatory T-cell therapies.
  • Central to RegCell's innovation is its 'Precision Epigenetic Reprogramming' platform, which entails the epigenetic reprogramming of CD4+ T-cells into regulatory T-cells.

RAPT Therapeutics Bolsters Leadership Team with the Appointment of Nipun Davar, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President of Technical Operations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
SAN, Pharmacy, RAPT, Drug development, MBA, Hypoxia, Inflammation, Doctor of Philosophy, University, Therapy, Business, Patient, Astex Pharmaceuticals, CMC, Pharmaceutical industry

“I am delighted to announce the addition of Nipun to the RAPT leadership team and welcome his wealth of experience in small molecule product development and commercial manufacturing,” said Brian Wong, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of RAPT Therapeutics.

Key Points: 
  • “I am delighted to announce the addition of Nipun to the RAPT leadership team and welcome his wealth of experience in small molecule product development and commercial manufacturing,” said Brian Wong, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of RAPT Therapeutics.
  • Nipun brings over 27 years of extensive biopharmaceutical and drug development experience specializing in successful product development and commercial manufacturing.
  • Nipun holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.
  • Nipun added, "I am pleased to join the RAPT leadership team during this exciting period.

Third Success from Astex Drug Discovery Pharma Collaboration and Licence Agreements as AstraZeneca Receives US Marketing Approval for Cancer Drug Truqap (capivasertib)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023
Sale, Institute of Cancer Research, Translation, Research, AstraZeneca, Food, US Foods, PIK3CA, Mouse, Patient, PTEN, FDA, PKB, Marketing, Neoplasm, CRT, Therapy, US FDA, Drug discovery, AKT, Cancer, 3D, AKT1, Central nervous system, Recurrence, ICR, Pharmaceutical industry, Astex Pharmaceuticals

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Nov. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astex Pharmaceuticals (UK), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology and diseases of the central nervous system, announced today that it is in line to receive a milestone payment from AstraZeneca on first commercial sale of the drug in the US and royalties from AstraZeneca on future sales following the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Truqap™ plus Faslodex® as a treatment for adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with one or more biomarker alterations (PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN). Eligible patients will have progressed on at least one endocrine-based regimen in the metastatic setting or experienced recurrence on or within 12 months of completing adjuvant therapy.

Key Points: 
  • This is the third cancer drug in the last five years to reach market approval that has been discovered and developed under, or subsequent to, an Astex drug discovery collaboration.
  • Truqap was discovered by AstraZeneca following an earlier drug discovery research collaboration between Astex, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Cancer Research Technology (CRT; now Cancer Research Horizons) that was signed in 2003.
  • In 2010, AstraZeneca announced its discovery of Truqap, and began to develop the drug as a potential treatment for various forms of cancer.
  • This is also a great example of UK Biotech-Academia-Pharma collaboration and underlines the strength of the UK life sciences ecosystem.”
    Graphic of the hat-trick of three marketed cancer drugs discovered and developed under, or subsequent to, an Astex drug discovery collaboration with pharma

RegCell Appoints Experienced Life Science Executive and Entrepreneur Michael McCullar, Ph.D., MBA, as its New Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Osaka University, FDA, Immune tolerance, Food, Biotechnology, Business development, Acquisition, MBA, Regulation of tobacco by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Research, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Supergene, Syndrome, Drug development, Senior, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Technical advisor, Immune system, Business, Sumitomo Pharma, Kyoto University, Patient, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine, Regulatory T cell, Decitabine

"I am honored to join this remarkable team at an exciting time for RegCell as we prepare to enter the clinical stage and to support the company's mission to discover innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases," said Dr. Michael McCullar, Chief Executive Officer of RegCell.

Key Points: 
  • "I am honored to join this remarkable team at an exciting time for RegCell as we prepare to enter the clinical stage and to support the company's mission to discover innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases," said Dr. Michael McCullar, Chief Executive Officer of RegCell.
  • "In an era where the increasingly aging population is facing an escalating burden of autoimmune disorders, Treg-based cellular therapies are opening the doors to exciting new treatment possibilities.
  • Dr. McCullar has a wealth of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, spanning more than two decades.
  • Dr. McCullar has held several high-level executive positions at SuperGen, showcasing his commitment and upward career path within the company.

Antiva Biosciences Strengthens Leadership with Key New Appointments

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Human papillomavirus infection, Astex Pharmaceuticals, KAI, Project management, OB, Health, CIN, Therapy, Pharmacovigilance, FACOG, HPV, CMC, Acquisition, BRCA, Roivant Sciences, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Amgen, Clovis Oncology, Cancer, CMO, Chemistry, Apoptosis, Patient, Diagnosis, Management, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device, Tuba Mirum (Paus), EU

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Antiva Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, topical therapeutics for the treatment of high-risk infections and pre-cancerous lesions caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), today announced several key new appointments designed to strengthen the company's leadership as it continues to advance its lead development candidate, ABI-2280. The company has added Elaine Chien, M.D., FACOG, as chief medical officer, Susan Wilson, Ph.D., as vice president of project management and strategic initiatives, and Rajashree Joshi-Hangal, Ph.D., as vice president of technical operations. Collectively, these individuals bring Antiva significant industry experience in areas directly related to the company's ongoing work in developing innovative treatments for diseases caused by HPV infection.

Key Points: 
  • Collectively, these individuals bring Antiva significant industry experience in areas directly related to the company's ongoing work in developing innovative treatments for diseases caused by HPV infection.
  • "With the closing of our Series E financing earlier this year, Antiva entered an important new phase as we work to advance ABI-2280 into key efficacy studies across multiple indications.
  • Antiva is currently working to advance ABI-2280 into key efficacy studies.
  • She has also held positions of increasing managerial responsibilities in both technical and regulatory CMC areas  at Astex Pharmaceuticals.

Specific Biologics Announces Additional Investment and Appointment of Experienced Biotechnology Leader Steven Kanner, PhD, to the Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
ADMAR, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, MBA, Doctor of Philosophy, Research, Pregnancy specific biological substances, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Berkeley, MD, Master of Science, Organization, Therapy, Liver, Genetics, University, Mutation, Rachel Haurwitz, Disease, University of Miami Division of Surgical Neurooncology, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Cystic fibrosis, Annual Review of Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Acute leukemia, DSM-IV codes, Gene editing, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Specific, Dasatinib, CNS, Patient, Vaccine, Pharmaceutical industry, Investment, Microbiology, Immunology

Specific Biologics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing its proprietary two-site Dualase® platform gene editors to build a pipeline of treatments for serious genetic diseases.

Key Points: 
  • Specific Biologics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing its proprietary two-site Dualase® platform gene editors to build a pipeline of treatments for serious genetic diseases.
  • TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Specific Biologics Inc. ("Specific"), a venture-backed, early-stage genome editing company, is pleased to announce it has appointed Steven Kanner, PhD, as an Independent Director.
  • The appointment coincides with renewed investment from Lumira Ventures and adMare BioInnovations to advance the preclinical development of therapeutics based on Specific's proprietary Dualase® platform gene editors.
  • The additional investment from Lumira Ventures and adMare BioInnovations will be used to advance preclinical testing of Dualase gene editors in liver, ocular and CNS disorders.

Otsuka and Astex announce that the European Commission has approved INAQOVI® (oral decitabine and cedazuridine) for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Biotechnology, Health, Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Oncology, EEA, IV, Civil service commission, Acute leukemia, Fatigue, Astex Pharmaceuticals, European Medicines Agency, Clinical trial, Multimedia, EMA, Induction chemotherapy, AML, Patient, European Economic Area, Physician, EC, European Commission, Nursing, Vaccine, Decitabine, EU

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd. (Otsuka) and Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Astex) today announce that the European Commission (EC) has approved INAQOVI® (oral decitabine and cedazuridine) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for standard induction chemotherapy.

Key Points: 
  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd. (Otsuka) and Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Astex) today announce that the European Commission (EC) has approved INAQOVI® (oral decitabine and cedazuridine) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for standard induction chemotherapy.
  • The EC decision applies to the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
  • INAQOVI® is the first and only oral hypomethylating agent licensed in the EEA in this patient population.
  • Safety findings for the fixed-dose combination of decitabine and cedazuridine were generally consistent with those anticipated for IV decitabine1.