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China's drug prowess on show at global event, drawing industry ‘shoppers': Jefferies
China's drug prowess on show at global event, drawing industry ‘shoppers': Jefferies

South China Morning Post

time15-07-2025

  • Business
  • South China Morning Post

China's drug prowess on show at global event, drawing industry ‘shoppers': Jefferies

China's cost and efficiency advantages in drug development have been recognised at the world's largest cancer research conference in the US, where companies were eagerly shopping for Chinese innovations, according to a new report. Nearly a third of the presentations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting last month involved drug candidates from Chinese companies, American brokerage Jefferies said on Monday in its 'Shopping in China's Biotech Supermarket' report. Chinese firms made 73 presentations at this year's event, up from one a decade ago, it noted. The event allowed novel drug developers to showcase their latest research findings and find potential partners to accelerate the development of drug candidates across global markets. 'Increasingly, multinationals are turning their attention to Chinese biotech companies and assets, given their cost efficiencies, accelerated timelines and promising quality,' said lead author Cui Cui, Jefferies' head of healthcare research for Asia, in the report. Multinationals, facing rising pressure from potential sharp declines in prices as patents expire on their top-selling drugs, are finding China an increasingly attractive place to acquire development rights through licensing deals, she said. Such deals typically give the acquirers exclusive rights to develop drugs that have already shown promising efficacy and safety by conducting large-scale clinical trials and applying for approval in certain agreed markets. In general, the Chinese firms that discover the compounds retain the rights in their home market.

Faron Pharmaceuticals To Earn Spotlight At IUIS 2025 With Its Bexmarilimab Data
Faron Pharmaceuticals To Earn Spotlight At IUIS 2025 With Its Bexmarilimab Data

Int'l Business Times

time08-07-2025

  • Business
  • Int'l Business Times

Faron Pharmaceuticals To Earn Spotlight At IUIS 2025 With Its Bexmarilimab Data

In a year already marked by critical scientific milestones, Faron Pharmaceuticals is set to take center stage once again. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has announced that detailed Phase II data from its BEXMAB study evaluating bexmarilimab (bex), a novel immunotherapy targeting Clever-1, has been accepted for oral presentation at the 19th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS) in Vienna, Austria, from August 17 to 22, 2025. This development is particularly significant given the current landscape of treatment for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS), a rare and aggressive group of bone marrow disorders with limited therapeutic options and poor prognoses, especially for patients who relapse or fail frontline hypomethylating agents (HMAs). Standard treatments have seen little advancement in recent decades, with response rates in the relapsed/refractory setting often below 10% and median overall survival typically less than six months. Immunotherapies targeting the tumor microenvironment, particularly macrophage-mediated immune resistance, represent a promising new frontier in hematology. Bex's ability to reprogram immunosuppressive macrophages and enhance anti-tumor immune responses marks a major shift from traditional cytotoxic approaches and has the potential to redefine the standard of care for HR-MDS and other difficult-to-treat malignancies. The company's inclusion in the oral sessions, one of the most prestigious scientific categories at IUIS, signals a rising recognition of bex's potential to change the treatment landscape for HR-MDS. This is the latest in a series of high-profile scientific endorsements for Faron, following similar honors at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International MDS Symposium earlier this year. Bex is Faron's first-in-class anti-Clever-1 monoclonal antibody designed to reprogram immunosuppressive macrophages in the bone marrow. When combined with azacitidine, a current standard-of-care hypomethylating agent, the therapy aims to overcome treatment resistance and restore the body's ability to combat cancerous cells, a vital advancement for a disease that has long been resistant to effective treatment. At IUIS 2025, Dr. Mika Kontro, MD, PhD, will deliver a presentation titled "Efficacy of Macrophage Checkpoint Clever-1 Inhibition with bexmarilimab plus Azacitidine in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Results from the Ph1/2 BEXMAB Study." The talk will highlight both frontline HR-MDS patients and those with relapsed/refractory (r/r) disease who have failed prior HMA therapy. According to early disclosures, the data set includes impressive objective response rates and significant reductions in bone marrow blast counts, especially notable in a population where few therapeutic options remain. Acceptance into IUIS's oral presentation track is not just a ceremonial nod. It's a peer-reviewed endorsement from one of the most rigorous scientific communities in immunology. For Faron, it is another critical validation of its mission: to address treatment-resistant diseases through bold immunological strategies. "We are thrilled to see bex's data receive acceptance for oral presentation at IUIS, following similar recognition at MDS and ASCO," states Dr. Juho Jalkanen, CEO of Faron Pharmaceuticals. "This continued momentum reinforces our belief that bex holds real promise as a much-needed therapeutic option for patients with higher-risk MDS, a rare and challenging condition with few effective treatments." The past year has been pivotal for Faron. Following its positive Phase II results announced at ASCO, where bex achieved a median overall survival of 13.4 months in r/r MDS patients, more than double historical norms, the company has rapidly accelerated its development roadmap. "We're not just excited by the numbers," Dr. Juho affirms. "We're driven by what this could mean for real people living with a devastating illness. If we can offer them a longer, better-quality life, we've done something truly meaningful." With preparations underway for a registrational trial and ongoing regulatory engagement, Faron is also eyeing accelerated approval pathways. According to the company, upcoming interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will focus on confirming the new composite complete response (cCR) endpoints outlined by the IWG 2023 criteria, which link closely to survival and long-term outcomes. Though much of the spotlight is on MDS, bex is part of a larger strategy: to harness the immune system's overlooked components to address immune resistance across a range of hard-to-treat cancers. Faron's broader pipeline reflects this ambition, with additional studies underway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other indications where macrophage manipulation could yield significant benefits. But for now, all eyes are on Vienna, where the company's work will once again be put to the test, and, it hopes, further cement its place among the most exciting innovators in oncology.

Transgene completes initial screening in Phase II part of TG4050 vaccine trial
Transgene completes initial screening in Phase II part of TG4050 vaccine trial

Yahoo

time20-06-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Transgene completes initial screening in Phase II part of TG4050 vaccine trial

Transgene has completed the initial subject screening for the Phase II segment of its Phase I/II trial of individualised neoantigen therapeutic vaccine, TG4050, as a monotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative squamous head and neck cancers. The vaccine is based on the myvac platform powered by its partner NEC's AI to enhance antigen selection. During the Phase I portion of the trial, all subjects treated with the vaccine remained disease-free post a minimum follow-up of two years, demonstrating clinical proof of principle. Translational data indicated that these subjects showed sustained T cell responses at 24 months. Meeting all trial endpoints, the findings were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2025) annual meeting. The company anticipates completing the randomisation of all subjects in the Phase II part by the end of this year, after a second screening carried out post-surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Around 80 subjects who have completely responded to adjuvant therapy are expected to be enrolled and randomised in the Phase I/II trial. The first immunogenicity data from the Phase II part are projected to be available in the second half of 2026, with preliminary efficacy data anticipated in the second half of 2027. The trial is assessing the treatment benefits of the vaccine in individuals at risk of relapse. So far, 32 evaluable patients have been included in the Phase I part, with the Phase II continuing globally. Transgene chief medical officer Dr Emmanuelle Dochy said: 'Timely completion of first patient screening of the Phase II part of our Phase I/II trial is an important milestone for Transgene and brings us one step closer to providing a new treatment option for patients living with operable squamous head and neck cancer. 'With meaningful data readouts expected over the next two years, we are preparing to deliver important data for TG4050 and, at the same time, explore its wider potential. We are grateful to the patients, their families, investigators, and clinical staff whose commitment made this achievement possible.' "Transgene completes initial screening in Phase II part of TG4050 vaccine trial" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio

Doctors stunned to see strict exercise regimen is as good as medicine for colon cancer
Doctors stunned to see strict exercise regimen is as good as medicine for colon cancer

Business Insider

time14-06-2025

  • Health
  • Business Insider

Doctors stunned to see strict exercise regimen is as good as medicine for colon cancer

Scientists and doctors love to joke that exercise is a pretty great drug. But can workouts really compete with chemotherapy to prevent a disease like recurrent colon cancer? That's been tough to prove — until now. Results of the first randomized controlled trial of exercise as a treatment for recurrent high-risk cancer were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on June 1, and they stunned the crowd of doctors gathered there from around the world. The 17-year trial included over 880 patients from around the globe, each recovering from high-risk stage 2 or stage 3 colon cancer after treatment. Half of the participants were given general advice about exercise and how it can improve cancer survival. The other half were given a structured, three-year exercise prescription to follow, with the goal of preventing recurrence or a new cancer diagnoses. In the trial, exercise outperformed what adjuvant (or, secondary) chemotherapy can do to boost a patient's long-term survival, after surgery and primary treatment is over. Adjuvant cancer treatment is the kind designed to kill any extra cancer cells left behind, and prevent cancer from coming back. "Exercise is no longer just an intervention that improves quality of life and fitness. It is a treatment," Chris Booth, the study's lead author and a medical oncologist at Queen's University in Ontario, told the crowd. Brisk walking prevented recurrent colon cancer, plus new breast and prostate cases In the study, patients who followed an exercise regimen reduced their risk of death by 37%, and reduced their risk of cancer recurrence and new cancer development by 28%. The benefits of this three-year exercise prescription — which included advice and support from a trainer or physical therapist — were also long-lasting. After eight years, 90% of patients in the exercise program were alive compared to 83% in the control group. This 7% survival bump is comparable to (and in some cases exceeds) the survival benefits of standard drugs that doctors use in this same context. The common adjuvant chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin gives patients an overall survival boost of 5% after 10 years. Many other adjuvant cancer drugs deliver similar survival benefits, of around 5 to 10%. The effect didn't seem to be due to other factors. Patients didn't lose weight or belly fat, and no meaningful difference was seen in fatal heart attacks. The exercisers also weren't turning into Olympic athletes; they were just doing the equivalent of about 1.5 to 2.25 extra hours of brisk walking each week. In addition to reducing colon cancer diagnoses and deaths, the exercise also seemed to reduce the risk of other cancers. In the exercise group, there were two new cases of breast cancer diagnosed, compared to 12 cases among the controls. Other cancer doctors at the conference were shocked at the magnitude of the effect even though they've always kind of known exercise is good for cancer. Exercise is generally recommended to patients in recovery to improve outcomes. But to beat standard chemotherapy drugs? That was impressive. Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist at NYU Langone who was not involved in the study, said he'd like to bring this treatment to his patients, maybe with some help from wearables like watches, and on-demand fitness classes people can access at home. "If you could somehow package this and bill it as a drug, it would be very valuable because the benefit was really remarkable," he said. Scientists are still figuring out why exercise is so great at preventing and treating cancer Researchers are still studying the blood samples of patients who were in this study, drilling down into what might be driving the anti-cancer effects from exercise. Oberstein suspects that exercise is probably doing something that's powerfully anti-inflammatory in the body, reducing tumor growth, and preventing cancer's spread. At least, that's what he observes when he studies mice on treadmills in his lab. "Of course, mice on treadmills are not really people," he said, chuckling. "But what we see, and what we think might be applying, is that they have less inflammation." Other researchers think that perhaps exercise is revving up the immune system, engaging in what's called "immune surveillance" against cancer. "These are very hard things to measure over a long period of time," Oberstein said. Booth, who's been an avid long-distance runner ever since he was a kid, said this treatment should now be offered to any recovering colon cancer patient who wants it. "This intervention is empowering for patients, it is achievable for patients, and with a cost that is far lower than our standard," he said near the end of his talk. Slowly, but surely, the whole crowd stood up and burst into a sustained and hearty standing ovation.

The leading risk factor for cancer isn't what you think
The leading risk factor for cancer isn't what you think

Yahoo

time13-06-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

The leading risk factor for cancer isn't what you think

If you were to ask most people what causes cancer, the answer would probably be smoking, alcohol, the sun, hair dye or some other avoidable element. But the most important risk factor for cancer is something else: aging. That's right, the factor most associated with cancer is unavoidable — and a condition that we will all experience. Why is this important? Older adults are the fastest growing population in Canada and globally. By 2068, approximately 29 per cent of Canadians will be over age 65. With cancer being one of the most common diseases in older adults and one of the most common diseases in Canada, it means we need to think about how to provide the best cancer care for older adults. So how are we doing so far? The answer is: not great. This may be surprising, but we also have a great opportunity to innovate and prepare for this demographic shift in cancer care. International guidelines — including those from the American Society of Clinical Oncology — say that all older adults should have a geriatric assessment prior to making a decision about their cancer treatment. The most widely used models of geriatric assessment involve a geriatrician. Consultation with a geriatrician for an older adult allows the oncologist and older adult to engage in a conversation about cancer treatment armed with information. Things like how treatment might affect their cognition, their function, their existing illnesses (which most older adults have when they are diagnosed with cancer), and the years of remaining life. Importantly, geriatricians centre their assessment on what matters most to patients. This approach anchors any decision about cancer around the wishes of older adults and their support system. When diagnosed with cancer, older adults undergo many tests and measures of function, but the evidence supports that these are not as accurate as geriatric assessment for identifying problems that may be below the surface. In Canada, there are currently only a handful of specialized geriatric oncology clinics. The oldest clinic is in Montréal at the Jewish General Hospital, followed closely by the Older Adult with Cancer Clinic at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, led by Shabbir Alibhai, one of the authors of this story. As researchers, we are in touch with clinics in Ontario and Alberta that have told us they have geriatric oncology services under development, so we hope to see new programs soon. These clinics aren't just good for patients. In fact, a study led by Shabbir Alibhai demonstrated a cost savings of approximately $7,000 per older adult seen in these clinics. If we map this onto the number of older adults diagnosed with cancer in Canada every year, this represents a huge cost savings for our public health system. Despite this overwhelming evidence, this is still not routine care. In British Columbia, there are currently no specialized services for older adults with cancer. Over the last five years, Kristen Haase — also an author of this story — has been working with colleagues to understand whether these services are needed and how they could help older adults with cancer in B.C. This work involved conversations with more than 100 members of the cancer community. The research team spoke with older adults undergoing cancer treatment, who sometimes had to relocate for cancer treatment. Other participants included caregivers who cared for elderly family members during their cancer treatment and described numerous challenges they faced, and volunteers who ran a free transportation service — a service also mostly staffed by older adult volunteers. The research team also heard from health-care professionals: oncologists, nurses, physiotherapists and social workers. The latter group coalesced around the need for additional supports within the cancer care system so they could do their job well, and best support older adults. The results indicate that both those working in the system and those using the system want and need better support. So where are we now and why don't we have these services across Canada? Cost is obviously a barrier to any health-care service. But with evidence that any costs will be offset by demonstrated cost savings, this is a non-starter. Health human resources are one huge restriction. Geriatricians are in high demand and there is low supply. However, nurse-led models have also been shown to be successful. With the expanding role of nurse practitioners across Canada, this option has huge potential to innovate care, and at a lower cost. Another reason is good old inertia. Our clinical care model in oncology has remained mostly intact for over three decades. It is primarily a single physician-driven model. Although modern therapies for cancer have emerged at a breathtaking pace and have been introduced into clinical practice, it is much harder to change the model of care, particularly for strategies such as geriatric assessment that are harder to implement than a new drug or surgical/radiation technique. The last, and perhaps the most difficult to pin down of all potential reasons for the absence of specialized cancer services for older adults, is agism. Agism is discrimination based on age. It is one of the most common forms of discrimination and it is deeply embedded in many of our systems. Imagine a scenario where children diagnosed with cancer couldn't access a pediatrician. We would collectively be outraged. Yet somehow, we accept this for older adults. Due to the overwhelming number of older adults who are and will be diagnosed with cancer in the coming years, it will never be possible for all of them to receive specialized geriatric services. But there is an opportunity to innovate models of care that are targeted to those who need services the most: those who are most frail, are most likely to benefit from tailored care, and will reap the most benefit in terms of quality of life. Stratifying these programs around those who need them the most will also have the greatest financial impact. And if personal stories of improving quality of life for older adults with cancer or international guidelines don't move decision-makers, hopefully cost savings will. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kristen Haase, University of British Columbia and Shabbir Alibhai, University of Toronto Read more: Preventing delirium protects seniors in hospital, but could also ease overcrowding and emergency room backlogs For cancer patients, maintaining muscle is vital to health and treatment, but staying strong is complicated The risk of lung cancer for young breast cancer survivors The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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