▎WuXiEdited by the Kant Content Team

80% of Patients Show Disease Control, Phase 2 Clinical Results of Innovative Immunotherapy Combination Announced

HOOKIPA Pharma recently announced that at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC2024), Phase 2 clinical data evaluating eseback-vect in combination with pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for human papillomavirus type 16 positive (HPV16+) recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) was presented.

This poster presents the results of a subgroup of patients expressing PD-L1 (CPS>20, n=27). As of September 30, 2024,Data show that eseba-vec demonstrated a 52% overall response rate (ORR) and an 80% disease control rate (DCR). Although progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data are not yet mature, the preliminary median PFS has exceeded 16 months, with a 12-month overall survival rate of 83%, and 66.7% of confirmed responders continuing treatment.

Eseba-vec (also known as HB-200)Is an investigational immunotherapy being evaluated for HPV16-positive cancers, developed based on HOOKIPA's proprietary arenavirus platform, expressing the highly immunogenic E7E6 fusion protein from HPV16. In mouse models, it has demonstrated strong immunogenicity and can elicit anti-tumor immune responses.

Novartis and Schrödinger Enter into a Research Collaboration Worth Over $2.4 Billion

Schrödinger today announced a research collaboration and license agreement with Novartis,Schrödinger and Novartis will integrate their existing research efforts to discover and advance therapies targeting undisclosed pathways in Novartis' core therapeutic areas.The agreement aims to advance multiple candidate drugs for Novartis to develop and commercialize. Schrödinger and Novartis will jointly oversee the discovery of candidate drugs, while Novartis will be responsible for clinical development, manufacturing, and global commercialization.

The two parties also announced the expansion of a three-year software agreement, which will significantly increase Novartis' access to Schrödinger's computational predictive modeling technology and enterprise information platform. Novartis can deploy Schrödinger's full suite of drug discovery technologies across its various research sites. Schrödinger will provide comprehensive support to ensure the complete integration and optimization of the platform, enabling Novartis to rapidly apply computational technology at scale in drug discovery projects.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay Schrödinger $150 million upfront. Additionally, Schrödinger is eligible to receive up to $892 million in research, development, and regulatory milestone payments, as well as up to $1.38 billion in commercial milestone payments.

Targeting Parkinson’s Disease, GSK Reaches Over $600 Million R&D Collaboration

Vesalius Therapeutics Announces Multi-Target Strategic Collaboration with GSK to Discover and Develop Innovative Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease and Another Undisclosed Neurodegenerative DisorderVesalius will use its platform to identify novel intervention targets in Parkinson's disease and another neurodegenerative disease, and GSK will have the option to advance projects targeting these innovative targets. Additionally,GSK to Obtain Global Development and Commercialization Rights for Vesalius' Preclinical Small Molecule Program Initially Focused on Parkinson's Disease

Vesalius leverages large-scale human genetics, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, and artificial intelligence technologies to discover innovative intervention targets, driving the development of new therapies.Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will be responsible for advancing Vesalius' preclinical small molecule program, initially focusing on Parkinson's disease, with the option to advance development programs targeting innovative targets discovered in Parkinson’s disease and another neurodegenerative indication. GSK will handle all development and commercialization activities. Vesalius will receive an upfront payment and equity investment of $80 million and is eligible for up to $570 million in potential preclinical, development, and commercial milestone payments. Additionally, for each innovative target within this multi-target collaboration, Vesalius is also eligible to receive preclinical, development, and commercial milestone payments.

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