Frank Vinluan

1 week ago | medcitynews.com | Frank Vinluan

Well before a human receives the first dose of an experimental drug, it’s evaluated in an animal to test for toxicity. Monkeys are often chosen for their genetic similarities to humans, and safe results in this preclinical research can clear the way for a first-in-human trial. Nearly 20 years ago, an antibody drug that showed no toxic effects in monkeys led to an excessive immune response and life-threatening complications in all of the healthy human volunteers who received it.

2 weeks ago | medcitynews.com | Frank Vinluan |Tomasz Rezik

An experimental Alzheimer’s disease therapy designed by Alzheon to reduce depositions of amyloid plaque in the brain failed to beat a placebo in a Phase 3 study, the latest blow to a drug whose history is marked by clinical trial shortfalls. The twice-daily pill, valiltramiprosate, did not meet the main clinical trial goal of slowing cognitive decline measured at 78 weeks, Alzheon announced Thursday.

2 weeks ago | medcitynews.com | Frank Vinluan

Solu Therapeutics, a company developing a new type of antibody drug, unveiled $41 million in financing on Wednesday for clinical testing of a therapy with the potential to bring a safer and more effective approach to blood cancers. Boston-based Solu has already begun dosing patients in a Phase 1 test of lead program STX-0712 in resistant or refractory chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and other hematologic malignancies.

2 weeks ago | medcitynews.com | Frank Vinluan

Immunology continues to be one of the most active areas for drug research as the field aims to bring patients new ways to eliminate the antibodies driving autoimmune disease, but in a manner that does not also compromise the immune system. Merida Biosciences, a startup formed by venture capital firm Third Rock Ventures, emerged from stealth Tuesday, revealing $121 million in financing and a lead program for a common autoimmune condition that has not had a new approved therapy in decades.

2 weeks ago | medcitynews.com | Frank Vinluan

Before GLP-1 agonists became the blockbuster obesity drugs many people know and use today, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals was researching molecules that take a similar approach but for a different target. The biotech’s drug, Imcivree, has FDA approvals for two rare forms of obesity. Preliminary data from a pivotal test in yet another type position the drug to continue Rhythm’s pipeline-in-a-product strategy. The Imcivree data announced Monday are from a Phase 3 test in hypothalamic obesity.