Anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody(Immunotech)

Pictured: FibroGen signage at its headquarters in California/iStock, Sundry Photography FibroGen endured clinical setbacks and a leadership shake-up in recent months, but the California biotech remains optimistic about its path forward, the company said Monday during its second-quarter 2023 earnings report. In particular, FibroGen will focus on what interim CEO Thane Wettig calls its “four strategic pillars” to help the company maximize shareholder value. First of these pillars is its Phase III candidate pamrevlumab, which is currently being developed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The investigational antibody, designed to target the CTGF protein, hit a rough patch during the second quarter, suffering Phase III failures in DMD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in June. The latter was especially tough and forced FibroGen to abandon the development of pamrevlumab in this indication. The company now hopes to turn pamrevlumab’s situation around with three upcoming late-stage readouts, including one in ambulatory DMD in the third quarter of this year and two in pancreatic cancer in the first half of 2024. FibroGen’s second pillar is roxadustat, a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the HIF-PH protein approved in several territories for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease. The second quarter of 2023 has seen record Roxadustat sales in China, where the drug made a total of $76.4 million, up 44% from its $53.1 million sales figure during the same period the year before. Roxadustat is not approved in the U.S., after the FDA rejected its application in August 2021, citing safety signals. In May 2023, the candidate failed the Phase III MATTERHORN trial in myelodysplastic syndrome. Still, FibroGen is looking to continue to strengthen its roxadustat business, particularly in China, where it is preparing to apply a supplemental New Drug Application for the drug in chemotherapy-induced anemia and expects a potential approval mid-2024. Bolstering FibroGen’s two most mature assets is a robust early-stage oncology pipeline, which includes FG-3246, an anti-CD46 monoclonal antibody that it in-licensed from Fortis Therapeutics in May 2023. The candidate is being developed for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and other solid tumors, and has best-in-class and first-in-class potential. Data FibroGen currently has two Phase I studies for FG-3246, with findings expected starting late this year through 2024. A Phase II study is also being planned with data out 2026. “We believe there are few biotechnology companies of our market cap that have such a compelling mix of commercial, late-stage and early-stage assets,” Wettig said during an investor call Monday, adding that this balance puts FibroGen in a good place to create significant shareholder value moving forward. To support the advancement of its pipeline is FibroGen’s fourth strategic pillar—its cash position. As of June 30, 2023, its cash—defined as cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable—was $361.3 million. FibroGen expects its cash, cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable to support its operations into 2026. The company posted $44.3 million in total revenue in the second quarter of 2023 as compared with $29.8 million during the same period the year before, representing a 49% increase. FibroGen anticipates its operating expense savings to ramp up over the next three quarters. Tristan Manalac is an independent science writer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. He can be reached at tristan@tristanmanalac.com or tristan.manalac@biospace.com.

Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had a busy week leading up to the Labor Day holiday. Here’s a look at the agency’s recent activities. Sept 1 Immusoft’s IND for a Phase I trial of ISP-001, being developed to treat mucopolysaccharidosis type I, was granted the FDA’s green light. It is the first-ever engineered B cell therapy to enter the clinic, the company reported. eCential Robotics received FDA 501(k) clearance for its 3D imaging, navigation and robotics guidance system. Aston Sci. obtained FDA approval to initiate a Phase II trial of AST-301, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals received Orphan Drug Designation for BCX9250, which is being developed to treat fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). Intellia Therapeutics was granted Orphan Drug Designation for its in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing candidate NTLA-2002 for hereditary angioedema (HAE). Revelle Aesthetics received extended FDA clearance for its precision cellulite release device Aveli. It is now indicated for long-term reduction in the appearance of cellulite in the buttocks and thigh areas of adult women. GenBody America announced the FDA had amended its EUA for the GenBody COVID-19 Ag kit, which was updated to include prefilled individual reagent tubes for each device. Aug 31 Longeveron received Fast Track Designation for Lomecel-B for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Sanofi reported the FDA-approved Xenpozyme (olipudase alfa-rpcp) for adult and pediatric patients with acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), also called Niemann-Pick disease. The company also received Priority Review for its BLA for efanesoctocog alfa for the treatment of hemophilia A. The PDUFA date is February 28, 2023. United BioPharma received the go-ahead for a Phase II trial. The IND was submitted by NIAID to evaluate the antiviral activity of UB-421 in combination with optimized background ART in HIV-1 patients with multi-drug resistance. UB-421 is an anti-CD4 antibody. Scilex Holding Company, a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, received Fast Track Designation for SP-103, a drug and device product candidate to treat acute and chronic pain. The drug is being developed to be a non-opioid triple-strength, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system for treatment of acute LBD. Maze Therapeutics’ MZE001 received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for Pompe disease. The drug is an oral glycogen synthase (GYS1) inhibitor. Pfizer and BioNTech’s bivalent and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 COVID-19 vaccines for COVID-19 were granted Emergency Use Authorization for people 12 years and older as a single booster dose. Moderna reported the FDA granted EUA for its bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years and older as a single booster. Aquestive Therapeutics reported the FDA granted tentative approval for Libervant (diazepam) Buccal Film for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity. Baxter International announced the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for its new Novum IQ syringe infusion pump with Dose IQ Safety Software. Aug. 29 Neuronetics received 510(k) clearance for its D-Tect MT Accessory, which helps doctors by visually reporting the magnitude of finger movements during motor threshold (MT) mapping for treatment of major depressive disorder. Serpex Medical received 510(k) clearance for its Recon Steerable Sheath, a steerable endobronchial tool to enable physicians to access difficult-to-reach areas of the lung. TRACON Pharmaceuticals received the go-ahead for a Phase I/II trial of YH001 in combination with envafolimab and doxorubicin for sarcoma patients, including treatment-naïve patients. It will evaluate patients with the combination of YH001 and envafolimab in patients with the rare sarcoma subtypes of alveolar soft part sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. It will also evaluate YH001, envafolimab and doxorubicin in the more prevalent subtypes of leiomyosarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. YH001 is an IgG1 antibody against CTLA-4. BrainsWay received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Deep TMS H7 Coil for use in treating adults with major depressive disorder and depression including those with comorbid anxiety symptoms (anxious depression). Deep TMS is Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.