A Phase 1, Open-Label, Fixed-Sequence Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Esomeprazole and Gastric pH-Altering on the Pharmacokinetics of Emraclidine in Healthy Adult Participants

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of gastric pH-dependent drug-drug interaction effect of esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of emraclidine in healthy adult participants.

Start Date10 May 2024

Sponsor / Collaborator

Cerevel Therapeutics LLC

NCT06301971 / CompletedPhase 1

A Phase 1, Open-Label Trial to Assess the Mass Balance, Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism, and Excretion of Emraclidine in Healthy Adult Male Participants

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the mass balance, routes, and rates of elimination of total radioactivity and characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of emraclidine, metabolite CV-0000364, and total radioactivity in plasma and whole blood following a single oral dose of [14C]-emraclidine in healthy adult male participants.

Start Date04 Mar 2024

Sponsor / Collaborator

Cerevel Therapeutics LLC

NCT05965219 / CompletedPhase 1

A Phase 1, Open-label, Three-Part, Fixed-Sequence Trial in Healthy Adult Participants to Evaluate the Effects of Itraconazole and Carbamazepine on the Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Emraclidine, and the Effect of Emraclidine on the Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Metformin

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of itraconazole, a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of emraclidine and metabolite CV-0000364 in Part A, the effect of carbamazepine, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, on the PK of emraclidine and metabolite CV-0000364 in Part B, and to evaluate the effect of emraclidine on the PK of metformin in Part C in healthy adult participants.

Start Date15 Aug 2023

Sponsor / Collaborator

Cerevel Therapeutics LLC

100 Clinical Results associated with Emraclidine

100 Translational Medicine associated with Emraclidine

100 Patents (Medical) associated with Emraclidine

Literatures (Medical) associated with Emraclidine

01 Aug 2024·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism

PET imaging of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rhesus macaques using [¹¹C]MK-6884: Quantification with kinetic modeling and receptor occupancy by CVL-231 (emraclidine), a novel positive allosteric modulator

Article

Author: Duvvuri, Sridhar ; Moon, Sung-Hyun ; Renger, John J ; MacDonagh, Alexander C ; Yokell, Daniel L ; Iredale, Philip ; Dhaynaut, Maeva ; Guehl, Nicolas J ; Belov, Vasily ; Normandin, Marc D ; Chakilam, Srinivas ; El Fakhri, Georges ; Rice, Peter A

Stimulation of the M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor reduces striatal hyperdopaminergia, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Emraclidine (CVL-231) is a novel, highly selective, positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors i.e. acts as a modulator that increases the response of these receptors. First, we aimed to further characterize the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and quantification performance of a recently developed M4 PAM radiotracer, [11C]MK-6884, in non-human primates (NHPs). Second, we applied these results to determine the receptor occupancy of CVL-231 as a function of dose. Using paired baseline-blocking PET scans, we quantified total volume of distribution, binding potential, and receptor occupancy. Both blood-based and reference region-based methods quantified M4 receptor levels across brain regions. The 2-tissue 4-parameter kinetic model best fitted regional [11C]MK-6884-time activity curves. Only the caudate nucleus and putamen displayed statistically significant [11C]MK-6884 uptake and dose-dependent blocking by CVL-231. For binding potential and receptor occupancy quantification, the simplified reference tissue model using the grey cerebellum as a reference region was employed. CVL-231 demonstrated dose-dependent M4 receptor occupancy in the striatum of the NHP brain and shows promise for further development in clinical trials.

11 Jul 2024·Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Design and Synthesis of Clinical Candidate PF-06852231 (CVL-231): A Brain Penetrant, Selective, Positive Allosteric Modulator of the M₄ Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Article

Author: LaChapelle, Erik A ; Ogilvie, Kevin ; Gilbert, Adam ; Smith, Deborah ; Popiolek, Michael ; Lazzaro, John ; Butler, Christopher R ; Brodney, Michael A ; Uccello, Daniel ; Beck, Elizabeth M ; Garst-Orozco, Jonathan ; Lotarski, Susan ; Helal, Chris ; Kozak, Rouba ; Steppan, Claire ; Rossi, Amie ; Starr, Jeremy ; O'Connor, Rebecca ; Steyn, Stefanus J ; McAllister, Laura A ; Edgerton, Jeremy ; Mente, Scot ; Brown, Matthew ; Grimwood, Sarah ; Kramer, Melissa

Selective activation of the M₄ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype offers a novel strategy for the treatment of psychosis in multiple neurological disorders. Although the development of traditional muscarinic activators has been stymied due to pan-receptor activation, muscarinic receptor subtype selectivity can be achieved through the utilization of a subtype of a unique allosteric site. A major challenge in capitalizing on this allosteric site to date has been achieving a balance of suitable potency and brain penetration. Herein, we describe the design of a brain penetrant series of M₄ selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), ultimately culminating in the identification of 21 (PF-06852231, now CVL-231/emraclidine), which is under active clinical development as a novel mechanism and approach for the treatment of schizophrenia.

01 Apr 2024·International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology

Understanding the Therapeutic Action of Antipsychotics: From Molecular to Cellular Targets With Focus on the Islands of Calleja

Review

Author: Gass, Peter ; Direktor, Merve ; Inta, Dragos

AbstractThe understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia as well as the mechanisms of action of antipsychotic drugs remains a challenge for psychiatry. The demonstration of the therapeutic efficacy of several new atypical drugs targeting multiple different receptors, apart from the classical dopamine D2 receptor as initially postulated unique antipsychotic target, complicated even more conceptualization efforts. Here we discuss results suggesting a main role of the islands of Calleja, still poorly studied GABAergic granule cell clusters in the ventral striatum, as cellular targets of several innovative atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, cariprazine, and xanomeline/emraclidine) effective in treating also negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We will emphasize the potential role of dopamine D3 and M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expressed at the highest level by the islands of Calleja, as well as their involvement in schizophrenia-associated neurocircuitries. Finally, we will discuss the implications of new data showing ongoing adult neurogenesis of the islands of Calleja as a very promising antipsychotic target linking long-life neurodevelopment and dopaminergic dysfunction in the striatum.

News (Medical) associated with Emraclidine

30 Oct 2024

·www.prnewswire.com

AbbVie Reports Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Reports Third-Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.88 on a GAAP Basis, a Decrease of 12.0 Percent; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.00, an Increase of 1.7 Percent; These Results Include an Unfavorable Impact of $0.04 Per Share Related to Acquired IPR&D and Milestones Expense Delivers Third-Quarter Net Revenues of $14.460 Billion, an Increase of 3.8 Percent on a Reported Basis or 4.9 Percent on an Operational Basis Third-Quarter Global Net Revenues from the Immunology Portfolio Were $7.046 Billion, an Increase of 3.9 Percent on a Reported Basis, or 4.8 Percent on an Operational Basis; Global Humira Net Revenues Were $2.227 Billion; Global Skyrizi Net Revenues Were $3.205 Billion; Global Rinvoq Net Revenues Were $1.614 Billion Third-Quarter Global Net Revenues from the Oncology Portfolio Were $1.687 Billion, an Increase of 11.6 Percent on a Reported Basis, or 13.0 Percent on an Operational Basis; Global Imbruvica Net Revenues Were $828 Million; Global Venclexta Net Revenues Were $677 Million Third-Quarter Global Net Revenues from the Neuroscience Portfolio Were $2.363 Billion, an Increase of 15.6 Percent on a Reported Basis, or 16.0 Percent on an Operational Basis; Global Botox Therapeutic Net Revenues Were $848 Million; Global Vraylar Net Revenues Were $875 Million; Combined Global Ubrelvy and Qulipta Net Revenues Were $445 Million Third-Quarter Global Net Revenues from the Aesthetics Portfolio Were $1.239 Billion, a Decrease of 0.1 Percent on a Reported Basis, or an Increase of 1.8 Percent on an Operational Basis; Global Botox Cosmetic Net Revenues Were $671 Million; Global Juvederm Net Revenues Were $258 Million Successfully Completed Acquisition of Cerevel, Adding Pipeline of Highly Complementary Assets to AbbVie's Existing Neuroscience Portfolio Raises 2024 Adjusted Diluted EPS Guidance Range from $10.67 - $10.87 to $10.90 - $10.94, which Includes an Unfavorable Impact of $0.64 Per Share Related to Acquired IPR&D and Milestones Expense Incurred Year-To-Date Through the Third Quarter 2024 Announces 2025 Dividend Increase of 5.8 Percent, Beginning with Dividend Payable in February 2025 NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. "We delivered another quarter of strong commercial execution and significant pipeline progress," said Robert A. Michael, chief executive officer, AbbVie. "Based upon the momentum of AbbVie's business and our confidence in the long-term growth outlook, we are once again raising our full-year guidance and are increasing our quarterly dividend." Third -Quarter Results Worldwide net revenues were $14.460 billion, an increase of 3.8 percent on a reported basis, or 4.9 percent on an operational basis. Global net revenues from the immunology portfolio were $7.046 billion, an increase of 3.9 percent on a reported basis, or 4.8 percent on an operational basis. Global Humira net revenues of $2.227 billion decreased 37.2 percent on a reported basis, or 36.5 percent on an operational basis. U.S. Humira net revenues were $1.765 billion, a decrease of 41.6 percent. Internationally, Humira net revenues were $462 million, a decrease of 12.4 percent on a reported basis, or 7.8 percent on an operational basis. Global Skyrizi net revenues were $3.205 billion, an increase of 50.8 percent on a reported basis, or 51.5 percent on an operational basis. Global Rinvoq net revenues were $1.614 billion, an increase of 45.3 percent on a reported basis, or 47.4 percent on an operational basis. Global net revenues from the oncology portfolio were $1.687 billion, an increase of 11.6 percent on a reported basis, or 13.0 percent on an operational basis. Global Imbruvica net revenues were $828 million, a decrease of 8.8 percent, with U.S. net revenues of $618 million and international profit sharing of $210 million. Global Venclexta net revenues were $677 million, an increase of 14.8 percent on a reported basis, or 18.2 percent on an operational basis. Global Elahere net revenues were $139 million. Global net revenues from the neuroscience portfolio were $2.363 billion, an increase of 15.6 percent on a reported basis, or 16.0 percent on an operational basis. Global Botox Therapeutic net revenues were $848 million, an increase of 13.4 percent on a reported basis, or 14.4 percent on an operational basis. Global Vraylar net revenues were $875 million, an increase of 16.6 percent. Global Ubrelvy net revenues were $269 million, an increase of 15.3 percent. Global Qulipta net revenues were $176 million, an increase of 33.6 percent. Global net revenues from the aesthetics portfolio were $1.239 billion, a decrease of 0.1 percent on a reported basis, or an increase of 1.8 percent on an operational basis. Global Botox Cosmetic net revenues were $671 million, an increase of 8.2 percent on a reported basis, or 9.9 percent on an operational basis. Global Juvederm net revenues were $258 million, a decrease of 19.7 percent on a reported basis, or 16.9 percent on an operational basis. On a GAAP basis, the gross margin ratio in the third quarter was 70.9 percent. The adjusted gross margin ratio was 84.4 percent. On a GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense was 29.1 percent of net revenues. The adjusted SG&A expense was 23.0 percent of net revenues. On a GAAP basis, research and development (R&D) expense was 14.7 percent of net revenues. The adjusted R&D expense was 14.2 percent of net revenues. Acquired IPR&D and milestones expense was 0.6 percent of net revenues. On a GAAP basis, the operating margin in the third quarter was 26.5 percent. The adjusted operating margin was 46.7 percent. Net interest expense was $591 million. On a GAAP basis, the tax rate in the quarter was 25.0 percent. The adjusted tax rate was 16.2 percent. Diluted EPS in the third quarter was $0.88 on a GAAP basis. Adjusted diluted EPS, excluding specified items, was $3.00. These results include an unfavorable impact of $0.04 per share related to acquired IPR&D and milestones expense. Note: "Operational" comparisons are presented at constant currency rates that reflect comparative local currency net revenues at the prior year's foreign exchange rates. Recent Events AbbVie announced that it completed its acquisition of Cerevel, adding a pipeline of highly complementary assets to AbbVie's existing neuroscience portfolio. Cerevel's pipeline includes emraclidine, a potential best-in-class, next-generation antipsychotic, that is being studied for the treatment of schizophrenia; tavapadon, a first-in-class dopamine D1/D5 selective partial agonist for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD); as well as CVL-354, a potential best-in-class kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist being studied for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Cerevel is a strong strategic fit for AbbVie and has potential to meaningfully impact revenue into the next decade. AbbVie announced positive topline results from its pivotal Phase 3 TEMPO-1 trial evaluating tavapadon as a fixed-dose monotherapy treatment in early PD. In the study, tavapadon met the primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement from baseline in the Movement Disorder Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts II and III combined score at week 26. Tavapadon also met the key secondary endpoint, demonstrating statistically significant improvement from baseline in the MDS-UPDRS Part II score. Full results from the TEMPO-1 study will be submitted for presentation at future medical meetings and used to support regulatory submissions of tavapadon as a treatment for PD. Topline results from TEMPO-2, the Phase 3 flexible-dose monotherapy trial for tavapadon, are expected by the end of 2024. AbbVie announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vyalev (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) as the first subcutaneous 24-hour infusion of levodopa-based therapy for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced PD. The approval was supported by results from a pivotal Phase 3 head-to-head, randomized and controlled clinical trial that demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in "on" time without troublesome dyskinesia and decreased "off" time, compared to oral immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa (CD/LD). AbbVie and Aliada Therapeutics announced a definitive agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Aliada, a biotechnology company advancing therapies using a novel blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing technology to address challenging central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Aliada's lead investigational asset utilizing this delivery technology, ALIA-1758, is an anti-pyroglutamate amyloid beta (3pE-Aβ) antibody in development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The acquisition also allows AbbVie to utilize Aliada's novel BBB-crossing technology to enhance discovery and development efforts across neuroscience. AbbVie and Gedeon Richter announced a new discovery, co-development and license agreement to advance novel targets for the potential treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. This collaboration expands upon the success of nearly two decades of partnership on CNS projects. AbbVie announced the European Commission (EC) approved Skyrizi (risankizumab) for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or were intolerant to conventional or biologic therapy. The approval was supported by data from two pivotal Phase 3 trials in which Skyrizi achieved the primary endpoint of clinical remission as well as key secondary endpoints. This marketing authorization for Skyrizi marks its fourth approved indication in the European Union (EU). Skyrizi is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading development and commercialization globally. At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (EADV) Congress 2024, AbbVie shared more than 30 presentations that showcased the depth and strength of AbbVie's dermatology portfolio. Presentations highlighted data for Rinvoq (upadacitinib), Skyrizi and lutikizumab across a multitude of dermatological conditions. AbbVie announced that the EC granted conditional marketing authorization for Tepkinly (epcoritamab) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of prior therapy. Tepkinly is the first subcutaneous bispecific antibody conditionally approved as a monotherapy in the EU to treat both r/r FL and r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), after two or more lines of prior therapy. The EC approval is supported by data from the Phase 1/2 EPCORE NHL-1 clinical trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of Tepkinly in adult patients with r/r FL. Tepkinly is being co-developed by AbbVie and Genmab. AbbVie announced the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the marketing authorization of Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine) for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive, platinum-resistant and high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior treatment regimens. The CHMP's opinion is supported by results of the Phase 3 MIRASOL clinical trial and the EC decision on this indication for Elahere is anticipated later this year. AbbVie announced submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA for accelerated approval (AA) of Teliso-V (telisotuzumab vedotin) in adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with c-Met protein overexpression. The BLA is supported by data from the Phase 2 LUMINOSITY clinical trial and review of the BLA will be conducted under FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program. There are currently no approved anti-cancer therapies specifically for c-Met overexpressing NSCLC and if approved, Teliso-V would be the first-in-class therapy for this patient population. At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024, AbbVie showcased new data from its innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform in tumor types with high unmet needs. Highlights included full data from the primary analysis of the positive, single-arm Phase 2 PICCOLO trial, evaluating Elahere for high FRα expressing platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (PSOC); patient reported outcomes from the Phase 2 LUMINOSITY trial, evaluating Teliso-V in advanced NSCLC; as well as new safety and efficacy data in pre-treated patients with advanced NSCLC and gastroesophageal (GEA) cancer, from a Phase 1 study of ABBV-400 (telisotuzumab adizutecan). Allergan Aesthetics announced the FDA approved Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe vertical bands connecting the jaw and neck (platysma bands) in adults. Botox Cosmetic is the first product with four aesthetic indication areas: forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet lines, and now platysma bands, making it the first product of its kind to go beyond the face. Allergan Aesthetics announced the launch of Botox Cosmetic for the treatment of masseter muscle prominence (MMP) in China. The approval is supported by Botox Cosmetic's well-established safety profile as well as clinical trial data that demonstrated Botox Cosmetic is effective in reducing the prominence of the masseter muscle. Botox Cosmetic is the first neurotoxin approved in China for MMP, the largest global MMP market. Allergan Aesthetics intends to develop Botox Cosmetic treatment for MMP in additional global markets and expand the use of Botox Cosmetic in the lower face. At the American Society for Dermal Surgery (ASDS), Allergan Aesthetics presented a total of 12 abstracts that showcased its commitment to patient outcomes and detailed insights and understanding of key concerns across differentiated patient segments. Highlights included four Best of Cosmetic Abstracts as well as a panel discussion on the impact of social media on patient experience and expectations when considering aesthetic treatment. Full-Year 2024 Outlook AbbVie is raising its adjusted diluted EPS guidance for the full year 2024 from $10.67 - $10.87 to $10.90 - $10.94, which includes an unfavorable impact of $0.64 per share related to acquired IPR&D and milestones expense incurred year-to-date through the third quarter 2024. The company's 2024 adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes any impact from acquired IPR&D and milestones that may be incurred beyond the third quarter of 2024, as both cannot be reliably forecasted. Any potential IPR&D and milestones expense related to the recently announced acquisition of Aliada Therapeutics is also excluded from AbbVie's 2024 adjusted diluted EPS guidance, as the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Company Declares Dividend Increase of 5.8 Percent AbbVie is announcing today that its board of directors declared an increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend from $1.55 per share to $1.64 per share beginning with the dividend payable on February 14, 2025 to shareholders of record as of January 15, 2025. This reflects an increase of approximately 5.8 percent, continuing AbbVie's strong commitment to returning cash to shareholders through a growing dividend. Since the company's inception in 2013, AbbVie has increased its quarterly dividend by 310 percent. AbbVie is a member of the S&P Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience and eye care - and products and services across our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at . Follow @abbvie on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn. Conference Call AbbVie will host an investor conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss our third-quarter performance. The call will be webcast through AbbVie's Investor Relations website at investors.abbvie.com. An archived edition of the call will be available after 11:00 a.m. Central Time. Non-GAAP Financial Results Financial results for 2024 and 2023 are presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Reported results were prepared in accordance with GAAP and include all revenue and expenses recognized during the period. Non-GAAP results adjust for certain non-cash items and for factors that are unusual or unpredictable, and exclude those costs, expenses, and other specified items presented in the reconciliation tables later in this release. AbbVie's management believes non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors regarding AbbVie's results of operations and assist management, analysts, and investors in evaluating the performance of the business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents that AbbVie subsequently files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that update, supplement or supersede such information. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. SOURCE AbbVie WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Clinical ResultDrug ApprovalPhase 3License out/inAcquisition

30 Oct 2024

·www.biospace.com

10 Years of NextGen Honorees: Where Are They Now?

iStock, leolintang BioSpace has been compiling a list of the most innovative and exciting biotechs for a decade. Here we take a look back at noteworthy companies from each of those lists. 2024 marked the 10th year of BioSpace ’s NextGen list, a collection of biotechs that are on the cutting edge and poised to break barriers in the industry. As we prep next year’s list, to be released in January, we decided to take a look back at a notable honoree from each of our past lists. There were many fascinating companies that have gone on to great things; on the other hand, sometimes things don’t go as well as we predicted. We have a few not-so-great stories to tell, too. ___________________________________________ 2024 ReNAgade Therapeutics Status: Bought by Orna Therapeutics This company made our list for a pretty big reason: a massive $300 million series A in one of the toughest financing environments in recent memory. The company was launched in May 2023 to develop RNA medicines to treat diseases anywhere in the body. One of the lead investors in the round was MPM BioImpact, whose managing partner Ansbert Gadicke founded ReNAgade. Early in the biotech’s history as a stealth company, there was a bit of foreshadowing as to where the company would end up. ReNAgade struck up a partnership with Orna Therapeutics, which was also working on RNA therapeutics. The work attracted the attention of Merck in a deal worth up to $3.5 billion with development and commercialization milestones. Given the money on the line, Orna went all in on ReNAgade, buying out the biotech in May of this year—almost a year to the day after its launch. Financial details were not disclosed. See the full class of 2024 . ___________________________________________ 2023 Mariana Oncology Status: Bought by Novartis What a year 2023 turned out to be for Mariana Oncology. After raising a $175 million series B in September of that year, the company was bought out by Novartis for $1 billion , plus $750 million in milestones. Originally known as Curie Therapeutics, Mariana emerged from stealth with a $75 series A raise in December 2021 to develop new radiopharmaceuticals. The company caught our eye and made the 2023 list, but apparently Novartis was keeping an eye too. The radiopharmaceutical-hungry Big Pharma said at the time of the deal that Mariana’s technology would help it double down in the field of radioligand therapeutics. On a recent earnings call, Novartis executives expressed their excitement in the Mariana technology, saying that candidates from the buyout are speeding toward the clinic and could go after well-established antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targets. See the full class of 2023 . ___________________________________________ 2022 Eikon Therapeutics Status: Operating Eikon has spent the two years since landing on our list racking up cash and poaching executives from CEO Rodger Perlmutter’s former employer Merck. The biotech’s raises have been huge in a really tough market: a $148 million series A in May 2021, $518 million for a January 2022 series B and most recently, $106 million in series C financing in June 2023 . At the most recent raise, Eikon also announced the acquisition of a clinical pipeline. The company now boasts oncology assets in Phase I and II testing for non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, respectively. The rest of Eikon’s pipeline is in preclinical research or discovery. See the full class of 2022 . ___________________________________________ 2021 EQRx Status: Bought by Revolution Medicines, assets terminated EQRx emerged with a lofty goal we could all get behind: develop drugs at a lower cost. It raised a cool $200 million in a July 2020 series A, then caught the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) wave to the Nasdaq just over a year later, adding $1.8 billion in an August 2021 IPO. The company was helmed at first by serial biotech entrepreneur Alexis Borisy. Trouble emerged shortly thereafter, with EQRx cutting lead asset sugemalimab for NSCLC after determining it had no path to market. The company shifted to two other assets, aumolertinib and lerociclib, but later dropped the former. Several rounds of layoffs made the company ever smaller before EQRx finally gave up entirely. The assets were terminated as Revolution Medicines bought out the company and its hefty $1 billion bank account. Borisy has since gone on to start a venture capital firm called Curie.Bio . See the full class of 2021 . ___________________________________________ 2020 Cerevel Therapeutics Status: Bought by AbbVie Cerevel as a company is no more, but its medicines live on at AbbVie, which bought the biotech for $8.7 billion in December 2023. The deal was part of a trend of neuroscience-focused biotechs being bought up by Big Pharma, with Cerevel moving in the same month as Bristol Myers Squibb bought Karuna Therapeutics for $14 billion. BMS was rewarded quickly with a recent FDA approval for KarXT (now Cobenfy) for schizophrenia, but AbbVie too has had success since sealing the deal. Cerevel’s investigational Parkinson’s disease therapy tavapadon improved control of motor symptoms when used with common treatment levodopa in a Phase III trial that read out in April. The data would support a regulatory filing for the therapy, executives said at the time. Two additional late-stage readouts for the therapy are due later this year. But the real star of the deal was emraclidine, which is in Phase III studies for schizophrenia. Cerevel also brought a major depression treatment to the table. “These assets clearly will be great additions to our neuroscience franchise,” said AbbVie’s CEO Rob Michael on the company’s second quarter earnings call. See the full class of 2020 . ___________________________________________ 2019 Genevant Status: Operating One of Roivant’s offshoots, Genevant is still operating today, working on developing nucleic acid delivery technology. Just last week, Genevant signed a deal with CRISPR gene editing company Editas Medicines to develop in vivo gene editing medicines for two undisclosed targets. Genevant has also recently signed deals with Novo Nordisk, Tome Biosciences, Gritstone bio and Repair Biotechnologies. But perhaps the most compelling story from Genevant since we named them to our NextGen list has been their litigation with famed biotech Moderna over the lipid nanoparticle delivery system used for its approved COVID-19 vaccine. Genevant and Arbutus Biopharma filed several patent infringement claims against Moderna arguing that the vaccine developer used their technology without license or proper compensation. A judge sided with Arbutus and Genevant in April, with a trial set for next year. See the full class of 2019 . ___________________________________________ 2018 BlueRock Therapeutics Status: Bought by Bayer Bayer bought cell therapy biotech BlueRock Therapeutics in August 2019 for $1 billion, but rather than absorbing the company into itself, the German pharma kept the name and unit operating. This unusual but refreshing strategy means that the company essentially lives on. In June 2023, BlueRock reported that Parkinson’s disease stem cell therapy bemdaneprocel was well tolerated with no significant side effects in a Phase I trial with 12 patients. It was the first cell therapy to show positive results in human testing, Bayer said at the time. A September update showed similar safety results. The therapy has since received a regenerative medicine advanced therapy tag from the FDA. Elsewhere in the pipeline, BlueRock’s investigational iPSC-derived cell therapy OpCT-001 for certain retinal disorders was cleared for human testing in September. The therapy was licensed from FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and Opsis Therapeutics. See the full class of 2018 . ___________________________________________ 2017 Decibel Therapeutics Status: Bought by Regeneron Regeneron made a splash at this year’s American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy meeting in Baltimore when it showcased results of a Phase I/II trial of hearing loss therapy DB-OTO. The therapy restored hearing in two children who had a genetic form of hearing loss. While Regeneron’s branding was behind the conference presentation, the gene therapy came from Decibel Therapeutics. Regeneron bought the biotech for $109 million in August 2023, at which point the two companies had already been working together for six years. The biotech was integrated into Regeneron’s genetic medicines portfolio. See the full class of 2017 . ___________________________________________ 2016 CRISPR Therapeutics Status: Operating CRISPR Therapeutics made history last year as the first company, along with partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals, to gain an FDA approval for a CRISPR-based gene edited therapy. The companies were granted an FDA greenlight for Casgevy in sickle cell disease. The same day, bluebird bio got a similar nod for a competing gene therapy, though not one that involves CRISPR technology. The FDA approval was a triumph of modern biotechnology. But the roll out has been slow given the nature of gene therapy treatment, and only recently have patients begun receiving infusions of the medicine. Casgevy is now also approved for beta thalassemia, another blood disorder. The company has turned to the rest of its pipeline, including a CD19-directed CAR T cell program called CTX112, which is being tested in both cancer and autoimmune disorders. CTX131 is in development for hematological malignancies as well. CEO Sam Kulkarni has expressed confidence in CRISPR’s leading position in gene editing and pledged to be on top of emerging technologies. “One of the most important considerations for us is that we don’t get disrupted,” he said at the Goldman Sachs healthcare conference in June. “We are the leaders in the gene editing space and we have been, but we want to make sure that we’re looking at every improvement that’s coming out there.” See the full class of 2016 . ___________________________________________ 2015 Spark Therapeutics Status: Bought by Roche Like BlueRock, Spark Therapeutics was folded into a Big Pharma but kept its identity. Spark earned a spot on our very first NextGen list in 2015 thanks to its active clinical hemophilia program and fundraises totaling $122.8 million. The company caught the eye of Roche, which swooped in with a $4.8 billion bid in February 2019. The deal eventually turned into a bit of a boondoggle, with regulatory delays slowing things down until it finally closed that December. At issue was Roche’s hemophilia Hemlibra. Regulators worried that Spark’s hemophilia program and Hemlibra together could stifle competition and create a monopoly. Spark brought with it the approved eye disease gene therapy Luxturna. With the deal closed, Spark has charged forward under the Roche banner. The unit is developing a 500,000-square foot Gene Therapy Innovation Center in Philadelphia as its flagship manufacturing space. See the full class of 2015 .

Phase 1AcquisitionPhase 3Drug Approval

27 Sep 2024

·www.biopharmadive.com

J&J builds case for Talvey; FDA panel questions PD-1 drugs for certain cancers

Today, a brief rundown of news from J&J and the FDA, as well as updates from Sage Therapeutics, Roche and Enanta Pharmaceuticals that you may have missed.New data from two trials testing Johnson & Johnsons multiple myeloma drug Talvey could help the company make the case for its use in combination with other medicines. The results were presented at this years annual meeting of the International Myeloma Society. In one Phase 1b study, Talvey together with J&Js Darzalex curbed myeloma growth in 82% of patients with relapsed or refractory disease. In the other, Talvey and J&Js other new myeloma drug Tecvayli led to complete responses in more than half of myeloma patients given the target dose. Ned PagliaruloData dont support use of cancer immunotherapy in certain approved uses for digestive tract cancers, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted Thursday. In gastric cancer and squamous cell esophageal cancer, Merck & Co.s Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibbs Opdivo are approved to treat patients regardless of levels of a protein called PD-L1, while BeiGene has sought approval of Tevimbra in the same setting. The FDA said PD-L1 expression appears to predict whether people with the two cancers will respond, but clinical trials havent used the same tests and relied on different thresholds to determine whether people are positive. Asked whether data backed the use of the drugs in people with low PD-L1 levels, the committee, made up of outside advisers to the FDA, voted 10-2 against in the case of gastric cancer and 11-1 againstesophageal cancer. Jonathan GardnerAbbVies acquisition last year of Cerevel Therapeutics may turn out better than expected. While AbbVie bought Cerevel for an antipyschotic called emraclidine, new study results strengthen the evidence behind an experimental Parkinsons disease medicine known as tavapadon. The data, released Thursday, show tavapadon helped improve patient scores on a symptom rating scale in a second Phase 3 study, five months after the success of the first surprised analysts on Wall Street. More results are due from a third trial by the end of this year. Ned PagliaruloRoche on Thursday said that Gazyva, a medicine it sells for lymphoma, succeeded in a Phase 3 study in a form of lupus that affects the kidneys. Roche didnt provide details, but said a higher proportion of people with lupus nephritis who received Gazyva and standard therapy as opposed to typical drugs alone had a complete renal response, which is associated with the preservation of kidney function, after 76 weeks. Two secondary study goals correlated with disease control were also met, while some others werent. The drug is one of several Roche is testing against lupus, among them a pair of so-called T-cell engagers, which have become popular tools in immune drug research. Ben FidlerBiogen is terminating an agreement with Sage Therapeutics to license rights to an experimental drug for essential tremor, two months after the companies reported it failed a mid-stage study. In that study, none of the three tested drug doses outperformed placebo after three months of testing. The companies continue to work together on Zurzuvae, a medicine for postpartum depression that won U.S. approval last summer. Ned PagliaruloBiotechnology company Enanta Pharmaceuticals said treatment with its experimental drug for respiratory syncytial virus showed a rapid and sustained antiviral effect in a human challenge study. Dubbed EDP-323, Enantas candidate is whats known as an L-protein inhibitor. The company is developing it as a once-daily oral treatment for RSV, which can cause severe disease in infants and older adults. According to Enanta, adverse events were similar between EDP-323 and placebo. Delilah Alvarado '

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Indication	Highest Phase	Country/Location	Organization	Date
Psychotic Disorders	Phase 2	HU	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Psychotic Disorders	Phase 2	BG	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Psychotic Disorders	Phase 2	US	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Schizophrenia	Phase 2	US	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Schizophrenia	Phase 2	HU	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Schizophrenia	Phase 2	BG	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jun 2022
Alzheimer Disease	Phase 2	US	Cerevel Therapeutics LLC	30 Jan 2022

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