ER-100

Ascendis dwarfism combo boosts arm, spine metricsAgeing-focused biotech raises $80MLower Gardasil demand forces Merck & Co., Zhifei to adjust dealSoleno withdraws EU filing for Prader-Willi drugAscendis dwarfism combo boosts arm, spine metricsAscendis Pharma reported new 52-week data from its Phase II COACH trial showing that combining TransCon CNP (navepegritide) with a growth hormone delivers benefits in children with achondroplasia that extend beyond linear growth.The once-weekly combination of TransCon CNP with TransCon hGH (lonapegsomatropin) improved arm span and spinal canal dimensions, building on previously reported gains in annualised growth velocity, without new safety concerns or accelerated bone age.Among children who had never received TransCon CNP before, mean change from baseline in ACH-specific arm span Z-scores was +1.02, and for those already on TransCon CNP, it was +0.66. The treatment-naïve cohort saw a +9.4 cm improvement, while those already on TransCon CNP gained +7.9 cm. Ascendis noted that limb lengthening surgery, which comes with a high risk of complications, typically achieves only about 8 cm of humeral gain per arm.Earlier this week, Ascendis announced the US launch of TransCon CNP, marketed as Yuviwel since its approval in February, to increase linear growth in children 2 years of age and older with achondroplasia with open epiphyses.-Anna BratulicAgeing-focused biotech raises $80MLife Biosciences has closed an $80-million series D, following an $82 million C round in 2022 and a $50-million series B in 2019. The Boston-based company said the new proceeds will fund operations into the second half of 2027, advance lead candidate ER-100, and expand its broader Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER) platform.The injection of capital will primarily support a Phase I trial of ER-100 in patients with optic nerve conditions, including open-angle glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. The study, which got under way last month, is designed to assess safety and tolerability of the epigenetic therapy, and will also evaluate early signs of efficacy, with endpoints tied to visual function.Life Bio's PER platform aims to partially reprogramme the epigenome of aged or injured cells to a more youthful state via the expression of three transcription factors — OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4. By addressing what it sees as a root cause of ageing at the epigenetic level, the company believes the approach could extend beyond ophthalmology into a range of age-related conditions across organs and systems.-Anna BratulicLower Gardasil demand forces Merck & Co., Zhifei to adjust dealMerck & Co. amended its agreement with Zhifei Biological Products due to continued lower sales of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil 9 in China. The new deal does away with a basic purchase amount for the shot, as well as for Merck's rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq and pneumococcal jab Pneumovax 23. Instead, the companies will negotiate and confirm the expected purchase amount based on "anticipated market demand and actual vaccination status." Zhifei — which distributes the vaccines in China — will then make rolling purchases of the products accordingly.According to Zhifei, it purchased RMB 348 million ($50.9 million) and RMB 264 million ($38.7 million) worth of the three vaccines in 2023 and 2024, respectively, which fell to RMB 22 million ($3.2 million) last year. The new agreement will run until the end of 2028.-Matthew DennisSoleno withdraws EU filing for Prader-Willi drugAhead of its $2.9-billion takeout by Neurocrine Biosciences, Soleno Therapeutics has withdrawn an application under review with the EMA seeking marketing authorisation for Viokat prolonged-release tablets (diazoxide choline).Approved by the FDA last year as Vykat XR to treat hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder marked by chronic life-threatening hunger, the drug was the centrepiece of Neurocrine's acquisition this week of Soleno (see – Spotlight On: Neurocrine's side-door entry into obesity — three takeaways).  In a securities filing, Soleno said the decision was "based on business and strategic considerations," and "preserves the Company’s ability to re-engage with regulators at a later date should there be an appropriate pathway to progress the programme."According to a report from Reuters, Neurocrine CEO Kyle ​Gano has said the company ​has no plans to launch the drug in Europe as ‌it's ⁠focused on the US market.-Elizabeth Eaton

Funding to support the Phase 1 clinical trial of ER-100 in optic neuropathies and further investigation of new candidates from the company’s Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming platform BOSTON, April 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Life Biosciences, Inc., (“Life Bio”) a biotechnology company pioneering cellular rejuvenation therapies to reverse and prevent multiple diseases of aging, today announced the close of a fully-subscribed $80 million financing. The proceeds will support the company’s operations into the second half of 2027, including the completion of its recently initiated Phase 1 clinical trial of ER-100 and the continued advancement of its broader Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER) platform across multiple therapeutic indications. “We are encouraged by the strong participation in this financing, which reflects the growing interest in our platform and the opportunity we have to reverse multiple diseases of aging,” said Jerry McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer, Life Biosciences. “This support enables us to advance our lead program, ER-100, through key clinical milestones while continuing the expansion of our pipeline, positioning Life Bio to deliver disease-modifying solutions for patients.” Aging is the biggest risk factor for most chronic diseases, with approximately 76% of those over 65 years of age estimated to have at least one chronic illness. Life Bio’s PER platform is designed to partially reprogram the epigenome of aged and injured cells to a younger and healthier state via expression of three transcription factors [OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 (OSK)]. By targeting a root cause of aging at the epigenetic level, this approach offers the potential to address a wide range of age-related diseases across organs and systems. Life Bio’s Phase 1 clinical trial ( NCT07290244 ) will assess the safety and tolerability of ER-100 in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The trial will also evaluate efficacy measures, including multiple assessments of visual function. Optic neuropathies, such as OAG and NAION, are characterized by damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the primary neurons connecting the eye to the brain. Because RGCs cannot naturally regenerate, their damage results in permanent vision impairment. Current standards of care fail to address the underlying neuronal degeneration, leaving a significant unmet medical need for disease-modifying therapies that can directly protect or regenerate RGCs to preserve or restore sight. About Life Biosciences Life Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering cellular rejuvenation therapies to reverse and prevent multiple diseases of aging. The company’s proprietary Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER) platform utilizes three transcription factors—OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 (OSK)—to restore older and damaged cells to a younger and healthier state. This innovative approach targets a root cause of aging at the epigenetic level, thereby offering the potential to address a wide range of serious age-related diseases. Life Bio’s lead program, ER-100, is in development for optic neuropathies, including open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), with a Phase 1 clinical trial initiated in the first quarter of 2026 for both indications. Beyond ER-100, the company is strategically broadening its therapeutic pipeline to address additional age-related diseases, underscoring the platform’s versatility and transformative potential. For more information, visit or follow Life Bio on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn. Media Contact Madelin Hawtin LifeSci Communications lifebio@lifescicomms.com