Jesper J. Lange’s Post

Kidney Awareness Month during March is a particularly meaningful time for us here at Memo Therapeutics, given the many challenges facing Chronic Kidney Disease (#CKD) patients, especially those needing kidney transplantation. With approximately 500,000 people requiring end stage renal disease dialysis support and 100,000 people waiting for kidney transplants in the US alone, early diagnosis and pre-emptive treatment could save thousands of patients’ lives and preserve the quality of life for many others. At Memo Therapeutics, we have used our innovative antibody discovery platform to develop a monoclonal antibody, now in Phase II clinical development, to target BK virus: a major contributor to post-transplantation complications and ultimately graft loss. Read more about our program here:  https://lnkd.in/en6ZhHbV #KidneyAwarenessMonth #KidneyHealth #TransplantsforAll #MemoTherapeutics #MTx #Biotech #AntibodyDiscovery #InfectiousDiseases #DrugDiscovery  

Congratulations to the Synthekine and Sanofi teams for partnering to develop the next generation of IL-10 therapeutics, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. IL-10 is a key immune-regulatory cytokine. Previous generation IL-10 therapies were limited by off-target dose-limiting toxicities. The next-generation of IL-10 therapeutics are designed to break the efficacy ceiling by uncoupling the desirable immunosuppressive activity from the toxic dose-limiting immunostimulatory effects. Now, on to chasing the miracles of science! #Immunology 

Today, on #DayofImmunology, we want to celebrate the remarkable medical advancements in the field of immunology. 2023 marked a significant milestone for #complementtherapeutics, as the FDA has given the green light to four groundbreaking complement inhibitors to tackle various diseases. Three of these innovative inhibitors are designed to target the Complement C5 protein, while one is a pioneering oral inhibitor of Factor B. A comprehensive mini-review of all novel drugs authorized in 2023 by the FDA, EMA, and MHRA has been recently published. The first-in-class oral inhibitor of complement Factor B is included in the list. This Factor B inhibitor has been shown to lower and sustain a reduction in alternative pathway activity, as assessed by our Wieslab Functional kits. Additionally, it has also been shown to lower proteinuria and protein-to-creatinine radio in a pivotal clinical trial (NCT03373461). We are committed to advancing the field of immunology and supporting the development of complement-targeting therapies to improve patient outcomes. We look forward to seeing more therapeutics approved in the future. Read the original mini-review here: https://hubs.ly/Q02v82Fc0 #ComplementingLifeScience #AnswersinLifeScience #SvarLifeScience #ComplementResearch #ComplementBiology

[Clinical Trials] NeuroSense Therapeutics reports phase 2b trial results of PrimeC in ALS indicating reduced risk of disease complications and slower progression https://lnkd.in/gntGVcH8 CymaBay Therapeutics' phase 3 trial of seladelpar yields significant efficacy in primary biliary cholangitis endpoints https://lnkd.in/gu_sAxbc SynAct Pharma reports phase 2b trial of AP1189 reveals efficacy endpoints met in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with elevated baseline CRP https://lnkd.in/g4KMythz [Deals] Immunocore Holdings and 브리스톨마이어스스큅 Collaborate on phase 3 Clinical Trial for IMC-F106C in Cutaneous Melanoma Treatment https://lnkd.in/gUchXuzB

Viridian Therapeutics announced positive topline data from its phase 3 THRIVE clinical trial (NCT05176639) of veligrotug, previously known as VRDN-001, in patients with active thyroid eye disease (TED). Results showed that patients who received veligrotug, an intravenously delivered anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) antibody, had “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across [multiple] key disease endpoints at the primary efficacy analysis timepoint of 15 weeks.” Furthermore, THRIVE met both the primary and all secondary endpoints at 15 weeks after 5 infusions of veligrotug. Additionally, veligrotug showed a rapid onset of action, with the majority (53%) of veligrotug-treated patients achieving a proptosis response after just 1 infusion, or 3 weeks after the start of therapy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6j5AZih

Is another BCG manufacturer on the horizon?  BCG has eternally been on shortage ever since Sanofi pulled out of the market, causing clinicians to experiment with alternative therapies or different dosing schedules.  However, it appears as though Immunitybio may be attempting to enter the market.  The reason for this, it appears, is because its FDA-approved IL-15 receptor agonist, nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln, must be used in combination with BCG, and has a strict dosing schedule.  As a result, any shortage in BCG would deter clinicians from using this agent in clinical practice.  It's unfortunate that it took another drug being approved in combination with BCG to get another company involved in BCG manufacturing, but at least we may no longer have to endure BCG shortages. #bladdercancer #bcg https://lnkd.in/eCJDZwGy

Launching with a promising breakthrough for Epstein Barr virus (EBV) therapeutics! We are excited to launch Hornet Therapeutics today with new data published in Science Magazine journal identifying key host enzyme IDO-1 for EBV-driven diseases. Decades of conventional antiviral development have failed to deliver a small molecule compound capable of effectively and specifically targeting EBV. EBV is a major driver of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLDs) and responsible for a significant proportion of organ loss in solid organ transplant patients, as well as a widely suspected driver of multiple sclerosis. We are looking forward to progressing into proof-of-concept trials for solid organ transplant populations. To read the publication: https://lnkd.in/gtGHPXgs Follow this link to the press release: https://lnkd.in/eChcme7k #emergingfromstealth #biootech #genetherapy #Epstein-barr-virus #innvoation #4BIO #launch

Eli Lilly Completes Acquisition of Morphic Eli Lilly and Company has completed its acquisition of Morphic Medical, is a #biopharmaceutical company developing oral integrin therapies for treatment of serious chronic diseases. The $3.2 billion deal was initially agreed upon by the companies in July 2024. Morphic's lead program is a selective oral small molecule inhibitor of α4β7 integrin for the treatment of inflammatory bowel #disease (IBD) that has the potential to improve outcomes and expand treatment options for patients. This molecule (known as MORF-057) is being evaluated in two Phase 2 studies in ulcerative colitis and one Phase 2 study in Crohn's disease. Additionally, Morphic is developing a preclinical pipeline of other molecules for the treatment of #autoimmune diseases, pulmonary hypertensive diseases, #fibrotic diseases and #cancer. Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/eZcMgpyP

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition with only one FDA approved treatment currently available. Longitude portfolio company Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. aims to bring new treatment options to people affected by TED through the development of potential best-in-class monoclonal antibody therapies. IGF-1R, a transmembrane receptor that plays a role in development, metabolism, and immune regulation, is a clinically and commercially validated target for the treatment of #TED. Based on work in the field, IGF-1R and the co-located thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) have been found to play a key role in the pathogenesis of TED. Read more about the company's TED clinical development program: https://lnkd.in/efYxbSBp #autoimmunediseases

I will present this webinar tomorrow along with Dr. Michelle Becker, pharmacist specialized in IBD medication management. We have a lot of insights to offer. Join us online to learn more!