Roche Agrees To Buy Good Therapeutics

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Roche agrees to buy Good Therapeutics

Good's IL-2 receptor plays an important role in regulating lymphocytes

The Swiss pharma group has agreed to buy Seattle-based biotech Good Therapeutics and its preclinical-stage PD-1 regulated IL-2 receptor agonist programme for $250 million upfront, with undisclosed milestone payments on offer tied to development, regulatory, and commercial objectives.

Roche’s activity in this area is represented by RG6279, an anti-PD01 antibody fused to an engineered, variant form of IL-2, which is currently in Phase I clinical testing. These drugs are designed to eliminate tumours by stimulating a local immune response with IL-2 via natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells, and removing a brake on the immune system by blocking PD-1. Good’s lead drug is due to start clinical testing next year.

IL-2 is one of the key cytokines with pleiotropic effects on the immune system. It has been approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. Recent progress has been made in understanding IL-2’s role in regulating lymphocytes, which has led to exciting new directions for cancer immunotherapy.

A recombinant form of IL-2 has been used as a therapeutic for melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for many years, under the Proleukin (aldesleukin) name. This has led many developers to find drugs that can retain the cancerfighting properties of the cytokine but avoid its toxicity, which is mediated through the IL-2 alpha receptor – according to Pharma Phorum.

CHMP grants positive opinion to ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir for HIV prevention

GSK has announced that ViiV healthcare has received a positive opinion from the EMA's CHMP, recommending marketing authorisation for cabotegravir long-acting (LA) injectable and tablets for HIV prevention.

European Parliament shares goal to tackle antimicrobial resistance

The European Parliament has shared its recommendations for a ‘coordinated EU response to health threats posed by antimicrobial resistance,’ according to its press release.

European Commission delays release of major changes to pharma legislation

The European Commission (EC) has again delayed the release of its new proposal for changes to Europe’s pharma legislation. The decision was previously expected on 29 March 2023, but has been announced to be “slightly later”.

AstraZeneca’s NMOSD treatment recommended marketing

Pharma giant AstraZeneca has been given a recommendation by the EU's Committee for Medicinal Products (CHMP) for marketing authorisation for ultomiris (ravulizumab), a treatment for adult patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMSOD) who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive (ab+).

AbbVie gains positive CHMP opinion for upadacitinib for the treatment of Crohn’s disease

AbbVie has announced that it has received positive feedback from the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommending the approval of upadacitinib (rinvoq) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to conventional therapies or biologic agents.

CHMP grants positive opinion to ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir for HIV prevention

European Parliament shares goal to tackle antimicrobial resistance

European Commission delays release of major changes to pharma legislation

AstraZeneca’s NMOSD treatment recommended marketing

AbbVie gains positive CHMP opinion for upadacitinib for the treatment of Crohn’s disease

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