Roche Agrees To Buy Good Therapeutics

European News

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.

Europe Plans Further Antibiotic Shortage Countermeasures

Following the increase in respiratory infections, the continuing cost of living crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe is planning countermeasures for further antibiotic shortages

AstraZeneca Moves Manufacturing To Ireland Due To Britain’s Tax Regime

AstraZeneca has announced plans to open a new facility in Ireland, previously planned for northwest England

Genoscience Pharma Received Orphan Drug Designation For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Drug

Genoscience Pharma has received FDA ODD for its hepatocellular carcinoma drug

European Commission Approves Dupixent® As The First And Only Targeted Medicine For Prurigo Nodularis

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi have announced that the European Commission (EC) has expanded the marketing authorisation for Dupixent® (dupilumab) in the European Union to treat adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis who are candidates for systemic therapy.

ServBlock Secures EU Funding For Pharma Manufacturing Data Space

ServBlock, an Irish start-up, and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), have been given EU funding to build a data exchange system for outsourced pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Europe Plans Further Antibiotic Shortage Countermeasures

AstraZeneca Moves Manufacturing To Ireland Due To Britain’s Tax Regime

Genoscience Pharma Received Orphan Drug Designation For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Drug

European Commission Approves Dupixent® As The First And Only Targeted Medicine For Prurigo Nodularis

ServBlock Secures EU Funding For Pharma Manufacturing Data Space

Pharmafocus

Categories

Social Footprints