Shanghai CARsgen Therapeutics has started enrolling patients in a US Phase II trial of CT041, a CAR-T candidate, in patients with CLDN18.2 positive advanced gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ). CT041 is an autologous CLDN18.2 CAR T-cell candidate that, CARsgen believes, could be the first-in-class globally. CARsgen’s lead drug, a BCMA CAR-T-Cell therapy, is currently under NDA review in China for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The company develops CAR-T therapies for hematological and solid tumor cancers in China and the US. More details....

Stock Symbol: (HK: 2171)

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Beijing CANbridge Pharma reported positive data from its second-gen gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy in preclinical tests. In a mouse model of SMA, a novel second-gen hSMN1-AAV gene therapy vector improved life span and motor function better than the benchmark vector, The therapy was delivered via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, consisting of an endogenous SMN1 promoter and codon-optimized human SMN1 transgene. CANbridge, which developed the novel therapy together with UMass Chan Medical School, develops rare disease and rare oncology therapies. More details....

Stock Symbol: (HK: 1228)

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Chengdu’s Keymed Biosciences partnered with Shanghai Rona Therapeutics to discover first-in-class siRNA therapeutics for severe kidney diseases, also known as Glomerulonephritis. Rona will use its proprietary RAZOR™ platform to discover and identify siRNA lead compounds aimed at a novel glomerulonephritis target, and Keymed will contribute biologic research and translational expertise. The collaboration will build on Rona's proprietary platform for RNAi targeting of liver and extrahepatic tissues. The two companies have signed a profit/loss agreement to develop and commercialize candidates from the collaboration, though details were not disclosed. More details....

Stock Symbol: (HK: 02162)

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Gracell Biotechnologies, a Shanghai-San Diego CAR-T company, reported its dual-targeting BCMA/CD19 autologous FasTCAR will begin a China investigator-initiated trial for refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The FasTCAR platform prepares a clinical dose overnight. GC012F, a next-gen CAR-T CD19/BCMA candidate, has already started trials for two multiple myeloma indications and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The new SLE trial is the first time GC012F has been tested in patients with an autoimmune disease. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: GRCL)

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Guangzhou Reforgene Biotechnology closed a $15 million Pre-B financing for its portfolio of gene editing candidates, including a clinical stage therapy for thalassemia. In a Phase I trial, the company’s lead β-thalassemia gene-editing drug, RM-001, produced a 100% cure rate. In addition, Reforgene is developing in vivo gene editing therapies for major genetic diseases in the fields of ophthalmology, nervous system and other fields. The financing was led by Yuexiu Industrial Fund with participation by Yuanyin Venture Capital, Shanfeng Venture Capital, Xinxing Fund, Hong Kong and Guangdong Capital, and Guoju Venture Capital. More details....

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