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Singapore’s SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR, an official Singapore investor, will team up to build new joint laboratory research labs for cellular immunotherapies, the major focus of SCG’s portfolio. The collaboration will raise close to $22 million to develop SCG’s induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, improving SCG’s cell therapy manufacturing as the company’s lead drug gets closer to approval. SCG101is an autologous T-cell receptor (TCR) therapy for hepatitis B virus that causes hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. The joint labs build on an existing license, research collaboration and MOU between the two groups. More details....

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Deals and Financings

• D3 Bio of Shanghai closed a $62 million Series A+ financing round to conduct global trials of a KRAS G12C inhibitor and ramp up development of its preclinical assets;
• Sino Biopharm formed a strategic partnership with Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim to develop Boehringer 's innovative oncology pipeline in mainland China;
• Suzhou Transcenta partnered with California’s Agilent Technologies to develop a companion diagnostic for Osemitamab, a Claudin18.2 mAb;

Trials and Approvals

• Shanghai Junshi Biosciences was approved to market a combination of toripalimab and axitinib as a first-line treatment for advanced renal cell;
• Hangzhou Jiuyuan Gene Engineering filed for approval of their biosimilar to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide), a weight loss drug;
• Beijing’s YS Biopharma reported positive results from the ongoing Phase III clinical trial of its next-gen PIKA Rabies Vaccine;
• Shenzhen Kexing Biopharm started a Phase III clinical trial of an inhaled Interferon aIb therapy for respiratory syncytial virus infections in children;
• Shanghai Abbisko Therapeutics has completed patient enrollment for a global Phase III trial of pimicotinib in patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumor;
• Sichuan Kelun-Biotech and Merck reported early Phase I/II data showing their TROP2-directed ADC produced a promising disease control rate;
• Suzhou VesiCURE Therapeutics reports its mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles showed efficacy in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis.
  
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Suzhou Transcenta partnered with California’s Agilent Technologies to develop a companion diagnostic for Osemitamab, a Claudin18.2 mAb. Transcenta has developed a mouse anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody, clone 14G11, that specifically binds to CLDN18.2 but not CLDN18.1. The antibody, generated against a linear epitope located on the extracellular domain of loop 1, has a binding site that overlaps the binding site of Osemitamab. Agilent is developing an immunohistochemistry assay that detects CLDN18.2 protein. Transcenta will use the assay to select patients for the Phase III trial of Osemitamab in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. More details....

Stock Symbol: (HK: 06628)

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Beijing’s YS Biopharma reported positive results from the ongoing Phase III clinical trial of its next-gen PIKA Rabies Vaccine. The company said interim results show that the vaccine has met its primary endpoints with potential to offer best-in-class accelerated protection and meet the WHO's goal of a one-week rabies vaccine regimen that would replace the usual three- or four-week regimens. YS Biopharma is a China-US biopharma that develops vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: YS)

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Shanghai Abbisko Therapeutics has completed patient enrollment for a pivotal global Phase III trial of pimicotinib in patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). Pimicotinib is a novel, orally available small molecule inhibitor of CSF-1R. TGCT is a benign tumor that can cause painful joint swelling and stiffness. In late 2023, Abbisko sold greater China commercial rights to the drug for TGCT to Germany’s Merck in a $605 million agreement, including $70 million upfront. Merck has an option to add global rights to the candidate. The trial enrolled 94 patients at sites in China, the US and EU. More details....

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