On the same day as Roche's Pharma Day in London, the biopharma giant revealed a high-dollar deal with Chinese-American biotech Regor for the latter's CDK inhibitors. Meanwhile, Legend's momentum continued with a strong survival showing for Johnson & Johnson-partnered CAR-T Carvykti and the announcement of a planned R&D facility in the U.S. In addition, SK pharmteco is plotting a manufacturing expansion. Plus more.
1. Roche celebrates Pharma Day by buying Regor's CDK inhibitors, regenerative med-focused AntlerA
Roche's Genentech agreed to pay $850 million upfront for Regor's portfolio of CDK inhibitors, including a breast cancer candidate that has shown early promise in patients who had failed on other treatments. Regor, a Chinese-American biotech, will continue to run two ongoing phase 1 trials for a prospect that is central to the deal, RGT-419B. Afterward, Genentech will take on development, manufacturing and commercialization duties.
2. J&J, Legend solidify Carvykti's lead in earlier multiple myeloma with strong survival showing
As Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson build out the clinical case—and market reach—of their multiple myeloma CAR-T med Carvykti, the partners have presented new survival data. Carvykti slashed the risk of death by 45% compared with two traditional combination treatment regimens in patients who had previously tried at least one line of therapy. The result came from an update of the CARTITUDE-4 trial.
3. Legend set to open Philadelphia cell therapy R&D site next year
Meanwhile, Legend is expanding its own global footprint. The company is planning to open a 31,000-square-foot R&D facility in Philadelphia during next year's third quarter. Around 55 people will work at the site, which Legend said will "advance its portfolio of next-generation cell therapies."
4. WuXi service providers weigh sales of certain assets amid BIOSECURE scrutiny: FT
WuXi AppTec is weighing various options for its cell and gene therapy manufacturing arm, WuXi Advanced Therapies, a company spokesperson said. WuXi Biologics is working with advisers to potentially sell two German manufacturing facilities it purchased from Bayer and expanded last year, the Financial Times reports, citing people close to the matter.
5. SK pharmteco to build $260M small molecule and peptide production facility in South Korea
SK pharmteco has revealed plans to build a fifth factory in its home country. The plant in Sejong will feature peptide R&D facilities, kilo labs and a pilot plant for peptide manufacturing. SK plans to open the 135,800-square-foot facility, which will employ 300 people, in late 2026.
Japan's Otsuka has been hit with another infraction from the U.K.'s pharma marketing regulator. Three months ago, the PMCPA hit Otsuka for failing “to provide a full and frank disclosure” on an old case. Now, the organization blasted the Japanese drugmaker for “bringing discredit upon, and reducing confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry." The latest case centered on a prescription drug training website.
7. Kailera launches with $400M series A and clutch of Chinese obesity drugs
While the biotech Kailera Therapeutics splits its operations between the two U.S. coasts, the company in May secured the ex-China rights to four GLP-1 drugs from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. Now, the biotech is celebrating a $400 million series A fundraise as it seeks to advance the prospects in a crowded field.
Other News of Note
8. Astellas cruises into first DTC campaign for geographic atrophy treatment Izervay
9. Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center forms cancer trial partnership with Japan's largest CRO
10. Japan's Meiji Seika Pharma seeks COVID-19 vaccine label change to include domestic manufacturing sites (Release, PDF)