China has approved the world's first commercial brain-computer interface. AstraZeneca is building new cell therapy centers in Shanghai. Astellas ended a T-cell engager pact with CytomX Therapeutics. And more.
1. China approves first brain-computer interface implant for paralyzed patients, as sector heats up
China has granted the world’s first commercial approval to a brain-computer interface. The device, developed by Neuracle Technology in Shanghai, was cleared for people with paralysis to help them restore hand movements. The system includes implanted electrodes to record electrical activity in the brain, while the signals are transmitted to and decoded by a computer to control a robotic glove that can grasp objects.
2. AstraZeneca to build cell therapy manufacturing hub, R&D center in Shanghai
AstraZeneca aims to be the first multinational pharma to have end-to-end cell therapy capabilities in China. To do this, the company will establish a new commercial cell therapy manufacturing base and an innovation center dedicated to the modality in Shanghai. In addition, AZ is working with partners to launch a new life sciences collaboration initiative between Shanghai and the U.K.
3. Astellas walks away from $1.6B biobucks T-cell engager pact with CytomX after 6 years
Astellas has effectively ended a T-cell engager collaboration with CytomX Therapeutics six years after paying the Bay Area biotech $80 million upfront in a $1.6 billion biobucks deal. The Japanese pharma has chosen not to advance any preclinical assets using CytomX’s masked biologics platform. The move comes shortly after Astellas licensed a masked PSMAxCD3 bispecific from Vir Biotechnology.
4. Sandoz expands biosim collab with Samsung Bioepis, sets sights on Takeda's Entyvio
Sandoz and Samsung Bioepis have expanded their biosimilar partnership to include up to five more products. The two firms are already partners on Samsung’s copycats of Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara and AstraZeneca’s Soliris. This time, they will initially work on a version of Takeda’s Entyvio. The deal has the potential to bring Sandoz’s biosimilar portfolio to 32 assets.
5. Syneos Health scoops up Chinese CRO to secure place in ‘rapidly growing market’
Syneos Health has acquired Chinese CRO Bestudy to capitalize on China’s growing biopharma sector. The local shop will continue operating as a standalone company, according to Syneos. Together, the two brands are “well positioned to support both global biopharma companies and emerging China-based innovators across clinical development,” a Syneos spokesperson said.
6. Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide is about to go generic in India, China (The New York Times)
Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide will expire in India this Saturday. More than 40 Indian firms are expected to launch over 50 semaglutide products within weeks at discounts of at least 50% to 60%, according to Reuters. China could follow soon, as 10 generic competitors were in the final stage of evaluation by Chinese regulators in early March to market their semaglutide products.
Other News of Note:
7. Celltrion signs up to $250M supply deal with unnamed global biopharma (release)
8. Excalipoint Therapeutics launches with $68.7M to develop T-cell engagers (release)
9. Daiichi Sankyo taps Leveragen's in vivo platforms for antibody discovery (release)