Researchers at Yale University published research in Molecular Biology and Evolution describing a new molecular analysis approach to quantify DNA changes that contribute to cancer growth.

Cullinan Oncology and Taiho Pharmaceutical announced that Taiho was acquiring Cullinan Pearl and will co-develop and co-commercialize a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) drug.

Roche

The fresh blow to Roche’s hopes in a closely watched class of cancer immunotherapies cast a long shadow across the crowded field on May 11, but the latest setback is not the end of the road for these oncology treatments, analysts say.

Development of a new cancer treatment pioneered by Roche was thrown into doubt on May 11 when the immunotherapy drug failed to slow progression of lung cancer in a second trial, hitting the Swiss pharmaceutical maker’s shares.

A collaboration between Gilead Sciences and Dragonfly Therapeutics was announced May 2, with an end goal of bringing Dragonfly’s DF7001 natural killer (NK) engager program designed for patients with cancer or inflammatory diseases to fruition. 

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting is running from April 7-13 in New Orleans, with hundreds of presentations on cutting-edge cancer research. The presentations run the gamut from preclinical studies to late-stage clinical trials. BioSpace looks at some of the preclinical and early-stage studies presented.

Pfizer building

In response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pfizer will cease operations within Russia and proceeds from the company’s subsidiary in that country will be donated to provide direct humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine. Regarding COVID-19, Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla noted in an interview with Face the Nation that it is likely that a fourth booster shot of the company’s vaccine will be needed to fend off another surge of infections.

Amgen Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Bradway anticipates the non-small cell lung cancer drug Lumakras will become a cornerstone medicine as the company aims to develop multiple medications for targets long thought to be undruggable.

Sanofi

Fresh off a presentation of positive data showing that the KRASG12C inhibitor adagrasib benefited colorectal and lung cancer patients, Mirati Therapeutics forged an agreement to combine the drug with Sanofi’s company’s SHP2 inhibitor SAR442720 in lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most devestating diagnoses and highest unmet needs in the oncology space. EQRx, which intends to solve pricing and access challenges for patients, unveiled new data at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021 showing that it might just have the answer to NSCLC too.