Clinical-stage Xencor is receiving $100 million up front and a $25 million equity investment, while Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech subsidiary gets global rights to plamotamab, a bispecific antibody. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Roche are also developing bispecific antibodies against the same targets, but Xencor’s drug has a feature that could be a competitive advantage.
The first FDA approval for a NASH drug, data on "off-the-shelf" CAR-T cells and a potential approval of a controversial drug for Alzheimer's disease are some of things in store for 2020.
The progress in artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping patient care, across various dimensions, from facilitating faster discharge to curating treatment plans and suggesting lifestyle changes.
The hold had been placed in February following two deaths in the study, including one in a patient who experienced cytokine release syndrome. The company has amended the trial protocol to mandate monitoring and management of CRS.
The Phase I study is testing a bispecific antibody, XmAb14045, in acute myeloid leukemia, under a partnership with Swiss drugmaker Novartis. Xencor's stock fell following the news.
CAR-Ts have generated excitement, but bispecific monoclonal antibodies may continue to have a competitive edge in some cases.