Pharmaceutical Companies

Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat certain immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Kaigene is developing the antibody for long-acting subcutaneous administration to maintain target inhibition over extended intervals and reduce treatment frequency.

Gilead is exploring HCXT-2001 as a potential oral treatment that could complement its existing inflammation portfolio, which includes programmes targeting IBD, type 2 inflammatory diseases, lupus and B cell-mediated autoimmune conditions.

Under the agreement, Labcorp will pay US$722 million in cash upfront for BioReference’s clinical and women’s health testing businesses, urology services, corrections testing operations and related assets.

The programme includes a Phase I trial in healthy volunteers, followed by a Phase Ib trial in hospitalised patients with acute liver injury, acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure.

The acquisition gives Merck access to divesiran, an investigational small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy for polycythemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer characterised by excessive red blood cell production.

Vir could also receive up to US$45 million in near-term preclinical milestone payments and up to US$1.74 billion in potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

The agreement also includes US$35 million in preclinical milestone payments, with additional development and commercial milestones bringing the total potential deal value to nearly US$1.2 billion.

Pfizer will assume responsibility for subsequent clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory submissions and commercialisation after the discovery phase.

The firm secured capital from a broad investor base, including medical institutions, pension funds, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and university endowments.