checkpoint therapeutics

New Delhi, May 27 () Drug firm Jubilant Life Sciences (JLS) today announced a USD 180 million out-licensing pact with checkpoint therapeutics Inc for a family of patented compounds to be developed for cancer treatment.

Sun Pharma, India's largest pharmaceutical company, is set to acquire checkpoint therapeutics for $355 million. This strategic acquisition will enhance Sun Pharma's specialty portfolio, including UNLOXCYT, an FDA-approved treatment for advanced skin cancer, expanding its global presence in oncology treatments.

Sun Pharma is set to acquire checkpoint therapeutics for $355 million, enhancing its specialty portfolio with UNLOXCYT, an FDA-approved treatment for advanced skin cancer. This acquisition aims to expand patient access globally. The transaction, pending regulatory and shareholder approval, is expected to close by Q2 2025, providing significant value to Checkpoint stockholders.

Macquarie, Nomura, Kotak Institutional Equities, Kotak Institutional Equities, Morgan Stanley, HSBC

While the diagram of a human cell might have given a headache to science students with all its elements such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and golgi bodies, it is still a challenge to get the best 'picture' of the cells and their parts for further analysis. Tarushyam Mukherjee, a doctoral student at IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn), along with his team has developed synthesized biological dyes for better imaging.

Inhibiting a previously known protein could reduce tumour burden and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments, a study has found. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts the body's natural defences to fight cancer.

Sun Pharma's India business head, Kirti Ganorkar, will become the managing director on September 1, succeeding founder Dilip Shanghvi. Shanghvi will transition to executive chairman, while his son Aalok will oversee North America as COO. Richard Ascroft will take over as CEO of North America, replacing Abhay Gandhi, as Sun Pharma continues its strategic leadership evolution.

Scientists have developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that, when combined with existing immunotherapy drugs, could 'teach' the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer. This novel approach stimulates a broad, virus-like immune response, making tumours more visible to attack and potentially preventing recurrence. The breakthrough offers a promising new direction for universal cancer prevention and treatment.

Avammune Therapeutics secured $12 million in Series A funding to advance its small molecule immunotherapies targeting cancer and autoimmune disorders. The funding will support clinical trials for AVA-NP-695, an ENPP1 inhibitor showing promise in preclinical models for cancers like osteosarcoma. Avammune's approach focuses on activating the innate immune system, offering a potentially more accessible alternative to existing immuno-oncology treatments.

Genetic testing, via germline and somatic testing, is crucial in breast cancer to understand inherited risks and tumor behavior. Germline testing identifies hereditary mutations aiding in preventive measures and family member screenings. Tumour-based genomic assays analyze gene expressions, guiding chemotherapy decisions and identifying effective targeted treatments, enhancing the personalized care and prognosis for breast cancer patients.

The civil war in Sudan has led to a severe food crisis, forcing people to resort to eating soil and tree leaves to survive. The conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF has disrupted agriculture, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. International aid efforts are hindered by looting and bureaucratic obstacles, putting many lives at risk.

An experimental vaccine targeting aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has shown encouraging early results in clinical trials. The vaccine aims to train the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, potentially reducing recurrence and improving survival with fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Larger trials are now planned to confirm these promising findings.

The demand for Indian generic drugs has shot up in China amid the ongoing Covid surge in the country, with Chinese experts cautioning that fake versions of these drugs are flooding the market. “On the Chinese e-commerce platforms... At least four generic Covid drugs produced in India - Primovir, Paxista, Molnunat, and Molnatris — have been listed for sale in recent weeks," Chinese media outlet Sixth Tone reported.

Scientists have successfully created immature human egg-like cells from skin-derived stem cells, a significant step in reproductive science. This breakthrough offers hope for infertility treatments, potentially eliminating the need for donor eggs and preserving fertility for cancer patients. While clinical application is years away, the research illuminates early egg development and its implications for genetic understanding.

Can pollution cause it? What about inflammation? And how do tumours spread? Here’s what scientists are learning about this complex disease