China has approved the world’s first commercial brain-computer interface. AstraZeneca is building a new cell therapy center in Shanghai. Astellas Pharma has terminated its T cell engager agreement with CytomX Therapeutics. moreover.
1. China approves first brain-computer interface implant for paralyzed patients; industry heats up
China has given the world’s first commercial approval to a brain-computer interface. The device, developed by Shanghai’s Neuracle Technology, has been approved to help people with paralysis regain hand movement. The system includes implanted electrodes to record electrical activity in the brain, and the signals are sent to a computer and decoded to control a robotic glove that can grasp objects.
2. AstraZeneca to build cell therapy manufacturing base and R&D center in Shanghai
AstraZeneca aims to become the first multinational pharmaceutical company with end-to-end cell therapy capabilities in China. To achieve this, the company plans to establish a new commercial cell therapy manufacturing base in Shanghai and an innovation center dedicated to this modality. Additionally, AZ is working with partners to launch a new life science cooperation initiative between Shanghai and the UK.
3. Astellas abandons $1.6 billion BioVac T-cell engager deal with CytomX after six years
Astellas Pharma has effectively ended its T-cell engager partnership with CytomX Therapeutics, six years after paying the Bay Area biotech company $80 million up front in a $1.6 billion BioVac deal. The Japanese pharmaceutical company has chosen not to develop preclinical assets using CytomX’s masked biologics platform. The move comes shortly after Astellas acquired a masked PSMAxCD3 bispecific license from Vir Biotechnology.
4. Sandoz expands biosim collaboration with Samsung Bioepis, sets sights on Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Entyvio
Sandoz and Samsung Bioepis have expanded their biosimilar partnership to include up to five additional products. The companies are already partners in Samsung’s copycats of Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara and AstraZeneca’s Soliris. This time, we’ll be working on Takeda Pharmaceutical’s version of Entyvio first. The deal could bring Sandoz’s biosimilar portfolio to 32 assets.
5. Syneos Health acquires Chinese CRO, secures position in ‘rapidly growing market’
Syneos Health acquires Chinese CRO Bestudy to capitalize on China’s growing biopharmaceutical sector. Syneos said local stores will continue to operate as independent companies. A Syneos spokesperson said the brands are “well positioned to support both global biopharmaceutical companies and China-based emerging innovators throughout clinical development.”
6. Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide to become generic in India and China (New York Times)
Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide expires in India this Saturday. More than 40 Indian companies are expected to launch more than 50 semaglutide products at discounts of at least 50-60% in the coming weeks, according to Reuters. In early March, 10 generic competitors entered the final stage of evaluation by Chinese regulators for the sale of semaglutide products, and China may soon follow suit.
Other notable news:
7. Celltrion signs supply agreement worth up to $250 million with unnamed global biopharmaceutical company (release)
8. Excalipoint Therapeutics launches $68.7 million to develop T cell engager (release)
9. Daiichi Sankyo uses Revaregen’s in vivo platform for antibody discovery (release)
