> Ipsen outlined plans to rejig its R&D operation. The French biopharma is planning to shelve some internal programs, step up its interest in others and acquire programs to flesh out its pipeline. Ipsen said the business development activities will focus on early to mid-stage assets in oncology, rare diseases and neurosciences. Release
> Pierre Fabre and Array Biopharma chalked up another late-phase success for their combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors. The phase 3 trial linked the inhibitors, binimetinib and encorafenib, to a median progression-free survival of 12.9 months, as compared to the 9.2 months achieved by encorafenib as a monotherapy. With the data building on results from the first phase 3 trial of the combination, the companies are set to file for approval on their respective sides of the Atlantic by September. Statement
> Pharnext struck a deal with China’s Tasly Pharmaceutical. The agreement will see Tasly make a €20 million ($22 million) investment in Pharnext and set up a joint venture with its new partner. Tasly will take a 70% stake in the joint venture, the goal of which is to develop drugs to treat cardiovascular and oncology conditions. The deal also includes the licensing of Pharnext’s lead candidate for the Chinese market. Release
> Immunocore identified a lead candidate for the second drug discovery program it is running with GlaxoSmithKline. The asset is seen as potential treatment for diseases including triple negative breast cancer. The advance triggered a payout to Immunocore. In total, Immunocore could receive £142 million ($183 million) in preclinical milestones through the deal. Immunocore expects to move the lead candidate in the GSK collaboration into the clinic early next year. Statement
> Affibody moved lead candidate ABY-035 into a phase 2 trial in patients with psoriasis. The decision to push ahead with development of the interleukin-17 inhibitor was made after Affibody brought the drug safely through an early-phase trial in 46 healthy volunteers. Release
> Scancell raised £5 million ($6.4 million). The British biotech plans to use the cash to move the lead candidate from its CD4+ T cell-stimulating platform into the clinic. Scancell thinks the candidate could be used to treat triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Statement