Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Meghana Keshavan
Published on 2024-03-11 12:51:42
The ALS community experienced a significant setback on Friday when Amylyx Pharmaceuticals’ drug Relyvrio failed to demonstrate any benefit over a placebo in a large clinical trial. This failure has led to the inevitable withdrawal of the drug from the market, highlighting the limited availability of effective therapies for ALS. Physicians now face the challenge of advising patients on what to do with a medication that has proven ineffective. Questions have also arisen regarding the FDA’s decision to approve Relyvrio based on equivocal data and how this setback could impact the approval process for drugs treating other rare diseases. Furthermore, the future of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is uncertain as its sole revenue source is disappearing.
In positive news, after securing a substantial $259 million in Series C funding, the San Francisco startup Alumis announced promising results from a Phase 2 trial of its lead drug candidate ESK-001 for psoriasis. Patients receiving the highest dose of the drug experienced a 75% improvement in their condition compared to those on a placebo, putting ESK-001 on par with a similar medication approved in 2022. Alumis plans to advance to Phase 3 studies for ESK-001 in psoriasis, while also exploring its potential in lupus and uveitis.
Artificial intelligence-mediated protein engineering is raising concerns about the potential weaponization of AI-designed proteins. Researchers are advocating for the responsible and ethical handling of this technology to prevent its misuse as bioweapons. Despite the risks, the manifesto “Responsible AI x Biodesign” has garnered support from over 100 scientists, committing to conducting research for the benefit of society and improving screening for hazardous biomolecules.
In another development, a new online marketplace called aRukon is launching to facilitate the exchange of unused animal samples among researchers globally. Founded by biomedical researcher Javier Burgos, the platform aims to reduce waste, save costs, and prevent unnecessary animal harm by allowing researchers to list various animal parts for sale. Launched with funding from Spain’s State Research Agency, aRukon emphasizes fair pricing and discourages profit-seeking.
Additionally, Lundbeck presented promising data on its experimental drug for multiple system atrophy (MSA) at a conference in Portugal. Despite missing the primary endpoint, the drug showed a 27% slowdown in disease progression, encouraging analysts to support its advancement to Phase 3 development. The drug’s impact on white matter volume loss in MSA patients offers hope for addressing the unmet medical needs in this neurodegenerative disease.
In conclusion, the biotech industry continues to witness a mix of challenges and advancements, from drug failures and ethical concerns to promising clinical results and innovative market solutions. Stay informed on the latest developments by subscribing to our biotech newsletter.
