Neuroscience

ALS
The TREM2 stabilizer failed to show efficacy in a Phase 2 trial of patients with early-stage ALS. This development follows two late-stage trial failures reported by Novartis last week, plus the news that the pharma has paused multiple CAR T cell trials following patient deaths.
A growing number of biotechs are entering the market with newly launched medicines, a pattern indicative of “improving capital markets,” according to Jefferies’ Andrew Tsai.
Positive topline results from a second straight study in generalized anxiety disorder shift the narrative for Definium Therapeutics’ DT120 to commercialization, Jefferies analysts said Monday, while Stifel wrote that the asset is moving towards an FDA submission.
Heading into an FDA hearing on Monday regarding the future of psychedelic treatments, public comments show wide support for further exploring the therapeutic potential of these compounds—to match rising support within the agency.
While Novartis’ antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate failed to significantly improve hand function in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1, the asset nevertheless showed signs of clinical activity in secondary and exploratory measures.
While some drugmakers continue to walk the alpha-synuclein antibody path, others like AC Immune opt for new approaches that could bring the first-ever disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
Zanvastro, an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, represents the first independent neurology launch for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, which intends to leverage the foothold for more approvals in rare neurodegenerative diseases, including Angelman syndrome.
The biologics license application follows months of public speculation—and regulatory reversals—for uniQure’s AMT-130. If accepted by the FDA for priority review, approval could come in the second quarter of 2027.
Novartis is planning to file for remibrutinib’s expanded approval in relapsing multiple sclerosis by next year, putting it just behind Roche’s own BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib.
Well-known for its oncology efforts and making recent headlines for a rumored mega merger with AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb is also dedicating considerable resources to neurological and psychiatric diseases, with a “continuum of care” mindset.
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