News Archive

GlaxoSmithKline’s experimental drug GSK095 is designed to work in tandem with checkpoint inhibiting medicines in the hopes of empowering the immune system to launch a more aggressive attack against tumors than it does with checkpoint inhibitors alone. Early results from a preclinical trial of a related GSK drug suggest that the combo holds promise in treating pancreatic cancer—so much so that the company is launching a phase 1 study of the drug in combination with Merck’s blockbuster PD1 checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda.

Emergent BioSolutions said on Tuesday it will begin a Phase 3 trial of a new anthrax vaccine it is developing.

The Phase 3 trial will evaluate the lot consistency, immunogenicity, and safety of the vaccine, called AV7909. AV7909 is designed to elicit a faster immune response than other anthrax vaccines that are currently available.

There’s new hope for patients who have blood diseases. Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers say a new protocol offers the possibility of a cure. One patient who tried the treatment says it didn’t just change her life, it saved it.

2018 was undoubtedly one of the most important years ever for biopharma, setting records for valuations and dealmaking. But a paper published in January called some of that exuberance into question, noting that many startups over the years have managed to become unicorns – with valuations of $1 billion or more – despite having little or no published, peer-reviewed data.

Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage immunotherapeutics company, today announced additional positive data from a Phase 2 extension study of its NasoVAX intranasal influenza vaccine candidate. Data from this study demonstrated that 100% of the evaluated subjects remained seroprotected, and the seroconversion rate was unchanged more than one year after vaccination.

It didn’t take long for the Trump administration to tap Ned Sharpless, now director of the National Cancer Institute, to take the reins at FDA for now—or for biopharma to hail the news. In fact, one team of analysts said the industry would “breathe a collective sigh of relief.”

Sonavex is first targeting the reconstructive surgery market with its new medical technology, which just earned its final FDA clearance.

Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a leader in cancer genomics, today announced that it has applied the CE mark to PGDx elio™ plasma resolve. It is the first kitted plasma-based NGS oncology test to have that certification, enabling greater access to genomic testing for cancer patients in Europe.

A pair of Baltimore healthcare leaders are partnering to reach digital health startups.

Hospital network LifeBridge Health and health insurance provider CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield will be hosting an innovation challenge that includes a chance to pitch and win funding for companies.

When Kevin Tran ‘12, chemical engineering, was a student at UMBC, he took a course on sensors that made him realize the best high tech solution is sometimes a low tech solution.