Welcome to this week’s edition of the Life Sciences Voice Top Five Newsletter, your go-to source for the latest breakthroughs in the life sciences industry! This time, we’re looking at Phase 2 data from Ventyx’s Parkinson trial, how GSK has licensed development for its Shigella vaccine candidate to Bharat biotech, BioNTech’s decision to close down its Maryland facility, and more! Stay informed and inspired by the innovations driving life sciences forward.
Ventyx Reports Phase 2a Results for VTX3232 in Parkinson’s Disease
Ventyx Biosciences released data from a Phase 2a study of VTX3232, an oral NLRP3 inhibitor, in ten patients with early idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Over 28 days, participants received 40 mg daily, showing reductions in NLRP3 and other inflammatory biomarkers, as well as motor and non-motor symptom improvements. VTX3232 achieved high plasma and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations, supporting once-daily dosing. The study was open-label without placebo control, and no serious adverse events were reported. Ventyx plans a larger Phase II Parkinson’s trial and is exploring expansion to Alzheimer’s.
GSK Transfers Shigella Vaccine Candidate to Bharat Biotech for Phase 3 Development
GSK has licensed its Shigella vaccine candidate, altSonflex1-2-3, to Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), enabling BBIL to conduct Phase 3 trials and pursue distribution in low- and middle-income countries. The vaccine uses GMMA technology to induce immune responses without adjuvants and can be produced at scale for about $1 per dose. GSK’s early trials met immunogenicity targets, but the company is transferring development responsibilities while offering design and funding support. This follows a similar 2021 licensing deal between the firms. Another Shigella candidate, previously returned by GSK, is also under development by Valneva.
BioNTech to End Gaithersburg Cell Therapy Operations Following Trial Setback
BioNTech plans to cease cell therapy manufacturing at its Gaithersburg, Maryland facility and lay off 63 employees after Phase 1 trial data for its CAR-T candidate BNT211 in testicular cancer showed limited promise. The site, acquired from Kite Pharma in 2021, will close by the end of 2025. While discontinuing BNT211 in that indication, BioNTech will continue evaluating the candidate in other solid tumors expressing CLDN6. The company is also redirecting Gaithersburg’s capabilities to other programs. Additionally, BioNTech declined a co-development option with Autolus Therapeutics and is pursuing new oncology initiatives, including ADC BNT323 and expanded U.K. research infrastructure.
Bavarian Nordic Sells FDA Priority Review Voucher for $160 Million
Bavarian Nordic has agreed to sell a Priority Review Voucher (PRV) granted by the FDA following the April 2025 approval of its chikungunya vaccine, Vimkunya, for $160 million. The buyer remains undisclosed. The PRV, awarded under the FDA’s tropical disease program, stems from Bavarian Nordic’s 2023 acquisition of Emergent BioSolutions’ travel health unit. The NIH, which originally licensed the vaccine, will receive 20% of the proceeds. The sale, expected to close in Q3 2025, will be recorded as operating income. Recent PRV sales have increased amid supply concerns, particularly following the expiration of the rare pediatric disease PRV program.
Immuneering Reports 94% Six-Month Survival in Phase 2a Pancreatic Cancer Trial
Immuneering reported a 94% six-month overall survival rate in a Phase 2a trial of its MEK inhibitor, atebimetinib, in patients with first-line pancreatic cancer. The 34-participant study combined atebimetinib with a modified gemcitabine–nab-paclitaxel regimen and lacked a control arm, instead referencing historical data from a 2013 chemotherapy study. At data cutoff, median overall and progression-free survival had not been reached. The trial showed a 39% response rate and a 72% six-month progression-free survival rate. Grade 3+ anemia was more common than in other trials, while gastrointestinal adverse events were less frequent. Immuneering plans to advance to a pivotal trial.
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