Welcome to the latest edition of the Life Sciences Voice Top Five Newsletter, where we bring you a roundup of the most impactful updates in the world of life sciences. In this issue, we take a look at Alcon’s breakthrough therapy for Dry Eye Disease, Harvard researchers finding success in vision restoration in mice, Curevo’s phase 2 trial success for their Shingles therapy, and other top news!
Alcon’s AR-15512 Breakthrough for Dry Eye Disease
Alcon’s $770 million acquisition of Aerie Pharmaceuticals proves strategic as AR-15512, the lead candidate, demonstrates promising results in two phase 3 trials for dry eye disease. The trials show a significant increase in tear production after a 14-day regimen, meeting the primary endpoint. Alcon, aiming for FDA approval by mid-2024, highlights early observations of tangible improvements in tear production from the first day of treatment, positioning AR-15512 as a potential groundbreaking treatment for the prevalent condition affecting an estimated 38 million Americans.
Harvard-Engineered Virus-Like Particles for Vision Restoration
Researchers from Harvard and the Broad Institute, led by Dr. David Liu, make strides in vision restoration in blind mice using prime editors delivered through novel particle systems. The study showcases the successful use of prime editor-engineered virus-like particles (PE-eVLPs) for therapeutic prime editing in animals, enhancing efficiency and addressing safety concerns. The results demonstrate the potential of optimized PE-eVLPs for in vivo correction of genetic mutations, marking a significant advancement in prime editing technology and its application in therapeutic interventions.
GSK’s $1 Billion Acquisition of Aiolos Bio for Asthma Medicine
GSK is acquiring Aiolos Bio and its phase 2 asthma medicine, AIO-001, for an initial payment of $1 billion and up to $400 million in regulatory targets. AIO-001, considered a potential best-in-class treatment, targets a unique population of asthma patients with low T2 inflammation. GSK aims to expand research into other indications and conduct a phase 2 study in people with asthma, positioning AIO-001 as a promising addition to GSK’s biologics portfolio.
Curevo Vaccine’s Success in Shingles Vaccine Market
Curevo Vaccine’s CRV-101, a non-mRNA adjuvanted subunit vaccine, proves successful in a phase 2 trial against GSK’s Shingles vaccine. CRV-101 demonstrates a strong immune response, surpassing Shingrix, with lower rates of adverse events. Curevo strategically emphasizes the vaccine’s safety profile as a potential market differentiator, foreseeing greater acceptance of shingles vaccination if confirmed in a phase 3 trial.
Novo Nordisk’s Research Agreements with Omega Therapeutics and Cellarity
Novo Nordisk enters substantial research agreements with Omega Therapeutics and Cellarity, both incubated by Flagship Pioneering, as part of a broader collaboration targeting cardiometabolic and rare diseases. Novo Nordisk will provide funding for research and development, potentially reaching $532 million, and tiered royalties. Omega Therapeutics focuses on programmable epigenomic mRNA medicines for obesity, while Cellarity aims to develop a small molecule therapy for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), addressing significant unmet patient needs in these areas.
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