Sanofi to collaborate with Alphamab Oncology in breast cancer

Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) has agreed to collaborate with Suzhou, China-based Alphamab Oncology subsidiary Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. to advance the clinical development of KN026, combined with Taxotere (docetaxel), for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Sanofi has a certain exclusive period to in-license KN026, an anti-HER2 bispecific antibody, subject to the achievement of certain clinical milestones.

Enrollment in an open-label study is underway.

Financial terms are not disclosed.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581397-sanofi-to-collaborate-alphamab-oncology-in-breast-cancer

Nanoviricides teams up with TheraCour in COVID-19

NanoViricides (NYSEMKT:NNVC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with respect to anti-viral treatments for coronavirus-derived human infections (the “Field”) with privately held TheraCour Pharma, Inc.

The MoU specifically provides a limited, exclusive license to all research and development in the Field for further R&D purposes towards human clinical trials.

NanoViricides intends to retain an independent consultant for the evaluation of assets in order to develop the full license agreement.

Along with working on drug development to treat COVID-19 infection, the company had previously engaged in limited R&D for the treatment of MERS coronavirus during 2014.

The company has found that the broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus drug candidates that it is developing were several times more effective than favirpravir in cell culture assays against two different coronaviruses, namely hCoV-229E and hCoV-NL63.

NanoViricides has also found that these drug candidates showed strong effectiveness in an animal model of human coronavirus disease, potentially superior to remdesivir, although no firm conclusions to that effect can be drawn.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581399-nanoviricides-teams-up-theracour-in-covidminus-19

Anthem stays the course with 2020 outlook

Anthem (NYSE:ANTM) discloses that it will be speaking with investors over the next several weeks and intends to reaffirm its 2020 EPS guidance of more than $21.00, inclusive of ~$1.30 of net unfavorable items. Non-GAAP EPS should be greater than $22.30. About 70% of its non-GAAP earnings pre share will be generated in H1.

Guidance does not include any other adjustments beyond those reported in Q1 results.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581410-anthem-stays-course-2020-outlook

Amphastar Pharma receives FDA approval for generic Quelicin

The FDA has approved Amphastar Pharmaceuticals’ (NASDAQ:AMPH) Abbreviated New Drug Application for Succinylcholine Chloride Injection USP, 200 mg/10 mL (20 mg/mL) Multiple-Dose Vial, a therapeutic equivalent of Pfizer’s Quelicin.

It is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.

According to IQVIA, the annual U.S sales figure for year March 31, 2020 for Succinylcholine Chloride Injection USP was ~$75M.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581420-amphastar-pharma-receives-fda-approval-for-generic-quelicin

CytoDyn to update on pipeline progress on June 11

CytoDyn (OTCQB:CYDY) will host an investment community conference call on June 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET to provide an update on several recent clinical and regulatory developments, potential uplisting and potential licensing and/or distribution agreements.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581432-cytodyn-to-update-on-pipeline-progress-on-june-11

Can-Fite rallies on advancement of Piclidenoson for COVID-19

Nano cap Can-Fite BioPharma (NYSEMKT:CANF) is up 14% premarket on robust volume on the heels of its announcement that the FDA has provided guidance regarding the potential use of Piclidenoson to treat COVID-19 patients. The company says the information allows it to proceed with an IND filing for the indication.

If the FDA signs off on the IND, it will launch a Phase 2 trial comparing Piclidenoson to standard-of-care treatment in COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms.

Can-Fite is currently developing the A3AR agonist for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581458-can-fite-rallies-on-advancement-of-piclidenoson-for-covidminus-19

Immunic launches mid-stage IMU-838 trial in COVID-19

Immunic (NASDAQ:IMUX) is up 8% after receiving FDA allowance to initiate its phase 2, CALVID-1 clinical trial of IMU-838, an oral, selective dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor, in COVID-19 at centers in U.S.

Top-line data are expected later this year.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3581460-immunic-launches-mid-stage-imuminus-838-trial-in-covidminus-19