Peter Thiel's Secretive 'Tech Bilderberg' Group Eyes Global Expansion

 Dialog, the exclusive forum co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel and entrepreneur Auren Hoffman, is planning a permanent Washington headquarters as the PayPal co-founder's investment portfolio gains deeper federal government ties through companies like Palantir.

The invitation-only network is scouting real estate to build a "campus in the D.C. suburbs," according to reports, marking a strategic expansion into the nation's political center.

"Dialog, often compared to a tech-era Bilderberg, has quietly become one of the most elite, and mysterious, gatherings for CEOs, elected officials, and intellectual heavyweights," Axios reports.

The move comes as Thiel's influence in government circles has grown substantially, driven by lucrative federal contracts secured by his portfolio companies. Palantir, the data analytics firm he co-founded, has become a key supplier to U.S. intelligence and defense agencies.

A source with ties to Dialog told Axios that the permanent facility reflects "rising demand for quieter reflection in an always-on world. Dialog bills itself as offering global elites the chance to talk candidly across ideological lines, away from their phones and the pressures of social media, the news media, and their stakeholders."

The forum's secretive nature appears to be a selling point. "Given declining trust in institutions and anti-establishment fervor," the source added, "the group actively keeps its inner workings secretive and hidden from public scrutiny." The network's "secretive nature allows participants to share controversial and concerning ideas that they would not be comfortable sharing elsewhere."

Dialog has hosted events in the U.S. and Italy and is planning satellite gatherings in the Middle East and other locations, signaling global ambitions beyond its Washington expansion.

The forum attracts a bipartisan roster of power players, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, KKR & Co. co-founder Henry Kravis, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Other participants include Senator Cory Booker, former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

As the late, great comedian George Carlin once famously said: It's a big club and you ain't in it.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/peter-thiels-secretive-tech-bilderberg-group-eyes-global-expansion

BioArctic soars after $30 mln Novartis deal, third tie-up for BrainTransporter

 BioArctic AB (ST:BIOAb) shares jumped on Tuesday after the company said it signed an option, collaboration and license agreement with Novartis to apply its BrainTransporter technology to a neurodegeneration target that has not been disclosed.

The Stockholm-based company said it will receive an upfront payment of $30 million under the deal. If Novartis chooses to exercise its option to license a drug candidate from the collaboration, BioArctic could receive up to $772 million in milestone payments. 

The agreement also includes tiered mid-single-digit royalties on any future global product sales. Novartis will hold full responsibility for worldwide development and commercialization of the drug candidate .

The agreement is the third involving BioArctic’s BrainTransporter platform. Earlier deals included a research evaluation agreement with Eisai for BAN2802 and a global license agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb for BioArctic’s PyroGlutamate-amyloid-beta antibody program, where BAN2803 uses the technology. BioArctic said it continues to retain rights to the platform for additional collaborations.

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/bioarctic-soars-13-after-30-mln-novartis-deal-third-tieup-for-braintransporter-4210259

RNA drug from Regeneron, Alnylam succeeds in rare autoimmune disease trial

 

• An RNA medicine developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals helped control symptoms of the chronic autoimmune disease generalized myasthenia gravis in adults enrolled in a late-stage study, Regeneron said Tuesday.
• Regeneron also tested the RNA medicine, called cemdisiran, together with an antibody drug it developed and sells as Veopoz for another disease. However, study results suggested the combination was not as effective as cemdisiran alone.
• Regeneron, which licensed cemdisiran from Alnylam, plans to submit the drug for U.S. approval in myasthenia gravis sometime in the first quarter next year. It is also testing the drug in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and geographic atrophy that is tied to age-related macular degeneration.
Regeneron and Alnylam’s collaboration on cemdisiran dates back to 2019, when the two companies struck a broad research alliance. They amended their partnership last year, with Regeneron taking a global license to cemdisiran and responsibility for its continued development.

The drug works by RNA interference, a cellular process Alnylam has successfully co-opted to develop drugs that can shut down production of target proteins. In cemdisiran’s case, the target is a protein known as complement factor 5, or C5, which plays an important role in the body’s immune response.

In people with myasthenia gravis, the body’s normal immune functioning goes awry. Abnormal antibodies activate the signaling cascade of which C5 is a part and inadvertently impede communication between nerves and muscles. The result is debilitating muscular weakness that’s associated with intense tiredness and difficulty speaking, swallowing or moving.

Regeneron’s study, dubbed NIMBLE, tested cemdisiran alone and cemdisiran with the company’s antibody pozelimab in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis who were positive for antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor — a telltale sign of the disease. Treatment was compared to placebo.

Both regimens dramatically reduced complement factory activity: cemdisiran by 74% on average and the combination by nearly 99%.

However, cemdisiran monotherapy showed numerically greater treatment effects at 24 weeks than the combination on two scales used to assess disease severity and its effect on daily life.

“The results of the NIMBLE trial confirm that, in myasthenia gravis, robust efficacy can be achieved without complete complement blockade, whereas in other diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, complete inhibition is likely to be necessary,” L. Andres Sirulnik, Regeneron’s head of hematology clinical development, said in the company’s statement.

Regeneron noted the placebo-adjusted treatment effect observed for cemdisiran was similar or greater to what currently approved C5-inhibiting drugs showed in clinical testing.

However, David Risinger, an analyst at Leerink Partners, wrote in a client note that cemdisiran’s effect appears to “fall short” of other myasthenia gravis treatments that work by blocking a receptor known as FcRn.

Raymond James analyst Sean McCutcheon, meanwhile, described the combination in a separate client note as “not viable” in myasthenia gravis. “This comes as a disappointment, as the company hoped the combination approach would exceed the cemdisiran monotherapy arm and potentially look competitive relative to FcRn blockers, which it does not,” he wrote.

There were no meningococcal infections in any study participant, Regeneron noted. Infections are important to monitor when patients are taking drugs that inhibit components of the immune system, like C5. No participants taking cemdisiran monotherapy discontinued treatment due to side effects through week 24, Regeneron added.

The most common adverse reactions emerging during cemdisiran treatment were upper respiratory tract and urinary tract infections, common cold and headache. Serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 3% of patients given cemdisiran, 9% taking the combination and 14% of those given placebo.

During an extension period of the study, a patient in the cemdisiran group died from pneumonia, while another in the combination arm died from septic shock. Both individuals were taking immuno-suppressive therapies at the same time as treatment.

Regeneron plans to present full data from the trial at an upcoming medical meeting. Shares in the company rose by about 1% Tuesday, as did Alnylam’s stock.

https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/regeneron-myasthenia-gravis-cemdisiran-alnylam-study-results/758607/

Trump Administration Eyes Equity Stakes in Top Defense Contractors After Intel Deal

 

• The Trump administration is looking into taking stakes in top defense contractors, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on CNBC Tuesday.
• The comments come after President Trump said yesterday that he plans to make more equity deals like the one he announced last week with embattled chipmaker Intel.
• The Trump administration's stated interest in growing its ownership and influence in private businesses marks a notable shift in the approach of the federal government, which has typically reserved such measures for times of extreme stress.
  

The Trump administration is looking into taking stakes in top defense contractors, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, after its deal for a 10% stake in Intel (INTC). 

"There's a monstrous discussion about defense," the Cabinet secretary told CNBC in a televised interview Tuesday, suggesting a number of defense companies that count the U.S. government as a major client could be potential targets.1 

"If we are adding fundamental value to your business, I think it's fair for Donald Trump to think about the American people," Lutnick added.

Lutnick pointed to Lockheed Martin (LMT), which made nearly three-quarters of its sales from deals with the U.S. government in 2024—including 65% from the Department of Defense, as a prime example.2 The company is "basically an arm of the U.S. government," he said.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Investopedia, "As we did in his first term, we are continuing our strong working relationship with President Trump and his Administration to strengthen our national defense."

Trump Said He Plans More Equity Deals Like Intel 

Lutnick's comments come after President Trump said yesterday that he plans to make more equity deals like the one he announced last week with embattled chipmaker Intel, which is being funded by awards under the CHIPS Act, though some Wall Street analysts have suggested similar agreements may not hold as much appeal for companies on stronger footing.

The Trump administration's stated interest in expanding its ownership and influence in private businesses also marks a noteworthy shift in the approach of the federal government, which has typically reserved such moves for times of extreme stress, drawing some criticism from members of his own party concerned about state overreach.3

Shares of Lockheed Martin were up about 1% in recent trading. They've lost roughly 7% of their value since the start of the year, after taking a hit last month on the heels of a weakened outlook and reported losses connected to multiple programs. 

https://www.investopedia.com/trump-administration-eyes-equity-stakes-in-top-defense-contractors-after-intel-deal-11797648

INOVIO to Begin Rolling Submission of BLA for INO-3107 for Papillomatosis

 Complete submission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) remains on track for 2H25 with the goal of file acceptance by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by end of 2025

 INOVIO (NASDAQ: INO), a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing DNA medicines to help treat and protect people from HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, today announced that the FDA has notified INOVIO that it agrees with its rolling submission timeline for the BLA for INO-3107 as a treatment for adults with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP.) INOVIO anticipates completing its submission to the FDA in the coming months and requesting priority review, with the goal of file acceptance by the FDA by the end of 2025.

RRP is a debilitating and rare disease caused primarily by HPV-6 and/or HPV-11. RRP is characterized by the development of small, wart-like growths, or papillomas, in the respiratory tract. While papillomas are generally benign, they can cause severe, life-threatening airway obstruction and respiratory complications. RRP can also significantly affect quality of life for patients by affecting the voice box, limiting the ability to speak effectively. Surgery to remove papillomas is the standard of care for RRP; however, the papillomas often grow back. INOVIO's market research to date with patients and healthcare professionals indicates that a reduction of even one surgery matters, because every surgery poses a significant risk of causing permanent damage to the vocal cords and comes with potential costs to the patient, including adverse impacts to both quality of life and finances. The most widely cited U.S. epidemiology data published in 1995 estimated that there were 14,000 active cases and about 1.8 per 100,000 new cases of RRP in adults each year.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inovio-begin-rolling-submission-bla-120500663.html

ImmunityBio reports promising results in glioblastoma treatment trial

 ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a market capitalization of $2.13 billion, announced early findings from its pilot study of a chemotherapy-free treatment regimen for recurrent glioblastoma brain tumors, reporting disease control in all five initial patients. 

The experimental treatment combines ANKTIVA, an IL-15 agonist designed to enhance natural killer cell activity, with NK cell therapy and the Optune Gio Tumor Treating Fields device. According to the company, three of the five patients showed tumor response, with two achieving near complete response, while the remaining two patients maintained stable disease. 

Dr. Simon Khagi, Medical Director of Neuro-Oncology at Hoag Family Cancer Institute and principal investigator for the study, noted the significance of these early results. "In my years of treating patients with glioblastoma I have never experienced these near complete responses as well as the rapidity of the response as seen in these patients to date," he stated in the press release.

Glioblastoma affects approximately 12,000 Americans annually and has a particularly poor prognosis, with five-year survival rates of just 9% for patients aged 45-54 and 6% for those aged 55-64, according to data cited by the company.

The company reported that ANKTIVA treatment increased absolute lymphocyte count in all five patients who had experienced lymphopenia following standard radiation and chemotherapy. Based on these preliminary findings, ImmunityBio plans to initiate a randomized Phase 2 trial targeting second-line glioblastoma patients with recurring disease. With revenue of $56.6 million in the last twelve months and projected sales growth of 6.34% for the current year, the company continues to invest heavily in its clinical programs.

ANKTIVA is currently FDA-approved in combination with BCG for treating patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ.

The small sample size of this initial cohort limits definitive conclusions about the treatment’s efficacy, and further studies will be needed to validate these early results. 

In other recent news, ImmunityBio has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate ANKTIVA for treating long COVID. The trial aims to assess the safety of ANKTIVA in up to 40 participants, focusing on its impact on lymphocyte counts. Additionally, the company has reported promising results from its QUILT-106 Phase I trial, where its CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy achieved complete responses in two patients with late-stage Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. These patients have maintained remission for six months, showcasing the potential of this novel cancer therapy.

Furthermore, ImmunityBio received FDA authorization for Expanded Access to ANKTIVA for treating lymphopenia in adults with refractory or relapsed solid tumors. This approval marks a significant milestone, as ANKTIVA is the first therapy with a defined mechanism to restore NK and T cells without increasing immunosuppressive Tregs. The company’s regulatory achievements have led H.C. Wainwright to maintain a Buy rating on ImmunityBio, with a price target of $8.00. These developments highlight ImmunityBio’s ongoing efforts to advance its therapeutic platforms in both cancer and long COVID treatment.

https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/immunitybio-reports-promising-results-in-glioblastoma-treatment-trial-93CH-4210907

'Meta to spend tens of millions on pro-AI super PAC'

 Meta plans to launch a super PAC to support California candidates favoring a light-touch approach to AI regulation, Politico reports. The news comes as other Silicon Valley behemoths, like Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, pledge $100 million for a new pro-AI super PAC. 

Meta will pour tens of millions into its new group, dubbed Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, according to Politico. Brian Rice, Meta’s VP of public policy and head of the new PAC, has argued that Sacramento’s regulatory environment “could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put California’s technology leadership at risk.”

Meta’s lobbying force earlier this year targeted state senator Scott Wiener’s SB-53 bill that would require AI firms to publish safety and security protocols and issue reports when safety incidents occur. Last year, it helped kill the Kids Online Safety Act that was widely expected to pass. 

The social media giant has already donated to various down-ballet candidates from both parties. This new PAC signals an intent to influence statewide elections, including the next governor’s race in 2026.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/26/meta-to-spend-tens-of-millions-on-pro-ai-super-pac/