Lilly's eczema drug shows durable long-term response in late-stage study

Eli Lilly said on Friday that its eczema drug showed durable ‌results in a late-stage post-marketing study, ‌such as relief from persistent itch for up to four years in ​patients with the skin condition.

Here are more details:

* A once-monthly injection of the drug, Ebglyss - approvedin the United States in 2024 - showed durable response ‌inpatients with moderate-to-severe ⁠atopic dermatitis, which causesintense itching. * The injectable treatment is approved for adults andchildren ⁠12 years and older with moderate-to-severe eczema whocannot use topical therapies. * In the study, majority ​of patients ​achieved near-completeskin clearance ​and itch relief with ‌up to four years ofcontinuous treatment, Lilly said. * Ebglyss' safety in the first year of the study wasconsistent with its known profile, regardless of dosingfrequency, and no new safety issues were ‌observed, the companysaid. * The study ​will continue for an ​additional year oftreatment. * Lilly ​last year reported results from another ‌trialshowing Ebglyss provided a ​durable response ​when dosed everyfour or eight weeks. The drugmaker said it has submitted thedata to ​the U.S. Food ‌and Drug Administration for a potentiallabel update.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lillys-eczema-drug-shows-durable-135620304.html

Pharming Group receives positive CHMP opinion for immunodefocoency treatment

 

• If approved, Joenja® (leniolisib) would become the first approved treatment in the European Union for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) syndrome (APDS), a rare primary immunodeficiency
• Decision based on Phase II/III clinical data demonstrating statistically significant impact on measures of immune dysregulation and immunodeficiency
• Final European Commission decision expected in Q2 2026

https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/pharming-group-receives-positive-chmp-opinion-for-joenja-leniolisib-for-the-treatment-of-apds-in-adult-and-pediatric-patients-12-years-and-older

Citigroup (CITI) Stock: Slides to $108 Amid Regional Bank Acquisition Plans

• Citigroup drops 3.9% to $108 as acquisition talks gain traction
• Citi explores $500B bank deals to boost US market position
• Divestitures unlock $6.5B capital for Citi expansion strategy
• Citi stock lags despite strong 78% corporate banking growth
• Citi advances Bitcoin custody and blockchain payment plans

Citigroup (CITI) shares fell to $108.01, down 3.91%, as selling pressure intensified during the trading session. The stock declined steadily and reflected cautious sentiment around strategic expansion plans. However, the drop came despite strong capital positioning and ongoing restructuring efforts.

Citigroup Inc., C

Acquisition Plans Signal Strategic Expansion

Citigroup is evaluating a potential acquisition of a US regional bank or brokerage to expand its domestic presence. The move aims to boost deposits, increase branch reach, and strengthen lending capabilities. Therefore, the bank seeks to improve its competitive position against larger US peers.

Discussions have included targets with about $500 billion in assets and established brokerage firms. Potential names include firms like Stifel and Raymond James, which offer strong retail and advisory networks. However, any deal would require regulatory approval due to existing consent orders.

CEO Jane Fraser continues to push a strategy focused on simplifying operations while expanding core businesses. The acquisition plan reflects a shift toward strengthening US operations after years of international restructuring. Consequently, the strategy aligns with efforts to enhance scale and profitability.

Capital Position Strengthened by Recent Divestitures

Citigroup has built a strong capital base through recent asset sales and restructuring initiatives. In February 2026, the bank completed the sale of its Russian subsidiary to Renaissance Capital. The transaction generated an estimated $4 billion in Common Equity Tier 1 capital benefit.

Citigroup sold a 49% stake in its Mexican consumer unit Banamex. The deal added roughly $2.5 billion and improved liquidity for future investments. Moreover, executives indicated no further Banamex divestitures are expected this year.

These transactions have freed capital that can support acquisitions and domestic expansion plans. Therefore, Citigroup now holds flexibility to deploy funds into growth-focused initiatives. The strategy reflects a clear shift toward optimizing balance sheet strength and capital allocation.

Financial Growth and Digital Asset Integration Plans

Citigroup reported strong corporate banking performance in recent results. Corporate banking revenue rose 78% year over year to $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. This growth reflects increased activity among institutional and wholesale clients.

The stock remains below the analyst consensus price target of $135. The current trading level indicates a gap between market valuation and projected expectations. Strategic execution may influence future price movement.

Citigroup has developed infrastructure for Bitcoin custody and digital wallet services. The bank plans to integrate digital assets into traditional financial systems with full risk controls. Additionally, it is exploring stablecoins and blockchain-based deposit tokens to improve cross-border payments efficiency.

https://coincentral.com/citigroup-citi-stock-slides-to-108-amid-regional-bank-acquisition-plans/

Autolus (NASDAQ: AUTL) forecasts 2026 AUCATZYL revenue of $120–$135M after $74.3M debut

Autolus Therapeutics reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results that reflect its first commercial year for AUCATZYL. Net product revenue reached $23.3 million in Q4 2025 and $74.3 million for the full year, driving total 2025 revenue to $75.4 million including license revenue.

Autolus projects 2026 AUCATZYL net product revenue of $120 million to $135 million and expects to achieve a shift to positive gross margin in 2026 as volumes rise and manufacturing efficiency improves. Cost of sales were $96.4 million in 2025, research and development expenses $117.7 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses $131.9 million, resulting in a full-year net loss of $287.5 million.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $300.7 million as of December 31, 2025, down from $588.0 million a year earlier, and the company expects this funding, together with anticipated AUCATZYL revenue, to support operations into Q4 2027. Autolus also highlighted advancing trials of obe-cel in pediatric B-ALL, lupus nephritis, progressive multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus with multiple data readouts expected between year-end 2026 and 2028.

https://www.stocktitan.net/sec-filings/AUTL/8-k-autolus-therapeutics-plc-reports-material-event-3225053fbb35.html

MiNK Therapeutics Explores Strategic Partnerships and Trial Collaborations

 MiNK Therapeutics ( INKT +17.13% ▲ ) has issued an announcement.

In response to recent investor inquiries, MiNK Therapeutics clarified that it is in active discussions with multiple parties about potential clinical combination trials involving agenT-797, its proprietary allogeneic iNKT cell therapy. The company is also exploring possible strategic minority investments, underscoring growing external interest in its platform and its applications in critical illness, while emphasizing that no binding agreements for trials or investments have yet been publicly disclosed.

https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/mink-therapeutics-explores-strategic-partnerships-and-trial-collaborations

FDA Clears Lantern Pharma, Starlight Therapeutics to Begin Phase 1 Trial for Pediatric CNS Cancers

Lantern Pharma and Starlight Therapeutics have received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their Investigational New Drug (IND) application for STAR-001. The approval allows the companies to proceed with a planned Phase 1 clinical trial targeting pediatric central nervous system (CNS) cancers. This trial will focus on evaluating the safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy of STAR-001 in children diagnosed with these aggressive forms of cancer.

The upcoming Phase 1 trial marks a significant step in advancing research into treatments for pediatric CNS cancers, which remain among the most challenging to treat. Lantern Pharma and Starlight Therapeutics aim to assess STAR-001’s potential therapeutic benefits through this study. The FDA’s clearance follows a review of preclinical data submitted by the companies, which included information on STAR-001’s mechanism of action and its potential impact on tumor cells in laboratory settings. Further details regarding the timeline or specific locations for the trial were not disclosed at this time.

https://www.geneonline.com/fda-clears-lantern-pharma-and-starlight-therapeutics-to-begin-phase-1-trial-of-star-001-for-pediatric-cns-cancers/

AnaptysBio Advances First Tracks Spin-Off and Governance Changes

 AnaptysBio, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is spinning out First Tracks Biotherapeutics as a separate, clinical-stage biotech focused on next-generation antibody therapeutics targeting immune pathways in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. First Tracks Bio’s initial pipeline includes ANB033 for celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis, rosnilimab for rheumatoid arthritis, and ANB101, supported by an initial cash balance of $180 million and an expected two-year cash runway.

On March 26–27, 2026, AnaptysBio detailed the planned April 20, 2026 spin-off of First Tracks Bio, including a $80 million private placement that forms part of First Tracks’ $180 million launch capital, a one-for-one share distribution to Anaptys stockholders, and Nasdaq listing under the ticker TRAX. The company also terminated its ATM equity program, appointed Susannah Gray to its board, and set executive transition and separation agreements with Dennis Mulroy and Eric Loumeau as Anaptys refocuses on royalty management while First Tracks drives drug development.

https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/anaptysbio-advances-first-tracks-spin-off-and-governance-changes