> Shares in GeNeuro fell 65% after its multiple sclerosis candidate failed to cut the number of cerebral Gad-enhancing lesions in a phase 2b trial. The study of the Servier-partnered antibody will continue up to the 12-month readout. But the failure of GNbAC1 to outperform placebo in terms of reducing lesions or relapses has dampened expectations. Statement (PDF)
> AbbVie pulled a phase 1 trial of ABBV-553 prior to enrollment on safety grounds. The action raises doubts about the future of the RORγT inverse agonist, which emerged from AbbVie’s work with French biotech Inventiva. Protocol
> Seattle Genetics exercised its option to co-develop tisotumab vedotin with Genmab. The Danish drugmaker is currently testing the antibody-drug conjugate in a phase 1/2 trial in patients with solid tumors. Seattle Genetics and Genmab will split all future costs and profits. Statement
> Amcure received a €1.8 million grant to support the development of CD44v6 inhibitor AMC303. The German biotech is currently testing the drug in patients with metastatic epithelial tumors in a phase 1/2 trial. Release
> The FDA restated its concerns about the safety and efficacy of Kamada’s inhaled alpha-1 antitrypsin candidate. The Israeli biotech wants to run a phase 3 trial of the formulation but has yet to persuade the FDA to authorize it to proceed with the study. Statement