News of Note—Zynerba repeat failure, Fortress spinoff, CEL-SCI lift and more

> A week after Zynerba saw its cannabinoid treatment miss all of its endpoints in epilepsy, it has followed up with a flop in a phase 2 for osteoarthritis with knee pain. “The study did not meet its primary endpoint of reduction from baseline in the weekly mean of the 24-hour average worst pain score at week 12,” the company said, but added there were some glimmers from a “number of secondary endpoints.” Release.

> Fortress Biotech has formed a subsidiary company, Aevitas Therapeutics, to work on new gene therapy approaches for complement-mediated diseases. Its technology, licensed from a “leading university,” could be used toward atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Statement.

> After nearly a year, the FDA has told microcap CEL-SCI that the clinical hold on its phase 3 cancer test with Multikine (leukocyte interleukin) has been removed, and that all clinical trials with the medication under the IND can now fully restart. Release.

> Peregrine will swing the ax on 60 staffers (20% of its workforce) as part of its “series of planned strategic actions to reduce costs and better position the company to achieve overall profitability,” as it also looks out for strategic options for its R&D work. Statement.