> Cancer Research UK committed £16 million ($23 million) to research projects designed to tackle hard-to-treat cancers. The funding includes £4 million for Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre, which will use the cash to research how tumors respond to immunotherapy with a view to improving its ability to identify patients who are likely to react well to particular treatments. The nonprofit is splitting the remaining £12 million between teams building a postmortem tissue bank, working on radiotherapy delivery and researching the molecular causes of brain cancer. Statement
> Ipsen (EPA:IPN) teamed up with Singapore’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) to study the intracellular trafficking of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). The end goal is to facilitate the design of novel therapeutic toxins capable of treating neurological disorders. In working toward this target, Ipsen will contribute its expertise in BoNT recombinant engineering while IMCB will chip in its toxin trafficking know-how. Release
> A1M Pharma partnered with CSL Behring to investigate the therapeutic potential of combining alpha 1 microglobulin (A1M) with hemopexin, haptoglobin and other proteins extracted during the fractionation of human plasma. “We are truly excited about the potential of these combined proteins and are eager to explore the differential actions of our proteins, haptoglobin and hemopexin, in combination with A1M,” CSL SVP Andrew Nash said in a statement. Each company will cover its own costs. Release
> Celyad ($CYAD) struck a deal to extract itself from its 5-year lease of a floor of the Minnesota BioBusiness Center. The Belgian biotech entered into the lease approximately one year ago, only to rethink its plans after discovering it would cost more than expected to construct a production plant at the site. Mayo Clinic, which moved its employees off the floor so Celyad could take over the space, has now agreed to reoccupy the area. Celyad will continue paying its $22,444.50-a-month rent until the end of September, at which time it will pay a termination fee of $111,549.18. Post-Bulletin
> Wilson Therapeutics (STO:WTX) wrapped up enrollment in its Phase II trial. The study, which is looking at the effect of Decuprate on people with Wilson disease, has now enrolled 28 patients, 6 of whom have completed 24 weeks of treatment and continued into the extension phase of the trial. “With the possibility of once daily dosing that could improve patient convenience and adherence, a successful outcome for the trial should lead to significant improvements for Wilson disease patients,” Yale Medical Center’s Dr. Michael Schilsky said in a statement. Release
> Genmab (CPH:GEN) unveiled top-line data from a Phase III trial of daratumumab in combination with Celgene’s ($CELG) Revlimid and the steroid dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The combination outperformed a mix of Revlimid and dexamethasone in terms of progression-free survival, resulting in the trial hitting its primary endpoint at a preplanned interim analysis. Genmab intends to discuss the data with regulators ahead of planned regulatory filings. Statement