> Argenx’s (EBR:ARGX) treatment for severe IgG-mediated autoimmune disease, ARGX-113, came through a Phase I multiple ascending dose trial. The study of the drug, a modified Fc-portion of an antibody, delivered safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamic data that have encouraged Argenx to go ahead with its plan to move it into Phase II. Argenx expects to start the next study in people with myasthenia gravis by the end of the year. Release
> Onxeo (EPA:ONXEO) committed to starting a clinical trial of a signal interfering DNA molecule designed to interrupt DNA repair in tumor cells next year. Before that, Onxeo must perform preclinical tests of the asset and optimize its manufacturing process, tasks it expects to wrap up before the end of the year. The commitment follows an assessment of the technology Onxeo acquired in its takeover of DNA Therapeutics. Release
> Ablynx (EBR:ABLX) exercised its option to license nebulizer technology from Vectura (LON:VEC) for use in a Phase II trial of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) product. The study will deliver Ablynx’s anti-RSV single-domain antibody using a version of Vectura’s Fox device that has been modified to meet the needs of neonates and infants. Release
> Pierre Fabre signed up to work with researchers at Yale University on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The collaboration will draw on the capabilities of both organizations to advance ADCs identified by Pierre Fabre. In recent years, Castres, France-based Pierre Fabre has repeatedly looked outside of its organization for resources to further its oncology ambitions. Release
> PsiOxus Therapeutics formed an immuno-oncology pact with Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY). The deal sees Bristol-Myers make a one-off upfront payment of $10 million (€9 million) to PsiOxus. In return, Bristol-Myers gains the opportunity to trial its Opdivo in combination with PsiOxus’ enadenotucirev and a time-limited right to exclusive negotiation for the commercial rights to its partner’s product. A Phase I trial is due to start enrolling patients in the third quarter of this year. PsiOxus will run the trial but split the costs with Bristol-Myers. Release
> Heptares Therapeutics teamed up with leadXpro to determine the structures of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). British biotech Heptares, which has built its business on its ability to generate stabilized GPCRs, has turned to leadXpro to gain access to x-ray and free-electron laser technologies. Heptares hopes these approaches will enable it to generate structural information on crystals that traditional x-ray crystallography struggles to capture. Release