EuroBiotech Report—GW’s trial fail, Arix-Ipsen, Medigene T-cell trial and Santhera in DMD

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly EuroBiotech Report. We start this week with weak data from GW Pharmaceuticals. The cannabinoid specialist saw GWP42006 fall short in a midphase focal seizure trial, but it is holding out hope the drug can go on to shine in autism spectrum disorders. In the U.K., Arix Bioscience added Ipsen to its growing stable of pharma partners. Medigene got the all-clear to start testing its T-cell receptor therapy in humans. Santhera, wounded by regulatory blows, secured the chance to offer Raxone to Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients through an expanded access program. And more.—Nick Taylor  

1. GW cannabinoid drug fails midphase epilepsy trial

GW Pharmaceuticals’ GWP42006 failed to outperform placebo in a phase 2a focal seizure trial. The setback wiped 5% off GW’s stock and dented the prospects of the cannabidivarin candidate.

2. Ipsen joins Arix’s growing pool of pharma partners

Ipsen has become the latest drugmaker to start working with Arix Bioscience. The French biopharma follows Fosun, Takeda and UCB to become the fourth company to secure a connection to Arix’s stable of startups.

3. Medigene gets OK for first trial of T-cell receptor therapy

Medigene has been given a green light by regulators in Germany to start human trials of MDG1011, the lead candidate to come out of its modified T-cell program.

4. Santhera offers Raxone to U.S. DMD patients through expanded access program

Santhera has suffered several regulatory setbacks around Raxone (idebenone) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In lack of official approvals, the company is offering the drug for patients in the U.S. through an expanded access program operated by Clinigen.

And more articles of note>>