EuroBiotech Report: Opdivo combo data, Celyad CAR-T, Evotec-Oxford, Innocoll, Bone Therapeutics and more

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly EuroBiotech Report. We start this week with data from two immuno-oncology hopefuls. Innate Pharma delivered a look at results from a Phase I/II trial of lirilumab in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo. And Celyad posted results from initial explorations of its NKG2D CAR-T cells. Evotec teamed with the University of Oxford to give academics the money and support they need to prepare projects for spinning out. Innocoll flunked a Phase III diabetic foot ulcer trial, sending its share price into freefall. Bone Therapeutics scrapped plans to trial its Preob cell therapy in the U.S. And more. Nick Taylor

1. Innate yo-yos after Opdivo combo data fail to wow

Innate Pharma (EPH:IPH) has posted a look at Phase I/II data on a combination of its lirilumab and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s ($BMY) Opdivo in head and neck cancer. The mix outperformed historic trials of Opdivo in isolation but by less than some hoped, causing the share price of Innate to slide then bounce back as investors digested the data.

2. Celyad posts Phase I data on NKG2D CAR-T cells

Celyad ($CYAD) has posted data from a Phase I dose-escalation trial of its NKG2D CAR-T cells. None of the participants experienced objective responses at doses Celyad thinks are 50 times below efficacious levels, but the company sees the safety profile and short-term CAR-T cell persistence as positives as it heads deeper into development.

3. Evotec, Oxford ally to speed academia-industry transition

Evotec (FRA:EVT) and the University of Oxford have teamed up to bridge the gap between academic research and industry. The initiative will offer funding and access to Evotec’s drug discovery platform to projects that are an experiment or two away from being ready to be spun out into biotech startups or outlicensed.

4. Innocoll crushed after PhIII diabetic foot infection flop

Innocoll ($INNL) saw its stock price tumble 44% in after-hours trading as investors digested news of a Phase III flop. The failure of Cogenzia to improve on standard of care in two diabetic foot ulcer trials leaves the future of the candidate in doubt.

5. Bone Therapeutics cans plan to trial cell therapy in U.S.

Bone Therapeutics (EBR:BOTHE) has scrapped plans to trial its autologous cell therapy Preob in the U.S. The bone fracture specialist had planned to run a Phase IIb/III trial in the U.S. to complement its activities in Europe, but has pulled back from the proposal to focus on its other pipeline prospect.

And more articles of note>>