The French firm’s vorasidenib, obtained via a 2020 deal with Agios, has met the primary endpoint in a pivotal glioma trial, according to interim data, validating its strategic focus on the oncology space.

The private French firm’s new global head of R&D oncology spoke with Scrip about its two-pronged oncology strategy and its high hopes for the advanced glioma candidate, vorasidenib, which may improve upon Tibsovo.

Japanese bioventure Stella Pharma is re-designing a Phase II trial for its glioma candidate Steboronine after it was determined the original primary endpoint was not robust enough to prove efficacy, a challenge faced by some others working in the difficult indication. The drug was approved for head and neck cancer in Japan in 2020 and Stella has already announced a new collaboration which may be key to moving forward. 

Prostate cancer patients press HHS for administrative hearing on march-in rights for patents covering Astellas’ Xtandi. While previous efforts have failed, petitioners believe they may have a shot this time around given Biden Administration and HHS Secretary Becerra’s views on the issue.