Clinical progress for three Biotechs

DIAMOND-1 (DIAbetic Macular edema patients ON a Drop) Phase 3 trial by Oculis’ OCS-01 eye drops aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the lead candidate following 52 weeks of treatment in Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) patients. DME is a leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age adults, affecting approximately 37 million people worldwide. With the first patient in Stage 2 of Phase 3 has been treated, the ongoing Stage 2 of the trial aims to enrol 350-400 patients who will be randomised 1:1 to receive OCS-01 or vehicle six times daily for a 6-week induction phase and then three times daily for a subsequent 46-week maintenance phase. The endpoints for Stage 2 will be the same as in Stage 1.

CSEM - EngImmune partners with CSEM
Engimmune Therapeutics AG is a world-class developer of highly targeted, highly potent ‘off-the-shelf’ soluble T-cell receptor drugs (‘TCRs’) based on its cutting-edge proprietary platform technologies to treat solid tumours. The newly inked collaboration with the Swiss Technology Innovation Center CSEM aims to accelerate the identification of safe and effective drugs using Engimmune’s unique platform. This partnership will leverage CSEM’s high-throughput microfluidics technology to speed up the nomination of soluble TCR drug candidates with enhanced affinity, potency, and safety profiles. Engimmune’s platform technologies, comprising genome editing, deep sequencing, functional screening, and AI, will provide a head start in the search for suitable soluble TCR candidates.

Grants to fuel therapies for digital ulcers and Raynaud’s phenomenon
Topadur and its partners have obtained a grant of $1.2 million from Innosuisse and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), as part of the Swiss bilateral collaborations with other nations. The Swiss startup has joined forces with Juvic Inc. and a research group led by Prof. Hyungil Jung at Yonsei University in South Korea to enhance treatment for patients who develop digital ulcers and suffer from Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Both companies combine their scientific expertise: Topadur has a clinical-stage drug candidate, TOP-N53, capable of regenerating local blood circulation in patients. Juvic has developed biodegradable microneedles that enable intradermal delivery of the drug. This collaboration brings together profound expertise in drug delivery and development, representing a synergy of international knowledge and skills. This new therapeutic approach promises a substantial improvement in the quality of life for patients suffering from Raynaud’s phenomenon. Additionally, its prophylactic use may reduce the risk of digital ulcers.

(Press release/RAN)