The private British biotech announced positive results from its Phase IIa study of BPL-003, which it said support its Phase IIb study of the same DMT-based drug.

Pharma will partner with SyntheX on targeted protein degradation, with Autolus on cell therapy safety. Novo Nordisk gets rights to Ventus’s lead compound in NASH and chronic kidney disease.

By hijacking a process that cells use to keep themselves shipshape, targeted protein degradation has become a hot new area of drug development. In Vivo takes an in-depth look at the field ahead of a wave of data expected this year from early candidates that will give some insight into whether this strategy will truly open a new way to combat disease.

Evolving challenges will keep the COVID-19 pipeline active, while oncology, immunology and CNS are areas also expected to see much progress in 2022. Industry executives look forward to the year in therapeutic R&D.