Biocon is progressing trials for biosimilar rivals to Amgen’s Prolia/Xgeva (denosumab) and J&J’s Stelara (ustekinumab), even as it gears for other large opportunities coming its way via the Viatris deal including for blockbusters Humira and Eylea.

Biocon is progressing trials for biosimilar rivals to Amgen’s Prolia/Xgeva (denosumab) and J&J’s Stelara (ustekinumab), even as it gears for other large opportunities coming its way via the Viatris deal including for blockbusters Humira and Eylea.

First-in-class active-site polymerase inhibitor yields Phase Ib/IIa data showing suppression of HBV DNA. It also demonstrated a good safety profile with normalization of liver enzymes.

There is no shortage of news relating to potential new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. Among other things, zapnometinib, an antiviral compound being developed by German firm Atriva, has shown strong efficacy against Omicron in a Phase I study. Also, Sweden’s ISR and Iconovo have expanded their collaboration deal to accelerate the development of an inhaled COVID-19 vaccine.