‍

Plus, news about Aslan, Takeda, Astellas, Sumitomo Mitsui, Kynos Therapeutics, Oculis and Vaxxinity:

‍

Ipsen, Skyhawk Therapeutics pen neurological deal: Ipsen and Skyhawk plan to develop small molecules that can modulate RNA in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion. The upfront payment was not disclosed. The deal focuses on two rare neurological disease targets. Skyhawk is responsible for early research, and Ipsen is responsible for all development after candidate nomination. — Lei Lei Wu

‍

Hepion Pharmaceuticals to wind down NASH trial: The company’s stock $HEPA sunk about 32% on Monday after it announced the end of the Phase 2b trial investigating rencofilstat in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is now often referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Executive chairman John Brancaccio attributed the decision “entirely to resource constraints,” adding that the company is still “committed to its strategic alternative efforts,” which it announced in December. — Katherine Lewin

‍

Aslan Pharmaceuticals touts interim Ph2 data: The penny stock said an interim look showed a statistically significant difference on the primary endpoint, even though it “was not powered” to do so due to a small sample size. Aslan is studying the antibody eblasakimab in atopic dermatitis patients previously treated with Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent. — Max Gelman

‍

A new joint venture for drug discovery in Japan: Takeda, Astellas and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking formed a new company dedicated to building drug discovery programs with assets and technology primarily from Japan. The joint venture plans to support early research and help create startups, and the name of the company has yet to be determined. Toshio Fujimoto, founding CEO of iPark Institute — a life sciences hub in Japan — will lead the joint venture. — Lei Lei Wu

‍

Kynos Therapeutics’ topline Ph1 data: All doses of the private British startup’s KMO inhibitor, called KNS366, were safe and tolerable. Pharmacodynamic data also “clearly” showed it to be a “potent inhibitor of the KMO enzyme.” Kynos emerged from stealth in April 2022 with £9 million. — Max Gelman

‍

Oculis closed a $59 million direct offering. It sold 5 million shares to institutional and existing investors in Iceland. — Jaimy Lee

‍

Vaxxinity plans to delist from the Nasdaq. The company told shareholders that being private “will give us significantly more opportunity and flexibility going forward.” — Jaimy Lee

‍

Skyhawk Contact
Maura McCarthy
Head of Corporate Development
maura@skyhawktx.com