Biotech Updates: Allakos Slips Negative Late-Stage Data, Pfizer & Merck Announce Fresh COVID-19 Pill Deal With UK

An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill called molnupiravir being developed by Merck & Co. Inc. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is seen in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on May 17, 2021. Merck & Co. Inc./Handout via Reuters

Here’s a roundup of top developments in the biotech space this week.

Allakos’s Lirentelimab Flunks Late-Stage Studies in Patients With Inflammation in Digestive Tract

Allakos, Inc. announced data from ENIGMA 2 Phase 3 study of lirentelimab in patients with biopsy confirmed eosinophilic gastritis and/or eosinophilic duodenitis and KRYPTOS Phase 2/3 study of lirentelimab in patients with biopsy-confirmed eosinophilic esophagitis.

Both ENIGMA 2 and KRYPTOS studies met their histologic co-primary endpoints, but did not achieve statistical significance on the patient reported symptomatic co-primary endpoints.

FDA Imposes Clinical Hold on Injectable Form of Gilead’s HIV Drug Candidate Due to Concerns Over Vial Quality

Gilead Sciences Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed a clinical hold on the use of injectable lenacapavir in borosilicate vials in all ongoing clinical studies for HIV treatment and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.