TARA-002 selected for FDA manufacturing development and readiness pilot programNEW YORK, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TARA), a clinical-stage company developing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted both Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations for TARA-002, the Company’s investigational cell-based therapy, for the treatment of pediatric patients wit ...

SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (“MapLight”) (Nasdaq: MPLT) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to ML-007C-MA, an investigational novel M1/M4 muscarinic agonist, for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Alzheimer’s disease psychosis (ADP). The Fast Track process is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of investigational therapies for serio ...

Core Insights - Invivyd, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for VYD2311, a monoclonal antibody candidate aimed at preventing COVID-19 [1][2] Group 1: FDA Fast Track Designation - Fast Track designation allows for expedited development and review of drugs addressing serious conditions and unmet medical needs, potentially leading to priority review and reduced regulatory timelines [2] - VYD2311 is specifically designated for individuals with underlying risk factors for severe COVID-19 [2] Group 2: Clinical Trials - The DECLARATION trial is a Phase 3, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VYD2311 in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 [4][7] - The trial will enroll approximately 1,770 participants, including adults and adolescents, and will compare a single or monthly dose of VYD2311 against a placebo [4][7] - Top-line data from the DECLARATION trial is expected by mid-2026 [3] Group 3: Product Information - VYD2311 is a novel monoclonal antibody developed to address the urgent need for new prophylactic and therapeutic options against COVID-19 [5] - The antibody is engineered using Invivyd's proprietary technology platform and is designed to neutralize contemporary virus lineages [6] - VYD2311 shares the same antibody backbone as other investigational monoclonal antibodies in Invivyd's pipeline, which have shown promising results in clinical trials [6] Group 4: Company Overview - Invivyd, Inc. is focused on delivering protection from serious viral infectious diseases, starting with SARS-CoV-2 [8] - The company utilizes a unique integrated technology platform to develop and adapt antibodies for various viral threats [8]

Core Insights - Adagene Inc. (ADAG) received Fast Track designation from the FDA for its lead immuno-oncology candidate, muzastotug (ADG126), in combination with Merck's Keytruda for treating adult patients with microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS mCRC) without active liver metastases [1][6] - Following the announcement, ADAG shares increased by 13.8% [1][7] - The Fast Track designation aims to expedite the development and review of therapies for serious diseases with unmet medical needs [2] Company Overview - Muzastotug is a next-generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody developed using proprietary SAFEbody masking technology, which may improve survival and quality of life compared to conventional therapies [5][7] - The ongoing phase II study has primary and secondary endpoints focused on overall response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival [6][8] - A phase III study is planned to start in 2027, contingent on continued positive clinical results [8] Market Performance - Over the past year, ADAG's shares have declined by 6.9%, contrasting with a 16.3% rise in the industry [4] - The Fast Track designation allows for more frequent interactions with the FDA and potential rolling reviews of future marketing applications [8]

Core Insights - The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to QTORIN™ rapamycin for the treatment of angiokeratomas, highlighting its potential to address a significant unmet medical need [1][2][3] - Palvella Therapeutics plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial for QTORIN™ rapamycin in the second half of 2026, following discussions with the FDA [1][4] Company Overview - Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for serious, rare skin diseases without FDA-approved treatments [5] - The company is developing a pipeline of product candidates based on its QTORIN™ platform, with QTORIN™ rapamycin as the lead candidate targeting microcystic lymphatic malformations, cutaneous venous malformations, and clinically significant angiokeratomas [5] Industry Context - Angiokeratomas are chronic skin lesions with no FDA-approved therapies, affecting an estimated 50,000 diagnosed patients in the U.S. [1][2] - The FDA's Fast Track program aims to expedite the development and review of drugs for serious conditions, facilitating earlier access for patients [3]

Core Insights - The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to QTORIN™ rapamycin for the treatment of angiokeratomas, highlighting its potential to address a significant unmet medical need [1][2][3] - Palvella Therapeutics plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial for QTORIN™ rapamycin in the second half of 2026, following discussions with the FDA [1][4] Company Overview - Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for serious, rare skin diseases without FDA-approved treatments [5] - The company is developing a pipeline of product candidates based on its QTORIN™ platform, with QTORIN™ rapamycin as the lead candidate targeting microcystic lymphatic malformations, cutaneous venous malformations, and clinically significant angiokeratomas [5][6] Industry Context - Angiokeratomas are chronic skin lesions with no FDA-approved therapies, affecting an estimated 50,000 diagnosed patients in the U.S. [1][2] - The FDA's Fast Track program aims to expedite the development and review of drugs for serious conditions, facilitating earlier access for patients [3]

Registration No. 333-291598 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM F-1 As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2025. REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) England and Wales 2834 Not Applicable (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) (IRS Emp ...

Core Insights - MediciNova, Inc. has provided an update on its Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of MN-166 (ibudilast) for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), known as the COMBAT-ALS study, with results presented at the 36th International Symposium on ALS/MND [1][2] Company Overview - MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases, with a late-stage pipeline including MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast) [4][6] Clinical Trial Update - The COMBAT-ALS trial has successfully randomized a total of 234 participants, completing enrollment in September 2025 [5] - The baseline characteristics of participants include a mean age of 60.6 years, with 36.8% female and 63.2% male, and a racial distribution predominantly Caucasian (90.2%) [5] - The mean ALSFRS-R score at screening was 40.6, indicating the severity of the disease among participants [5] Drug Development and Designation - MN-166 (ibudilast) has received Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the FDA, as well as Orphan Designation from the European Commission for ALS treatment [3][2] - The drug is also in late-stage development for other neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, including progressive multiple sclerosis and glioblastoma [3][4] Future Expectations - Top-line data from the COMBAT-ALS study is anticipated by the end of 2026, with the company expressing hope that MN-166 will provide a significant therapeutic advance for ALS patients [2]

Core Insights - The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to CLN-049 for treating relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), highlighting the urgent need for new treatment options in this area [1][2] - Initial results from the Phase 1 study of CLN-049 indicate meaningful efficacy, including complete responses, suggesting its potential as a novel immunotherapeutic approach for AML [2][4] - CLN-049 is a bispecific T cell engager designed to target FLT3-expressing leukemia cells, making it applicable to a broad population of AML patients regardless of FLT3 mutational status [4][5] Company Overview - Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing first- or best-in-class therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer, leveraging expertise in T cell engagers [8] - The company is advancing its clinical-stage pipeline with a rigorous scientific approach aimed at delivering new standards of care for patients [8] Industry Context - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults, with approximately 22,000 new diagnoses annually in the U.S. and around 11,000 deaths [6] - Despite recent advances, the five-year survival rate for patients with relapsed or refractory AML is 10% or less, indicating a significant unmet medical need for effective therapies [7] - Currently, there are no approved immunotherapies for AML, underscoring the critical demand for innovative treatment options [7]

Core Insights - Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced a patient treated with Namodenoson has achieved an overall survival of 9 years with a complete response to treatment [1][2] Company Overview - Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. is a biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary small molecule drugs for oncological and inflammatory diseases [1][7] - The company is advancing its lead drug candidate, Namodenoson, which is currently in a pivotal Phase III clinical study for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [3][7] Clinical Development - Namodenoson has shown promising results in a completed Phase II study, with a patient remaining cancer-free for 9 years [2][4] - The drug is being evaluated in multiple clinical trials, including a Phase IIb trial for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer [6][7] - The U.S. FDA and European Medicines Agency have granted Namodenoson Orphan Drug status and Fast Track status for HCC treatment [3][7] Market Potential - The global market for HCC treatments is projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2027 for the G8 countries, driven by the need for effective and safe treatment options [5] - Liver cancer accounts for over 700,000 deaths globally each year, highlighting the urgent need for new therapies [5] Drug Mechanism - Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that selectively binds to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), which is highly expressed in diseased cells, contributing to its excellent safety profile [6]