DUBLIN, Ohio, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today announced the launch of the Cardinal Health™ One Voice Initiative for pharmacy advocacy, which provides direct financial assistance to state pharmacy associations for the purpose of supporting independent pharmacists' advocacy efforts.  This investment furthers Cardinal Health's longstanding advocacy around the future of independent pharmacies and ongoing partnerships with industry organizations to support pharmacists' efforts to ...

Core Insights - Daré Bioscience, Inc. has received a $6 million non-dilutive funding installment, increasing total funding to approximately $37.8 million out of a potential $49 million for the development of DARE-LARC1, a contraception-focused application of its intelligent drug delivery system [1][10] - DARE-LARC1 is a preclinical-stage long-acting reversible contraceptive utilizing a programmable drug delivery device to administer levonorgestrel, with broader applications in various chronic conditions [2][6] - The DARE-IDDS platform, originally developed at MIT, has been enhanced by Daré to improve its functionality and is capable of delivering multiple doses over extended periods without the need for recharging or surgical replacement [3][4] Funding and Development - The recent funding milestone will support the advancement of DARE-LARC1 and the development of a versatile drug delivery platform across high-value therapeutic areas [3][10] - Daré is eligible for additional non-dilutive funding of up to approximately $11.2 million, contingent on achieving specified technical milestones [10] Market Potential - The DARE-IDDS platform has potential applications beyond reproductive health, including obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, which could significantly improve patient adherence and reduce healthcare costs [6][7] - The platform's features include precision dosing, extended duration of action, and remote programmability, making it suitable for various therapeutic areas [9] Strategic Partnerships - Daré is actively exploring strategic partnerships to expand the evaluation of the DARE-IDDS platform into additional therapeutic categories [2][10] - The company aims to leverage its innovative technology to address unmet needs in women's health and enhance treatment options [11]

Group 1 - Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will report its second quarter 2025 financial results on August 7, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call will be held at 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day to discuss the financial results and provide a business update [1][2] - The conference call can be accessed via dial-in numbers or a live webcast, with a recommendation to connect 15 minutes prior to the start [2] Group 2 - Crinetics Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for endocrine diseases and related tumors [4] - The lead development candidate, PALSONIFY (paltusotine), is in clinical development for acromegaly and carcinoid syndrome associated with neuroendocrine tumors [4] - Other drug candidates include Atumelnant, which is in development for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, with all candidates being orally delivered small molecules [4]

Core Insights - Cerevance is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and obesity, with presentations scheduled at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025 [1] Group 1: Upcoming Presentations - Cerevance will present a Phase 1 study on CVN293, an investigational inhibitor targeting NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation, on July 28, 2025 [2] - Another presentation will focus on the NETSseq platform, revealing insights into astrocyte function in Alzheimer's disease, scheduled for July 30, 2025 [2] Group 2: NETSseq Platform - The NETSseq platform allows for the identification of subtle molecular changes driving disease progression by analyzing brain tissue from over 20,000 donors aged 8 to 104 [3] - This platform aids in identifying low-level expressed targets and rare cell types, enhancing the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases [3] Group 3: CVN293 Overview - CVN293 is a selective oral inhibitor of KCNK13, aimed at reducing neuroinflammation and potentially modifying disease progression in neurodegenerative disorders [4] - The mechanism of CVN293 may also provide therapeutic benefits for obesity, identified through the NETSseq platform [4] Group 4: Company Pipeline - Cerevance's lead investigational treatment, solengepras, is in Phase 3 development for Parkinson's disease, while CVN766 targets binge eating disorder and schizophrenia [5] - CVN293 represents a novel intervention point for both neurodegenerative disorders and obesity [5]

BOSTON, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ikena Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKNA, “Ikena,” the “Company”) today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) and Glass, Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) recommend that stockholders vote FOR the issuance of shares in connection with the previously disclosed proposed merger with Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals (“Inmagene”) at Ikena’s upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 15, 2025. ISS and Glass Lewis are leading U.S. institutional voting advisory ...

Core Viewpoint - Helix Acquisition Corp. II is set to hold an extraordinary general meeting on August 4, 2025, to discuss the business combination with TheRas, Inc. (BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics), following the SEC's declaration of the registration statement as effective [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Helix Acquisition Corp. II is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that raised $184 million in its initial public offering on February 9, 2024, and is sponsored by Cormorant Asset Management [5]. - TheRas, Inc. (BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel small molecule therapeutics targeting RAS and PI3Kα malignancies [4]. Business Combination Details - The business combination agreement was finalized on February 28, 2025, and is subject to various conditions before closing [6]. - Upon completion of the transaction, the company will be renamed "BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics" [6]. - The proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Helix's shareholders of record as of June 30, 2025, for their consideration [2][6].

Core Insights - Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. announced presentations on MIPLYFFA (arimoclomol) at the NNPDF Conference, highlighting its role as the first FDA-approved treatment for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) [1][2] - MIPLYFFA is indicated for use in combination with miglustat for treating neurological manifestations of NPC in patients aged 2 years and older [7][6] Presentation and Research Findings - Dr. Barbara K. Burton presented an overview of MIPLYFFA, emphasizing its unique mechanism that improves lysosomal function and halts disease progression at 12 months in a pivotal study [2][3] - The pivotal trial demonstrated that arimoclomol combined with miglustat halted disease progression compared to placebo, confirmed by a 48-month open-label extension study [4][6] - Two posters were presented: one detailing long-term effectiveness and safety of arimoclomol, and another providing mechanistic evidence of arimoclomol's action through the CLEAR network [4][5] Drug Mechanism and Clinical Significance - MIPLYFFA enhances the activation of transcription factors TFEB and TFE3, leading to the upregulation of CLEAR genes and improved lysosomal function [6][17] - The drug has shown to reduce unesterified cholesterol in NPC fibroblasts, although the clinical significance of this finding remains to be fully understood [6] Company Overview - Zevra Therapeutics focuses on developing therapies for rare diseases with limited treatment options, aiming to create transformational therapies through data-driven strategies [18]

Core Insights - MiNK Therapeutics has published a significant case study demonstrating the efficacy of its allogeneic iNKT cell therapy, agenT-797, in achieving complete and durable remission in a patient with metastatic testicular cancer who had previously failed multiple treatments [1][2][3] Group 1: Clinical Evidence - The case study published in Nature's Oncogene details a patient who achieved complete clinical, radiologic, and biochemical remission after receiving a single infusion of agenT-797 alongside nivolumab, with no evidence of disease over two years later [2] - The patient had previously undergone multiple lines of therapy, including platinum-based chemotherapy and various immune checkpoint inhibitors, highlighting the potential of iNKT cell therapy in heavily pre-treated patients [2][3] - MiNK presented additional data at the 2025 AACR Immuno-Oncology meeting, showing immune activation and early signals of tumor control in patients with gastric cancer who were previously refractory to checkpoint inhibitors [3][4] Group 2: Mechanism and Development - AgenT-797 is designed to harness both innate and adaptive immunity, functioning as a "master regulator" that combines the cytotoxic capabilities of NK cells with T-cell-like antigen recognition [7] - The therapy is scalable and off-the-shelf, aimed at providing accessible treatment options for patients with solid tumors and severe pulmonary inflammation [8] - MiNK is actively enrolling patients in an ongoing Phase 2 trial for gastric cancer, with further readouts expected in the coming months [4]

Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Getty Images Merck's recent acquisition announcement sends a strong signal regarding its urgency to tackle the impending Keytruda patent cliff. The pharmaceutical leader has made an agreement to acquire the COPD drug manufacturer Verona Pharma for $10 billion, adding yet another potential blockbuster to its expanding collection of post-Keytruda assets. The Verona Deal: What Merck Gets The acquisition of Verona Pharma is a step forward, yet it also underscores the ...

We are talking to industry constantly to figure out how we can be helpful. Which of their products being proposed are in line with our national priorities. That is meeting a large unmet public health need.Domesticating manufacturing as a national security issue. Increasing the affordability of drugs, which is an access problem. This president does not like to see Americans getting ripped off.And we've been paying more for drugs than in many wealthy countries around the world. Can you do anything about that. ...