FDA Approves FILKRI™ (filgrastim-laha), Accord BioPharma’s Biosimilar to NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim)

On February 17, 2026 Accord BioPharma, the U.S. specialty division of Intas Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., focused on the development of oncology, immunology, and critical care therapies, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FILKRI (filgrastim-laha), a biosimilar to NEUPOGEN (filgrastim), for patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy; patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving induction or consolidation chemotherapy; patients with cancer undergoing bone marrow transplantation; patients with severe chronic neutropenia; and patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome).1

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The approval of FILKRI marks the sixth product in Accord BioPharma’s growing portfolio of FDA-approved biosimilars, following the company’s acquisition last year of UDENYCA (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim),2 as well as the seventh approved product in the overall portfolio. With the addition of FILKRI, Accord BioPharma now offers physicians in the U.S. a comprehensive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) portfolio with both long-acting (UDENYCA) and short-acting (FILKRI) biosimilar options to meet the needs of patients, providers, and practices.1,2

Accord has applied for and expects to receive a permanent Q-code from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which will standardize and facilitate the billing and reimbursement process across hospital outpatient, ambulatory surgery center, and physician office settings of care.

Tackling Vital Healthcare Needs
Neutropenia is a common and potentially serious complication of cancer treatment and occurs when white blood cells called neutrophils—which serve as a major line of defense against bacterial and fungal infections—fall below normal levels. This reduction increases a person’s risk of developing an infection. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, or G-CSF, is a growth factor that stimulates the production and release of neutrophils in the body. By accelerating neutrophil recovery, G-CSF can help reduce the duration of neutropenia.3,4

FILKRI belongs to the G-CSF class and is a growth factor manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. FILKRI works by regulating the production of neutrophils within the bone marrow.1

"Cancer patients often face significant challenges with treatment-related neutropenia, which can lead to serious infections, treatment delays, and dose reductions that may compromise therapeutic outcomes," said Chrys Kokino, President, Accord North America. "With FILKRI alongside UDENYCA, the provider-preferred option over Neulasta and all other biosimilars,* we now offer healthcare providers a complete G-CSF portfolio with short- and long-acting biosimilar options. This positions Accord BioPharma as a committed partner in oncology supportive care, expanding access to high-quality biologics."

Demonstrated Biosimilarity and Safety Profile
FILKRI was approved based on two randomized studies in healthy adults, with pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) assessed in one study and safety and immunogenicity evaluated in both, compared with reference product NEUPOGEN. These studies demonstrated the biosimilarity in PD and PK parameters between FILKRI and NEUPOGEN and showed overall safety and immunogenicity similar to NEUPOGEN.5 FILKRI is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, such as filgrastim products or pegfilgrastim products.1

Expanding Access: Accord BioPharma’s Biosimilar Vision
Accord BioPharma believes deeply in the power of biosimilars to reshape the future of treatment. With the support of Intas, an established global leader with nearly five decades of experience, Accord BioPharma is transforming the conventional treatment landscape across several priority therapeutic areas by introducing biosimilars to the U.S. market.

As part of this commitment, Accord BioPharma is rapidly expanding its U.S. portfolio with a strategic goal to launch 20 biosimilar products by 2030, solidifying its position as a reliable partner delivering more affordable, high-quality biologic alternatives. In addition to developing and marketing their own biosimilar products, the company is strategically collaborating with select partners around the world to bring more biosimilars to the U.S. market as swiftly as possible.

"This approval of FILKRI demonstrates our steadfast dedication to expanding access to cost-effective biologic treatments in the critically important field of oncology," said Binish Chudgar, Chairman and Managing Director of Intas Pharmaceuticals. "We’re proud to have one of the largest biosimilar pipelines within the industry. With Accord BioPharma, we’re positioning ourselves as a dependable partner in the United States—one that’s deeply committed to understanding stakeholder priorities and revolutionizing patient access."

(Press release, Accord BioPharma, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662732])

Illumina To Webcast Upcoming Investor Conference

On February 17, 2026 Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) reported that members of its management team will participate at the following investor conference:

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Upcoming Investor Conference

TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference 2026 on March 3, 2026
The fireside chat is scheduled for 12:10pm PT (3:10pm ET).

The webcast can be accessed through the Events & Presentations section of Illumina’s website at investor.illumina.com. A replay will be archived on Illumina’s website for at least 30 days following the event.

(Press release, Illumina, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662731])

Beactica and KU Leuven secure EUR 2.5 million from the European Innovation Council to advance orphan drug BEA-17 to clinical readiness

On February 17, 2026 Beactica Therapeutics AB, a Swedish precision medicine company, reported that it, together with leading glioblastoma researchers at KU Leuven, has been awarded a EUR 2.5 million grant by the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance a precision immune therapy for glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive brain tumour which currently lacks effective treatment.

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In the project GLIOBREAK, Beactica and KU Leuven are joining forces to advance BEA-17, Beactica’s wholly owned, first-in-class degrader of the epigenetic protein complex LSD1–CoREST, together with a biomarker-driven companion diagnostic developed based on research carried out by Professor Frederik De Smet and colleagues at KU Leuven. GLIOBREAK aims to progress this integrated therapeutic-diagnostic approach from a validated laboratory stage to early clinical readiness, positioning the programme at the forefront of immuno-epigenetic therapies for glioblastoma. The 30-month GLIOBREAK project builds on results from the ongoing EU-financed project GLIOMATCH and will be led and coordinated by Beactica. The project is targeting the completion of IND-enabling studies and submission of a regulatory application to either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA), positioning BEA-17 for first-in-human clinical trials.

EIC Transition is a Horizon Europe grant scheme that funds activities to mature and validate technology while in parallel developing business and market readiness. Grants of up to EUR 2.5 million are available, covering 100% of the project costs. The funding is non-dilutive to the company’s shareholders. Beactica and KU Leuven’s proposal was one of only 40 selected for financing out of a total of 611 proposals submitted in the most competitive EIC Transition calls ever.

"We are delighted to receive this prestigious EIC Transition award together with our eminent collaborators at KU Leuven. It is a significant validation of our immuno-epigenetic approach to glioblastoma, a disease with devastating outcomes where patients urgently need new therapeutic options. The partnership with KU Leuven and the recognition from the European Innovation Council position BEA-17 at the forefront of precision medicine," said Beactica’s CEO, Dr. Per Källblad. "This funding enables us to complete our IND-enabling studies and move toward first-in-human trials, bringing this first-in-class LSD1-CoREST degrader closer to patients."

About glioblastoma (GBM)

GBM is the most common and most aggressive brain tumour. Approximately 35,000 people in the U.S. and Europe are diagnosed with GBM each year. The median overall survival is 15 months, and the five-year overall survival is only 5%.

About BEA-17

BEA-17 is a first-in-class small-molecule targeted degrader of lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and its co-factor CoREST. By enhancing antigen presentation, inducing viral mimicry, and reprogramming macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory state, BEA-17 restores immune activity within the tumour microenvironment. In syngeneic animal models of cancer, the candidate drug has shown promising potentiation of immune-modulating treatments across several cancer types, including anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in colon cancer and standard of care treatment (temozolomide and radiation) in glioblastoma. Pharmacokinetic studies of BEA-17 show good blood-brain-barrier penetration and oral availability. BEA-17 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). BEA-17 is wholly owned by Beactica Therapeutics.

(Press release, Beactica, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662730])

Curasight to present at TD Cowen’s 46th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston

On February 17, 2026 Curasight A/S (CPH: CURAS) a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company pioneering first-in-class uPAR-targeted radioligand platform therapies across multiple aggressive solid tumors, reported it will present recent company progress including the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial uTREAT in glioblastoma, at the TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, at 11:50 a.m. Eastern Time / 5:50 p.m. CET in Boston.

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A live audio webcast will be broadcast over the internet simultaneously and will be available in the investor section on Curasight.com approximately 48 hours after the webcast.

During the conference, Curasight management will also hold 1:1 meetings with investors and other industry stakeholders.

The TD Cowen conference is a major investor conference where public and private healthcare companies meet with institutional investors, and large pharma via scheduled 1×1 meetings and presentations combined with fireside chats and innovative panel discussions.

(Press release, Curasight, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662729])

BeOne Medicines to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On February 17, 2026 BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ: ONC; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company, reported that the Company will participate in fireside chats at four upcoming investor conferences:

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TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 9:10 am ET;
Leerink Global Healthcare Conference on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:20 am ET;
Citizens Life Sciences Conference on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 9:35 am ET; and
Barclays 28th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET

Live webcasts of these events can be accessed from the investors section of the Company’s website at View Source Archived replays will be available on the Company’s website.

(Press release, BeOne Medicines, FEB 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234662728])