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Initiation of Phase 1b/2 AZALOX clinical trial of amsulostat in second blood cancer indication

On July 17, 2025 Syntara Limited (ASX:SNT), a clinical-stage drug development company, reported initiation of AZALOX, a Phase 1b/2 multi-centre study evaluating amsulostat (SNT-5505) in combination with 5-Azacitidine for the treatment of high-risk Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) (Press release, Syntara, JUL 17, 2025, View Source;v=4a466cc3f899e00730cfbfcd5ab8940c41f474b6 [SID1234654426]).

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The study commenced at University Medicine Mannheim (UMM), Germany, the first of nine planned centres expected to enrol patients under the German MDS Study Group. Led by Professor Susanne Saußele and her team, the trial will focus on patients with significant disease severity who are transfusion dependent.

The initial Phase 1b portion of the AZALOX trial will determine the safety profile and recommended dose of amsulostat alongside 5-Azacitidine. The Phase 2 component will then further evaluate safety and efficacy of the selected dose across 30 patients.

Patients eligible for the trial include those with confirmed high-risk MDS or CMML, who are either treatment-naïve or have undergone limited prior treatment with hypomethylating agents.

The trial is financially supported by German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe, DKH), with Heidelberg University sponsoring the study in collaboration with the Coordination Centre for Clinical Studies (KKS) Heidelberg.

Professor Saußele commented: "Our preclinical data suggest that with this combination therapy, we can reactivate the production of red blood cells. With this, we aim to eliminate the need for blood transfusions in the long term and reduce the risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia."

Syntara CEO, Gary Phillips stated: "We are delighted to be working with the German MDS Study Group as they initiate the AZALOX study. This represents an important milestone for amsulostat, leveraging the positive results in myelofibrosis and expanding to a second blood cancer indication. The AZALOX trial builds on promising preclinical data, potentially providing a new treatment option for patients suffering from MDS and CMML."

Triore Secures 22.5 Billion Won in Series B Investment

On July 17, 2025 Triore, a biopharmaceutical company developing new drugs, reported that it has completed a Series B investment round worth 22.5 billion won. This is considered a significant achievement amidst dampened investment sentiment across the bio-healthcare sector.

In this Series B round, Woori Venture Partners, Shinhan Venture Investment, Hyundai Technology Investment, Regent Partners, and Sneak Peek Investment participated as new investors. IMM Investment, LSK Investment, KB Investment, Kiwoom Investment, Shinhan Capital, and Jin & Investment Partners, who participated in the previous Pre-Series A and Series A rounds, made follow-up investments. With this, Triore’s cumulative investment raised has exceeded 41.5 billion KRW. As Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) firms are currently reviewing investments based on collaboration with the business unit, the total investment scale is likely to expand.

Triore is developing ‘TROCAD’, a unique antibody platform capable of improving the therapeutic index of antibody-based therapies, and ‘TROSIG’, a novel Linker-Toxin system that enhances the drug stability and therapeutic efficacy of ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates). The company presented its technology and pipeline at BioUS 2025, held in Boston last June, and these technologies were recognized as innovative solutions capable of overcoming the limitations of existing antibody and ADC therapies.

Triore has accumulated various achievements since its founding in 2021. In 2023, it was selected as a ‘Baby Unicorn’ company by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In the same year, it won the ‘Seoul-BMS Innovation2 Challenge’ and moved into the Seoul Biohub. Subsequently, it was selected as a ‘D-Unicorn’ company in 2024.

Cheon Ji-woong, Managing Director at Woori Venture Partners, a new investor, stated, "Triore is a biotech with the potential to establish itself as a game changer that transcends the limitations of existing treatments in the antibody and ADC fields," adding, "We have high expectations for Triore’s technology as a platform that can advance the ADC sector."

Woo Seong-ho, CEO of Triore, stated, "This investment round is the result of comprehensive recognition of Triore’s technological innovation, scientific expertise, and market potential." He added, "We plan to focus on R&D to validate the effectiveness of our platform technology based on the funds raised." He further remarked, "Ultimately, we will concentrate our capabilities to achieve major results, such as collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies, technology transfers, and expansion into overseas clinical trials."

Triore plans to accelerate the preclinical and clinical entry of next-generation ADC drug candidates utilizing the TROCAD and TROSIG platforms, while also expanding new partnerships and intensifying its efforts to target the global market.

(Press release, TriOar Biotechnology, JUL 17, 2025, View Source;idx=9 [SID1234664815])

Quetzal Therapeutics Debuts with Expert Leadership, High-Impact Pipeline and $50 Million of Committed Capital

On July 16, 2025 Quetzal Therapeutics, a newly formed biopharmaceutical company, reported its official launch with $50 million of committed capital. Founded to address urgent unmet needs in rare and life-threatening diseases, Quetzal brings together a team of seasoned executives, scientific pioneers, and biotech & pharmaceutical veterans committed to delivering transformative therapies to patients around the world.

At the core of Quetzal’s mission is a belief that cutting-edge science, guided by proven leadership, can redefine what’s possible in treatment for conditions like Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ("APL") and invasive infections. The company has formed around a multi-asset pipeline, initially including:

QTX-2101: A novel oral arsenic trioxide therapy for the treatment of APL expected to enter Phase III clinical trials by late 2025, supported by encouraging comparative pharmacokinetic data from a Phase 1b trial sponsored by Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
QTX-2102, a next-generation antifungal and antiparasitic therapy in preclinical development, designed to improve efficacy while minimizing toxicity.
Built on Leadership Excellence
Quetzal is led by an executive team with deep expertise in drug development, clinical strategy, and operational execution. "Our team was brought together by a shared conviction: that patients with rare diseases deserve the same urgency and innovation as those with more common conditions," said Usman Ahmed, CEO. "Quetzal Therapeutics is built to deliver on that promise with the right science, the right strategy, and the right people."

Usman Ahmed, CEO & Chairman – A proven leader with over two decades of leadership in pharmaceuticals and start-up innovation. During his tenure at Nexus Pharmaceuticals, Usman led the execution of complex transactions, spearheaded operational improvements, and championed cost efficiencies in the highly specialized and challenging field of specialty and generic injectables.

Dr. Sridhar Desikan, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer – An industry veteran with 28 years of experience in NCE and generics development. Sridhar began his career at Novartis Pharmaceuticals and subsequently worked at DuPont Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Reddy’s, and most recently at Nexus Pharmaceuticals as Chief Scientific Officer. Sridhar holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and has accreditations from Harvard Medical School’s HMX Pro program.

Sara Mathews, Vice President Program Leadership – With nearly 15 years of experience in the biotech industry, Sara is a seasoned asset leader with a proven track record of bringing cross-functional teams together and leading novel oncology therapeutics through global clinical programs from IND filing through late-stage development, filing preparation, and commercial launch planning.

Christina Liwski, General Counsel & CHRO – With over a decade of diverse and sophisticated legal experience, Christina brings deep legal acumen to the team. Christina’s experience spans multiple practice areas, including transactions and litigation. She most recently served as Assistant General Counsel at Nexus Pharmaceuticals, LLC and is admitted to practice in Illinois, Massachusetts, and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Guided by an Accomplished Board of Directors
The company’s Board of Directors features industry leaders with a track record of building, funding, and guiding successful companies:

Aman Ahmed – With nearly a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Aman brings deep expertise in sales operations, DEA and FDA regulatory compliance, international sales, and therapeutic portfolio management.

Dr. Jonathan Cheng – Dr. Jonathan Cheng is a physician-scientist and oncology drug development expert with a distinguished career across both industry and academia. As Chief Medical Officer at Systimmune, he leads the clinical development of a diverse pipeline of novel therapeutics, including innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and the company’s first-in-class EGFR-HER3 bispecific ADC currently in Phase 3 trials.

Todd Chermak, R.Ph., Ph.D – Todd Chermak is a life sciences executive with 30 years of experience spanning the biopharmaceutical, diagnostics, and nutrition industries. He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Global Business Head of Immunology and Proteomics at CellCarta.

Mike Warmuth – Mike Warmuth is currently working on various Boards: for profit, academic, and not-for-profit. From 2018 to 2023 Mr. Warmuth worked for EW Healthcare as an Operating Partner in their New York office. Prior to EW, Mr. Warmuth spent 30 years at Abbott in various senior executive capacities, where he led multiple divisions and business units.

Strategic Talent Acquisition Partnership
Quetzal Therapeutics proudly acknowledges the role of Heidrick & Struggles, a premier global leadership advisory firm, in identifying and recruiting Dr. Jonathan Cheng to the company’s Board of Directors. Their expertise and commitment to excellence were instrumental in securing a highly respected thought leader whose insight will help shape Quetzal’s long-term scientific and clinical strategy.

For more information, please visit: www.quetzaltx.com
Media Contact:
[email protected]

(Press release, Quetzal Therapeutics, JUL 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234664145])

Novartis Second Quarter and Half Year 2025 financial results

On July 17, 2025 Novartis reported Second Quarter and Half Year 2025 financial results (Presentation, Novartis, JUL 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234654547]).

MOMA Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Trial for MOMA-341, a Highly Potent and Selective Werner Helicase Inhibitor

On July 17, 2025 MOMA Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a new generation of precision therapeutics, reported that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and tolerability of MOMA-341, a potent and selective Werner helicase inhibitor with a novel chemical scaffold (Press release, MOMA Therapeutics, JUL 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234654436]).

MOMA-341 is being developed as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced or metastatic solid tumors that exhibit high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and/or DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), including colorectal, gastric and endometrial cancers. The fact that Werner helicase is required for survival of MSI-H/dMMR tumor cells makes it a promising emerging drug target. MOMA anticipates an initial readout of monotherapy data in mid-2026.

"We are proud to enter the clinic for the second time in less than a year, with initial readouts for both MOMA-341 and MOMA-313, our novel Polθ helicase inhibitor, expected in early-to- mid 2026," said Asit Parikh, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer of MOMA. "Given that MOMA-341’s novel chemical scaffold confers excellent target coverage, we are eager to evaluate its best-in-class potential for patients through this Phase 1 study."

About the MOMA-341 Phase 1 Trial

The Phase 1 clinical trial is a global multi-center, open-label dose escalation and dose optimization study (NCT06974110) designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary clinical activity of MOMA-341 as an orally administered single agent or combination therapy with either the chemotherapy agent irinotecan or immunotherapy. Adult participants must have unresectable advanced or metastatic microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) solid tumors.

About the KNOMATIC platform

MOMA-341 and MOMA-313, were discovered and developed through the application of MOMA’s KNOMATIC platform. The KNOMATIC platform integrates deep structural insights, advanced hit-finding technologies and computation-enabled lead optimization to accelerate discovery of novel therapeutics targeting families of highly dynamic proteins, such as ATPases and GTPases.