As Legend Biotech became profitable, the company is navigating the next phase of growth for its flagship CAR-T therapy, Carvykti. Taiho Pharmaceutical and Cullinan Therapeutics' EGFR candidate delivered a phase 3 win. WuXi AppTec won a preliminary injunction against the Defense Department's black list designation. And more.
1. Legend interim CEO talks rising competition as Carvykti maker posts first profit
Legend Biotech has posted its first profitable quarter, recording $63 million in adjusted net income for the three months ended in June. The company’s interim CEO Alan Bash talked to Fierce about its continued effort to expand Carvykti, including navigating its partnership with Johnson & Johnson amid rising threats from the Big Pharma’s bispecifics.
2. Cullinan tees up J&J fight—and $100M payday—as Taiho-partnered drug hits phase 3 cancer goal
Taiho Pharmaceutical and Cullinan Therapeutics’ EGFR inhibitor zipalertinib, used in combination with chemotherapy, just delivered a positive phase 3 in first-line, EGFR exon 20-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. The partners plan to seek FDA approval, teeing up potential competition with J&J’s bispecific Rybrevant and AstraZeneca’s soon-to-be-bought Zegfrovy.
