BioCentury
ARTICLE | Product Development

Dec. 4 Quick Takes: Zogenix in Dravet deal with start-up; plus updates from BioCryst, Takeda, AB Science, Sutro, Lilly, Cedars-Sinai

December 5, 2020 1:42 AM UTC

Aiming to reverse Dravet, Tevard partners with Zogenix
Zogenix Inc. (NASDAQ:ZGNX) will collaborate with Tevard Biosciences to develop transfer RNA-based gene therapies to treat Dravet syndrome and other genetic epilepsies. The Cambridge, Mass.-based start-up, which has already received $5 million of the $10 million it is due up front in the deal, has two platforms for mRNA stabilization and nonsense codon suppression. Tevard is eligible for $70-$100 million in milestones for each program. FDA has approved Zogenix's Fintepla fenfluramine to treat Dravet.

FDA approves oral, non-steroidal product for HAE
FDA approved oral, once-daily Orladeyo berotralstat from  BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema in patients 12 years and older. It is the first orally administered non-steroidal option for preventing HAE attacks, according to the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association...