QUC-398

Plus, news about Tiger Gene and Theratechnologies: Novartis scraps knee pain drug: The Swiss drugmaker discontinued a Phase 2 test of an under-the-skin treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain, a spokesperson confirmed to Endpoints News . The experimental medicine, codenamed QUC398, is an anti-ADAMTS-5 injectable. The drug “demonstrated a good safety profile but an insufficient effect on pain relief,” the spokesperson wrote in a Tuesday statement. — Kyle LaHucik Telix shares Phase 2 brain tumor results: The Australian biotech’s TLX101 given alongside standard external beam radiation therapy achieved an average 12.4 months of overall survival in the investigator-initiated trial of eight people with high-grade gliomas. Telix is on track to file an IND for the drug in the second half of the year. — Ayisha Sharma Tiger Gene rebrands, launches new venture: The Boston-based VC firm will now operate under the name 28 Capital. It said its latest fund will focus on “translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into breakthrough therapies.” The value of the fund was not disclosed. — Ayisha Sharma Theratechnologies starts “open” sale process: The company said it will consider its exit options through a “non-exclusive” framework going forward. Earlier this week, Future Pak made its latest unsolicited bid to buy Theratechnologies for up to $255 million. — Ayisha Sharma