Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

BASEL, Switzerland, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noema Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company targeting debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the appointment of Volker Knappertz, M.D., as Executive Vice President of Research & Development. “We are excited to welcome Volker to Noema. Volker is a recognized leader in drug development with a proven track record building and leading Research and Development organizations and obtaining market approvals for novel drugs, including Epidiolex for the treatment of rare developmental childhood onset forms of epilepsy,” said Ilise Lombardo, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Noema Pharma. “His experience and expertise across CNS development will be pivotal as Noema enters a transformational year with readouts of multiple Phase 2 studies across our pipeline.” “I am thrilled to join Noema and look forward to the continued clinical development across the company’s multiple indications including seizures in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tourette syndrome and vasomotor symptoms plus CNS-mediated symptoms of menopause,” said Dr. Knappertz. “Noema’s commitment to patients and innovative approach to CNS disorders is proven by their late-stage clinical pipeline and I look forward to working with the team to bring these first-in-disease therapeutics to patients in need.” Dr. Volker Knappertz has spent over 25 years in drug development and has been involved in numerous Investigational New Drug (IND) filings and product approvals during his career. Prior to joining Noema, Dr. Knappertz served as Executive Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, where he led the entirety of R&D across multiple programs targeting autoimmune diseases. Dr. Knappertz also served as Executive Vice President of R&D and Chief Medical Officer at GW Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals). During his time at GW, Dr. Knappertz was instrumental in driving the transformation of GW from a botanical pharmaceutical company to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company following the FDA approval of Epidiolex for the treatment of rare developmental childhood onset forms of epilepsy. In addition, he played a role in several drug approvals and major business development deals during his tenure in leadership positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca and Bayer. Dr. Knappertz received his doctorate and Medical Degree from Cologne University and is a US board certified neurologist. He has served as Adjunct Professor in Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf. About Noema PharmaNoema Pharma is a clinical-stage biotech company advancing a portfolio of transformative, first-in-disease therapeutics targeting neuroscience-based conditions with high unmet need. Noema has four programs currently in active Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating seizures in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, pain in Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tourette syndrome and vasomotor symptoms plus CNS-mediated symptoms of menopause with readouts expected in 2025. Noema was founded by leading venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners and is supported by current investors including EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Gilde Healthcare, Invus, Jeito Capital, Polaris Partners and UPMC Enterprises. Learn more at www.noemapharma.com. Investor ContactArgot Partners Maeve Conneighton 212-600-1902noema@argotpartners.com

According to the latest monitoring data, at least 19 pharmaceutical companies globally announced layoffs or business streamlining plans in November. The impact on multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in China has been particularly significant, with Johnson & Johnson and Merck implementing layoffs in the country. Johnson & Johnson's layoffs in China reached 2,000 people, approximately 20% of its total workforce, mainly affecting the surgical division. The layoffs were primarily due to declining company performance, especially in its ultrasound knife business, which saw its market share plunge from 95% to less than 30%. Since the second quarter of this year, Johnson & Johnson has also undergone business adjustments, with several senior executives, including the president of China, Song Weiqun, leaving the company. Merck also conducted staff reductions in its China division, although the exact number of layoffs has not been specified, primarily affecting the diabetes department. Due to the impact of centralized procurement policies, Merck's diabetes drug business has suffered significantly, forcing the company to take measures to drastically reduce costs. In recent years, centralized procurement policies have driven down drug prices, leading to significant profit reductions for pharmaceutical companies, which have had to scale back or sell their operations in China in response. For example, Pfizer sold its PCV13 vaccine business and conducted extensive layoffs. In this context, other pharmaceutical companies have also announced restructuring plans. Sana Biotechnology is shifting its research focus from cancer to autoimmune diseases and has undergone strategic restructuring, though it has not disclosed the number of layoffs. Viracta Therapeutics, focusing on precision oncology, announced approximately 42% layoffs to concentrate resources on its Nana-val development project. Aurinia laid off 45% of its workforce due to an inability to find a buyer, aiming to maintain cash flow. A gene sequencing company announced a 40% reduction in staff and the termination of all therapeutic projects due to declining business and cash flow issues. Marinus Pharmaceuticals announced a 45% reduction in staff following the failure of its core drug in Phase III clinical trials. Adaptimmune stated it would lay off 33% of its workforce in Q1 2025, aiming to save $300 million over the next four years and achieve break-even by 2027. Additionally, companies such as Gilead, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Sonata, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Alector, Medigene, Novartis, and Kronos Bio have also announced layoffs or restructuring plans to respond to the current challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. These measures reflect the strategies adopted by the pharmaceutical industry in the face of market changes and policy adjustments.

RSS Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) announces that Lupkynis® (voclosporin) has been launched today for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN), an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease. Lupkynis is a novel, oral immunosuppressive agent developed for the treatment of LN. It suppresses the immune system by inhibiting calcineurin, an enzyme that is crucial for the proliferation and activation of T cells, an important element of the immune system. In December 2020, Otsuka and Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. entered into a collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of oral voclosporin for the treatment of LN in Japan and European countries. In September 2022 Otsuka received European Commission approval for Lupkynis as a treatment for active LN in EU member countries. Otsuka subsequently received approval for Lupkynis in Japan in Septermber this year. In the U.S., Aurinia received FDA marketing approval in January 2021 for Lupkynis as a treatment for active LN in adults. Otsuka Pharmaceutical is committed to research and development that contributes to patients and their families in order to meet unmet medical needs worldwide. Our research priorities, in addition to autoimmune diseases, include mental, renal and cardiovascular health, and the often-ignored disease tuberculosis.