ICH Q5A(R2) is the key regulatory guidance document for the viral safety evaluation of cell lines used in the manufacture of biologics. This guideline now specifically references Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) as an advanced virus testing tool and an ethical replacement for virus assays in animal models. In collaboration with Charles River Laboratories, Pathoquest has generated data which underscores the superiority of their GMP validated iDTECT® Transcriptome assay over MAP/HAP/RAP in the characterization of rodent cell lines. This assay harnesses the power of NGS to screen cell lines for any replicating viral contaminants and allows the replacement of two mandatory animal-based assays: in vivo adventitious virus and MAP/HAP/RAP testing.
Merck and Kelun’s sac-TMT extends overall survival in pretreated endometrial cancer, Bristol Myers Squibb reports interim data and a patient death in its phase 1 CAR-T trial in multiple sclerosis, and BioNTech and DualityBio’s HER2 ADC meets its phase 3 goal but with limited expected benefit.
Full Phase 3 TroFuse-005 data presented at ESMO 2026 show the TROP2-directed ADC sacituzumab tirumotecan cut the risk of death by 32% vs chemotherapy, and an FDA decision is expected by June 2027.
BioNTech and DualityBio's HER2-directed ADC modestly improved progression-free survival over chemotherapy in DYNASTY-Breast02, but higher interstitial lung disease rates and an established competitor limit its potential in this setting.
Anurag Rathore, PhD, professor of chemical engineering at IIT Delhi, explains how his team is making antibody manufacturing more efficient and replacing costly raw materials to cut monoclonal antibody costs to about $10 per gram.
