Daily Brief Health Care: China Traditional Chinese Medicine, MediciNova , Organovo Holdings , Oryzon Genomics and more

• The approval/filing process of China TCM’s privatization is complicated and would take some time, but there’re almost no cases of disapproval. It also depends on the adequacy of materials submitted.
• Due to the extension of time for the despatch of Scheme Document, this process would be delayed for more months.But we should receive clear information by October at the latest.
• For arbitrageurs, China TCM is an investment opportunity of high success rate, which becomes more attractive if HK stock market is depressed.It’s better suited to idle funds considering potential risks/returns.

• On May 28, 2024, MediciNova, Inc. (MNOV) announced that two abstracts regarding MN-001 (tipelukast) and MN-002 were presented as posters at the 92nd European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) 2024 Congress.
• The poster on MN-001 discussed the objectives and design of the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial enrolling patients with Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and NAFLD, which has now enrolled a total of 33 patients.
• The other presentation regarded the mechanism of action of MN-001/MN-002 in lipid metabolism.

• Organovo is a biotech company that has 3D technology enabling the company to produce various human tissues, allowing the company to target diseases and accelerate the drug development process.
• The company released its annual report that showed good cash balances, and also recently released positive Phase 2 results for one of its primary treatments-FXR314.
• These results are very encouraging and bolster our belief in the future prospects for ONVO.

Oryzon Genomics has announced the publication of the final ALICE trial results in the recognised peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Haematology. The Phase IIa trial investigated iadademstat (Oryzon’s lead oncology LSD1 inhibitor) in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in newly diagnosed elderly/unfit patients. The trial demonstrated strong efficacy signals, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 81.5%, with three patients still on treatment through compassionate use and in complete remission after four years from the start of treatment. A Phase Ib, investigator-sponsored, dose-finding study evaluating iadademstat (in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax) in the first-line setting is expected to start recruitment by mid-2024. We note that the company’s near-term focus is the Phase Ib FRIDA study (in patients with advanced AML with an FLT3 mutation), from which interim data is expected imminently.