Weekly Roundup: Conference Countdown and a Busy Autumn Ahead
European Commission grants marketing authorisation for NEZGLYAL® (leriglitazone), the first pharmacological treatment approved for cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), a rare neurodegenerative disease
Neuraxpharm Group announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorisation under exceptional circumstances for NEZGLYAL® (leriglitazone), an orally bioavailable, brain penetrating, selective PPAR gamma agonist, as a treatment for male cALD patients, aged 2-12 years with Gadolinium (Gd)-negative brain lesions.
Hansa Biopharma announced new board appointments and participation at LSX Congress USA in Boston
Hansa Biopharma announced the election of Shannon Campbell and Gregory Perry to Hansa’s Board of Directors, effective September 22, 2026 until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.
The Company also announced that Fredrik Röök, VP Business Development, participated in the panel discussion “Breaking into New Markets: Strategies for Global Biopharma Expansion” at LSX Congress USA in Boston on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Poolbeg Pharma announces interim data from its POLB 001 TOPICAL clinical trial
Poolbeg Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announced that the ongoing TOPICAL clinical trial will proceed as planned following a positive review of data from the interim safety cohort. The completion of this review represents an important milestone for the TOPICAL trial, and provides further confidence it advances the POLB 001 programme.
BOOST Pharma selected to showcase phase III ready lead program BT-101 at the 2026 Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa
BOOST Pharma, a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, first‑in‑class off-the-shelf cell therapies for rare, debilitating paediatric skeletal diseases, announced that it has been selected as a 2026 Innovation Spotlight company at the upcoming Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, US, from 5-7 October 2026. CEO Hans Schambye will present an update on BT-101, the Company’s Phase III-ready investigational, off-the-shelf cell therapy for children with severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, at 11:00 a.m. MST.
Ona Therapeutics advanced as a clinical-stage company and appointed Aleix Prat, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer
Ona Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech developing a novel, patient-derived, target-focused portfolio of next-generation ADCs to overcome growing treatment resistance across major cancer indications, announced continued progress in the Phase 1a clinical development of its lead first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ONA-255, for the treatment of advanced cancers. To support the advancement of its pipeline, Ona appointed Aleix Prat, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer.
Breye Therapeutics has a paper on its oral danegaptide treatment for patients with NPDR published in Science Translational Medicine
Breye Therapeutics ApS (Breye), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapeutics for the early treatment of retinal diseases, announced that it has had an academic paper on its lead asset danegaptide published in the prestigious journal Science Translational Medicine (STM). The paper outlines the potential that danegaptide has as an oral treatment for diabetic retinopathy, a common eye disease.
AC Immune reported positive safety & immunogenicity at week-100 in Part 1 of VacSYn Phase 2 Trial of ACI-7104
AC Immune, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, announced positive safety and immunogenicity results through week-100 in Part 1 of VacSYn, its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of ACI-7104 in patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD). AC Immune also hosted a conference call around the results, which is available to be viewed on its website here.
Anaconda Biomed secures $56 Million financing from new and existing investors
Anaconda Biomed, a medical technology company developing a next-generation portfolio of novel thrombectomy catheters based on its core funnel catheter technology platform, announced the closing of a $56 million financing round with participation from new and existing investors, including Asabys Partners. Proceeds will support product development and clinical work, including completion of the ongoing ATHENA pivotal IDE study, a prospective, randomized, 327-subject trial intended to evaluate the safety and performance of the ANA Funnel Catheter.
AstronauTX awarded research funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Parkinson’s UK to explore sleep-based approaches for Parkinson’s disease
AstronauTx a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders by improving sleep architecture, announced that it has received funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and that Parkinson’s UK is funding an additional complementary research effort in collaboration with University College London (UCL).
🌟 One Nucleus Awards & Scrip Awards 2026
We’re proud to see several of Optimum’s clients recognised in this year’s One Nucleus Awards and Scrip Awards 2026 shortlists.
Congratulations to Resolution Therapeutics and Asgard Therapeutics on their One Nucleus Awards nominations, and to Nucleome, for being shortlisted in the Scrip Awards 2026.
These nominations highlight the innovation and impact our clients are bringing to the life sciences sector. We’re delighted to support these exceptional organisations and see your achievements recognised by such respected industry awards.
Best of luck to all 👏
📺 Optimum TV: DaltonTx: Connecting AI, Data and Human Expertise
More AI models and computational tools are available for drug discovery than ever before. But when data, tools and scientific reasoning remain siloed, more technology doesn’t necessarily mean better decisions.
Dr Garry Pairaudeau, CEO and Co-Founder of DaltonTx, believes the next phase of AI in drug discovery is about moving beyond prediction and delivering real-world impact.
In our latest episode, Garry explains how DaltonTx’s agentic AI platform connects AI models, human expertise and experimental data to help pharma, biotech and CRO teams make smarter decisions, reduce wasted experiments and accelerate drug discovery.
Watch the whole episode here:
👥Industry events
Optimum’s 18th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference- London | 8 October 2026
With less than two weeks to go, we’re looking forward to welcoming leaders from across the life sciences and investment communities to Optimum’s Annual Healthcare Investor Conference. Our agenda is now live, featuring leading voices from across the sector. Attendance is strictly limited and by invitation only, and we have now reached full capacity.
If you’ve missed the registration window reach out to marketing@optimumcomms.com
BIO-Europe 2026 – Cologne, Germany | 9–11th Nov 2026
Connecting with the global biotech community – Our CEO, Mary Clark, and Associate Director, Zoe Bolt, will be attending BIO-Europe 2026, one of the leading international dealmaking events for the life sciences industry.
The team are looking forward to meeting with companies, investors and potential partners to discuss collaboration opportunities. Get in touch to schedule a get-together.
London Landmarks Run | 17 November 2026
Optimum Strategic Communications and Catalyst Advisors LP will be hosting a 5K #LondonLandmarksRun during the #Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference and London Life Sciences Week this November.
Start your day the right way with the London Landmarks Run. Connect with fellow #LifeSciences professionals while taking in some of London’s most iconic sights before the London Life Sciences/Jefferies conference day begins in November.
🕰️ ~7.00am GMT
🔗 Register for more information: https://lnkd.in/eAXkyvBF
Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference & London Life Sciences Week – London | 15–20th Nov 2026
📅 Planning an event during the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference or London Life Sciences Week this November?
Optimum Strategic Communications and Catalyst Advisors LP in partnership with Jefferies, are producing the official Jefferies Networking Event Guide, helping attendees discover the key receptions, networking events, panels and gatherings taking place throughout the week.
If you’re hosting an event and would like to reach founders, investors, pharma leaders and industry decision-makers attending the conference, there’s still time to be included.
📍To submit your event, email contact@optimumcomms.com to be included
🔗 Register to receive the guide when it launches: Here
Sponsorship Opportunities – Anglonordic Europe Life Science Conference
Looking to raise your visibility among Europe’s life sciences decision-makers?
Sponsorship opportunities for the 23rd Anglonordic Europe Life Science Conference are now available. Showcase your expertise, strengthen your brand and connect with investors, partners and industry leaders driving the future of the sector.
📩 Contact anglonordic@optimumcomms.com to explore sponsorship packages
🔗 Learn more: Sponsorship opportunities
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