Jan. 12 Quick Takes: Cambrian launches Isterian to advance fibrosis programs

The latest launch from Cambrian Biopharma Inc.’s hub-and-spoke model is Isterian Biotech Inc., a company advancing preclinical TG2 inhibitors to treat fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The company was formed via a partnership between Cambrian and Aston University to develop programs from Martin Griffin’s laboratory at the U.K.-based institution. Among Cambrian’s “distributed development” companies are mTOR-focused Tornado Therapeutics Inc., women’s health play Oviva Therapeutics Inc. and muscular dystrophy company Vita Therapeutics Inc.

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ORMP) shares were down $8.25 (76%) to $2.54 Thursday, dissolving more than $300 million in market cap, after the company said oral insulin capsule ORMD-0801 missed the primary endpoint in the Phase III ORA-D-013-1 study to treat Type II diabetes. ORMD-0801 did not significantly improve glycemic control compared with placebo, and missed a secondary endpoint measuring change in fasting plasma glucose. Oramed is also studying ORMD-0801 to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis...