> Kite Pharma is slightly lagging behind Novartis in the U.S. race to market the first ever CAR-T med, but it is hoping to be the first in Europe after filing a new application for axicabtagene ciloleucel. The biotech is seeking licences for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, transformed follicular lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. Release
> Flex Pharma has hired William McVicar, Ph.D., as its new president and CEO. The tiny biotech announced last month that co-founder Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D., was stepping down from his chief role, coming after a trial setback for FLX-787 in nocturnal leg cramps. Statement
> InVivo Therapeutics has halted enrollment in its Inspire study of neuro-spinal scaffold in patients with complete thoracic spinal cord injury after a sudden death. This is now the third death from the trial, and although all three are believed to be unrelated to the therapy, the company has stopped recruitment while it talks with the FDA. Release