Life Sciences Daily Summary
Life Sciences Daily Summary: What Happened on October 13, 2026
Obuprazine meets Phase 2b goal as Roche strikes $1 billion RNAi obesity deal
Pfizer and Enodia also agreed to a discovery collaboration worth potentially more than $500 million. Syndax’s lung fibrosis drug failed a trial.
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Today in brief
Obuprazine met its primary endpoint in a Phase 2b trial for acute schizophrenia, with all three dose groups showing statistically significant symptom-score reductions versus placebo after 42 days.1 Roche struck a $1 billion agreement with Rona focused on RNA interference, or RNAi, for obesity.2
Pfizer and Enodia will discover molecules that target proteins during production, in a deal that could exceed $500 million.3 Syndax’s lung fibrosis drug failed a trial, sending the company’s shares lower.4
Obuprazine reduced schizophrenia symptom scores more than placebo
Obuprazine met the primary endpoint in a randomized, double-blind Phase 2b trial of 363 adults with acute schizophrenia at 24 centers in China.1 At day 42, the lowest-dose group’s average score on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) fell 28.6 points, compared with 11.9 points on placebo.1
The placebo-adjusted reductions were 16.7 points for the lowest dose, 13.2 for the middle dose and 14.7 for the highest dose.1 All three dose groups also improved over placebo on positive and negative symptoms and a measure of cognitive symptoms.1
Tortugas plans to file a US investigational new drug application and submit the full results to a peer-reviewed journal.1 Hansoh conducted the trial, and Tortugas holds commercial development rights outside Greater China.1
Pfizer and Enodia will seek drugs that block proteins during production
Pfizer and Enodia Therapeutics will discover small molecules that target proteins as cells make them.3 Enodia will lead discovery work on multiple undisclosed targets. Pfizer will handle later clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory work and commercialization.3
The agreement includes an upfront payment and could exceed $500 million in total, including milestones and royalties.3 Enodia is developing machine-learning-designed molecules that modulate Sec61, a cellular channel involved in moving newly made proteins.3