Biopharma Bites: Ascendis' Achondroplasia Advances, Life Biosciences Funding, Merck & Co., Soleno Updates

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Ascendis Pharma reported 52-week Phase 2 COACH trial data on April 8, 2026, showing combination therapy of once-weekly TransCon CNP (YUVIWEL) and TransCon hGH improved arm span Z-scores (+1.02 in treatment-naïve children), spinal canal dimensions (+1.7 mm interpedicular distance in L1-L5 for naïve), and leg alignment (tibial femoral angle -3.0°) in children aged 2-11 with achondroplasia.12

YUVIWEL received FDA accelerated approval on February 27, 2026, for increasing linear growth in children 2+ with achondroplasia, with commercial launch and orphan drug exclusivity granted on April 6, 2026.345

No recent search results available on funding for Life Biosciences, Merck & Co., or Soleno Therapeutics; updates limited to Ascendis Pharma developments.

Sources:

1. https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/ascendis-reports-arm-span-spinal-improvements-in-achondroplasia-trial-93CH-4602950

2. https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ASND/new-data-from-week-52-of-the-ongoing-coach-trial-showed-that-trans-6f0gf4isjk5d.html

3. https://investors.ascendispharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-once-weekly-yuviwelr-navepegritide-children

4. https://globalgenes.org/raredaily/fda-grants-ascendis-accelerated-approval-for-achondroplasia-drug/

5. https://investors.ascendispharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ascendis-receives-orphan-drug-exclusivity-and-launches-yuviwelr