Biotech
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BMS’ next act for Cobenfy — and other highs and lows in Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s space is booming, from a new use for a schizophrenia drug to discovered pathways linked to the disease — but there’s been stumbles too.
By Meagan Parrish • Oct. 11, 2024 -
Regeneron takes the long-haul approach to oncology, stumbles and all
Although Regeneron has been playing catch-up in the oncology field for years, a pipeline built on next-wave promises could push the boundaries.
By Michael Gibney • Oct. 10, 2024 -
Trendline
Oncology
As investments in cancer R&D stay high, waves of innovative new treatments are on the horizon.
By PharmaVoice staff -
As AI transforms drug development, biotechs might not need as much Big Pharma support
Small biotechs are making gains with AI drug development, and their advantages may help some push ahead without Big Pharma.
By Amy Baxter • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Novo’s GLP-1 Wegovy could improve heart health for millions more than previously thought, AI study finds
Through real-world data, an AI company found that popular weight loss drugs could be a preventive measure for patients at risk of heart attack and stroke.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Oct. 7, 2024 -
An Alzheimer’s drugmaker is accused of data ‘manipulation.’ Should its trials be stopped?
Cassava Sciences’ beleaguered investigational Alzheimer’s therapy is in two phase 3 studies.
By Meagan Parrish • Oct. 4, 2024 -
Flu vaccination rates are falling despite record child deaths. Can innovation save the day?
As respiratory disease season approaches, experts are concerned about vaccination rates — but the industry is churning out new solutions to help.
By Michael Gibney • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Kailera Therapeutics emerges from stealth with $400M for obesity drugs
The official launch comes five months after a filing indicated major investors such as Atlas Venture and Bain Capital were backing the biotech, then named “Hercules CM NewCo.”
By Gwendolyn Wu • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Top pharma and biotech conferences 2025
Mark your calendars for the most important industry conferences in 2025.
By Michael Gibney • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Q&A
California is a life sciences leader. Joe Panetta has been one of its most vocal advocates.
The president and CEO of Biocom California discusses the state’s strengths and weaknesses, current and emerging hubs, and the industry’s future.
By Alexandra Pecci • Oct. 1, 2024 -
After scoring a first for an off-the-shelf T cell therapy, can Atara maintain momentum?
The company’s allogeneic therapy was OK’d in the EU and could become the first of its kind approved by the FDA in January — while eyeing the next frontier.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Behind the rise of BMS’ Cobenfy, the first new schizophrenia drug in decades
The FDA OK for KarXT, now known as Cobenfy, demonstrates Bristol Myers Squibb’s dealmaking prowess and marks a turning point for a new generation of treatments.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Q&A
Roivant’s magic trick: Finding the ‘weird-shaped’ pieces around Big Pharma’s cookie cutters
Roivant CEO Matt Gline leads the company on a unique path by placing bets on misfit drugs and technologies — and it’s working.
By Michael Gibney • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Bluebird to lay off another 25% of workforce in latest restructuring
The announced job cuts are the latest in a series of steps Bluebird has taken to preserve cash and break even financially amid slow uptake of its marketed gene therapies.
By Delilah Alvarado • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Fresh data intensifies race for a major gene therapy target
4D Molecular Therapeutics reported positive interim analysis in the high-potential wet AMD indication last week.
By Meagan Parrish • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Q&A // First 90 Days
Want better cancer treatments? Make biopharma more like Silicon Valley
Alicia Zhou brings startup bona fides to the nonprofit Cancer Research Institute to promote defragmentation of the cancer research effort.
By Michael Gibney • Sept. 24, 2024 -
What the Fed’s rate cut means for biotech
Industry insiders hope the Fed’s decision to cut rates for the first time in years will boost biotech investment. But the long-awaited move won’t cure all that ails the sector, others cautioned.
By Ben Fidler • Sept. 20, 2024 -
After epilepsy setback, Ovid charges confidently ahead in CNS
A promising epilepsy drug Ovid sold to Takeda recently missed the mark in late-stage trials. But Ovid believes it has other novel mechanisms that could deliver a CNS win.
By Meagan Parrish • Sept. 20, 2024 -
Getting IND ready — how companies can avoid common traps
Overpromising, overcommitting and neglecting CMC are a few of the pitfalls that cause sponsors to stumble when submitting a new drug application.
By Alexandra Pecci • Sept. 18, 2024 -
The hunt for game-changers against the deadliest form of brain cancer
Treatments for glioblastoma have fallen short in the face of difficult challenges, but the pipeline is full of renewed attempts.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Biopharma prepares to pivot from China as Biosecure Act advances
After the House of Representatives passed the Biosecure Act last week, U.S. biotechs could be forced to cut ties with five Chinese contract partners.
By Amy Baxter • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Who’s winning in biotech’s tight market?
Three of the largest fundraising rounds in 2024 show where investors are willing to place their bets in biotech.
By Meagan Parrish • Sept. 13, 2024 -
Deep Dive
A decade of cancer immunotherapy: Keytruda, Opdivo and the drugs that changed oncology
Over the past 10 years, PD1-blocking medicines have transformed cancer care. But the steady expansion of their use has slowed and, despite much trying, pharmaceutical companies have largely failed to top the drugs’ successes.
By Jonathan Gardner • Sept. 10, 2024 -
A new way of determining a drug’s value — with health equity in mind
Quality-adjusted life years are an important tool to frame a drug’s cost effectiveness, but they leave out other determinants of health.
By Michael Gibney • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Lilly lays down $1B to be ‘first in biology’ with obesity gene therapies
The deal, which targets metabolic diseases, is one of a few by Big Pharma to develop lncRNA therapies.
By Amy Baxter • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Huntington’s disease R&D is regaining ground after several disappointments
Setbacks haven’t stopped advances by biotechs and pharmas working on new drugs for the inherited brain disorder.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 9, 2024