Phase III results from Sanofi SA’s study of amlitelimab in treating atopic dermatitis met the primary and key secondary endpoints, but investors took a step back.
Biopharma deal activity (excluding M&As) has surged to record-breaking levels in the first seven months of 2025, reaching $164.03 billion, well above prior years and a 36% jump over the same period in 2024.
Biopharma deal activity (excluding M&As) has surged to record-breaking levels in the first seven months of 2025, reaching $164.03 billion, well above prior years and a 36% jump over the same period in 2024.
Taking weight off with a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and keeping it off once the drug has been discontinued has been a tall order but Response Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeing progress. Top-line results from its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase II study of RDX-002, in those who had already wrapped up a GLP-1 receptor agonist course for reducing obesity, were positive.
A federal appeals court opened the door Aug. 6 for an amended class-action lawsuit alleging that Astrazeneca plc, Eli Lilly and Co., Novo Nordisk A/S and Sanofi SA engaged in a horizontal price-fixing conspiracy involving insulin products and GLP-1 drugs indicated in diabetes when they each adopted similar policies in 2020 to impose restrictions on 340B discounts to an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.
Respiratory vaccines specialist Vicebio Ltd. is to be acquired by Sanofi SA in a $1.6 billion deal, of which $1.15 billion will be paid up front. The acquisition rests on an ongoing phase I trial of the lead asset, VXB-241, a bivalent vaccine that is intended to provide protection against both respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus. The interim analysis of the study showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile in adults, ages 60 and older, and validated the underlying vaccine technology, which is applicable to a wide range of respiratory viruses.
The BioWorld Cancer Index reversed its early year losses, rebounding from a 4.74% decline at the end of the first quarter (Q1) to finish Q2 up 12.78%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average followed a similar pattern, dropping to -4.41% by the end of April before recovering to a 3.64% gain by Q2’s end. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, down 5.37% at the end of May, narrowed its losses to close June down just 1.92%.
Despite the controversies swirling around the June meeting of the U.S. CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), the reconstituted committee delivered good news to Merck & Co. Inc. when it voted 5-2 June 26 to recommend that infants younger than 8 months who are not protected by maternal vaccination get one dose of a monoclonal as they head into their first respiratory syncytial virus season.
