Enlaza Therapeutics Inc. will take charge of research through nominating candidates in its potentially $2 billion-plus deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. For its efforts, Enlaza is getting $45 million in an up-front payment and equity investment, plus the opportunity to bring in more than $2 billion in research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones and tiered royalties on net sales.
CSL Ltd.’s stock tumbled 16.88% on the news that it plans to cut 3,000 jobs and to hive off its Seqirus vaccine unit in a cost-cutting measure to save more than $500 million per year over the next three years.
Syntara Ltd.’s stock plummeted 52% on news that the FDA recommended an additional phase IIb trial following a type C meeting about the company’s clinical development plan for lysyl oxidase inhibitor amsulostat (SNT-5505, formerly PXS-5505) in myelofibrosis.
Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. said the patients’ deaths tied to anemia therapy Pyrukynd (mitapivat) that were announced in a securities analyst’s Aug. 4 note to investors hasn’t changed the drug’s already established benefit-risk profile on the drug’s U.S. prescribing information.
A total of 33 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, agreed to participate in the U.S. CMS’ voluntary, outcomes-based program aimed at helping state Medicaid programs cover high-priced cell and gene therapies, starting with therapies for sickle cell disease.
It may be a year later than originally planned, but Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is set to commercialize Lynozyfic (linvoseltamab) in the U.S. following FDA approval for use in adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. A bispecific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3, Lynozyfic was cleared under the accelerated approval pathway, with continued approval contingent upon a confirmatory trial.
“The lack of therapeutic precision in treatment of myeloid malignancies is in sharp contrast with the fact that myeloid cancers represent the perhaps best characterized cancers of all at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels,” Johanna Olweus told her audience at the Friday plenary session of the European Hematology Association 2025 Annual Congress.
Sanofi SA gained U.S. FDA approval for fitusiran as a first-in-class siRNA therapy for hemophilia. Branded Qfitlia, the antithrombin-lowering therapy is indicated for use as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors, and joins the small but growing group of non-factor therapy options, with the advantage of a broad label and a convenient dosing regimen.
The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) juggernaut powers on, with Japan’s Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. set to acquire Araris Biotech AG for up to $1.14 billion. Of that, $400 million will be up front, with the remainder tied to milestones with a maximum value of $740 million, around the progress of three ADCs for treating solid and hematological cancers.
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. struck a licensing deal with Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. for sapablursen, which is in phase II trials for polycythemia vera. Under terms, Osaka, Japan-based Ono gains an exclusive license to develop and commercialize sapablursen worldwide. Carlsbad, Calif.-based Ionis will be responsible for completing the ongoing phase II Imprssion study, while Ono will be responsible for subsequent development, regulatory filings and commercialization.