Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Akeso, Aura, Cel-Sci, CG Oncology, Opthea, Ractigen, Unity.
Nature Cell Co. Ltd. won U.S. FDA breakthrough therapy designation of its autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy, Jointstem, March 20, becoming the first Korean company to earn the label in the field of cell therapy.
In a move that echoes tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) lobby is taking aim at most of the world for unfair trade practices in its special 2025 Special 301 Report to the U.S. Trade Representative.
In a deal that could reach nearly $2 billion, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has licensed a small molecule for treating cardiovascular disease to Merck & Co. Inc., dropping the China-based company into a space with lots of competitors in varying stages of development.
The obesity market is driving pharma’s return on investment (ROI) upward, with the projected return rising to 5.9% overall in 2024, but only reaching 3.8% if GLP-1 assets are excluded. At the same time, the average cost of developing a drug continues to rise and now stands at $2.23 billion, compared to $2.12 billion in 2023, according to Deloitte’s 15th annual analysis of the ROI from pharmaceutical innovation.
Losing nearly 60% of its value, Mural Oncology plc backed away from its lead interleukin-2 (IL-2) drug, nemvaleukin alfa, in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer based on interim results showing it failed to reach significance in the overall survival primary endpoint.
Hillstar Bio came out of stealth mode, announcing a $67 million series A financing round with investors including Droia Ventures, Frazier Life Sciences, Novo Holdings A/S and Lifearc Ventures.
Mehmet Oz, the Trump administration’s pick to lead the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), appeared for a second time in the Senate for the CMS administrator’s job.
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