Checkpoint inhibitors (CIs) are among the hottest tickets in biopharma, with a handful of deals this year showing that no respectable oncology pipeline can be without one. Combined with traditional chemotherapy and radiation treatment, CIs made a big first impression in metastatic melanoma, thanks to the early success of Yervoy (ipilimumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.).
As expected, the second pivotal phase III trial of brodalumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis hit its primary and key secondary endpoints, and partners Amgen Inc. and Astrazeneca plc didn't even need to shout the glad tidings.
After working quietly for five years on a drug delivery platform that could change the paradigm in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Canadian specialty pharma Highland Therapeutics Inc. received significant validation of its efforts.
Sage Therapeutics Inc. said 73 percent of patients with super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) who were treated with SAGE-547, its allosteric modulator of synaptic and extra-synaptic GABAA receptors, were successfully weaned from medication keeping them in medically induced comas to prevent persistent seizure.
After keeping its head down following its launch two years ago, Ziarco Group Ltd. came up for air to raise a $33.1 million series B round that will propel its two most advanced compounds through proof-of-concept studies.
Less than a week after reporting disappointing third quarter earnings, Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Inc. cheered the Street by disclosing an agreement with Astrazeneca plc to acquire the approved orphan drug Myalept (metreleptin for injection) for $325 million up front, with no milestones or royalties attached.
Another biotech squeaked through the initial public offering (IPO) door Wednesday, as Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. priced 4 million shares at $9 to raise a smallish $36 million. But the IPO queue remained at three dozen companies after Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corp. entered as fast as Xenon could exit. The Lexington, Mass.-based biotech, which is developing a small molecule eye drop therapy to treat glaucoma, is seeking to raise up to $86 million, including overallotments, and plans to offer another $46 million in five-year convertible debt concurrent with the IPO.
Despite a 48 percent increase in third quarter global sales of Eylea (aflibercept) compared to the same period a year earlier, to $722 million, including 23 percent growth in U.S. sales, shares of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN)dipped 5.8 percent Tuesday as investors fretted over more conservative estimates for full-year sales.
Galecto Biotech AB isn't the only biotech targeting galectin-3 to treat fibrotic diseases, and it doesn't have the most extensive or even the most advanced pipeline. But the 3-year old biotech, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, had the right stuff to attract Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMS) to an exclusive option to acquire the company and gain global rights to its lead asset, TD139, for up-front and milestone payments that could reach $444 million.
Imago Biosciences Inc. seemed to materialize from thin air, on Halloween at that, with a $26.5 million series A financing led by Clarus Ventures LLC, with participation from an impressive syndicate that included Frazier Healthcare, Amgen Ventures and Merck Research Labs Venture Fund.
