Biogen Inc. and Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd. gained FDA clearance for Byooviz (ranibizumab-nuna), a biosimilar that references the VEGF therapy Lucentis (ranibizumab) from Roche Holding AG, as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion and myopic choroidal neovascularization. Byooviz is the first ophthalmology biosimilar to win the go-ahead in the U.S., and was approved in the EU on Aug. 18, 2021, followed by the U.K. on Aug. 31, 2021. Read More
LONDON – There were well-deserved celebrations in Paris on Sept. 20, as Jeito Capital toasted the oversubscribed close of its first fund at €534 million (US$625.5 million). This is claimed as the largest European venture fund dedicated to life sciences, exceeding the original target of €500 million, and with €340 million of the total raised under the constraints of the pandemic from January 2020 onward. Read More
Pfizer Inc. and Biontech SE have announced new data that could pave the way for childhood COVID-19 vaccine programs, with findings of a trial showing their shot is safe and effective in children of 5 to 12 years of age. Read More
Despite Beyondspring Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s phase III study meeting its primary and key secondary endpoints of a plinabulin/docetaxel combination in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the company stock (NADAQ:BYSI) took a pounding. Shares sunk 32.9% on Sept. 20 to close at $15.36 each. Read More
Monoclonal antibodies are already a pillar of cancer therapy, and cancer makes up the largest indication of FDA-approved antibodies, with almost 40% of the total. At the 2021 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, Elena Garralda predicted that engineered versions of classical antibodies will soon join them on their pedestal. Read More
Sanofi SA’s high-profile phase III blow-up Sept. 9 with the oral BTK inhibitor rilzabrutinib in pemphigus brought fresh attention to the group of rare diseases – which cause blisters on the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body – and to players pushing for a new treatment. Read More
Celltrion Inc. is riding high after receiving full approval for Regkirona (regdanvimab), as a treatment for COVID-19 in South Korea, seven months after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) granted it conditional marketing approval in February 2021. Read More
While 2020 is certainly a hard year to beat, 2021 has so far recorded a respectable amount of biopharma deals and is on track to exceed every other year. Read More
New and updated preclinical and clinical data presented by biopharma firms at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2021, including: Agenus, Alpha Cancer, Astrazeneca, Boehringer, Bridge, Corcept, Daiichi, Deciphera, Eqrx, Gritstone, Imcheck, Janssen, Junshi, Novartis, Tachyon, TCR2, Tilt. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: AB Science, Abbvie, Abcellera, Alvotech, Aveo, Beigene, Biogen, Biomea, Biontech, BMS, Deciphera, Galapagos, Henlius, Innocare, Janssen, Keymed, Merck, Moderna, Pfizer, Protagonist, Roche. Read More
