As fellow gene editing firm Crispr Therapeutics AG hosted an innovation day in which it confirmed plans for regulatory filings by year-end for an ex vivo gene editing therapy in sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, Precision Biosciences Inc. announced plans to develop an in vivo gene editing approach through a collaboration with Novartis AG that brings Precision an initial $75 million with up to $1.4 billion in potential milestones. Read More
Galapagos NV is making a decisive shift away from its small-molecule roots, sealing the simultaneous acquisition of CAR T-cell therapy specialist Cellpoint BV and fully-human antibody company Aboundbio Inc. The Cellpoint deal is by far the largest, with Galapagos paying €125 million (US$132 million) cash up front, with a further €100 million to come in milestones. The price for Aboundbio of Pittsburgh, is $14 million. Read More
Investigators at Stanford University and Baylor College of Medicine have identified an exercise-induced appetite suppressant that led to weight loss when administered to obese mice. The molecule, Lac-Phe, has led to predictable excitement around the possibility of appetite-suppressing exercise in a pill. Read More
Shares of Athira Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHA) plunged almost 66.3%, or $5.60, to close at $2.85 on June 22 after the company disclosed top-line results from its exploratory phase II study with fosgonimeton (ATH-1017, fosgo) in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Read More
While BioWorld’s Biopharmaceutical Index remains down slightly from the end of last year, recent gains by several companies suggest the industry may be beginning to bounce back. Read More
While the biopharma industry was widely praised for its fast response to the COVID-19 pandemic, moves are afoot to ensure that the world is better prepared in case another pandemic hits. Moderna Inc. was one of the companies that blazed a trail in the early stages of the pandemic with its revolutionary mRNA vaccine. Now the firm is investing in manufacturing and R&D in the U.K. to make good on a pledge to respond to the next global disease threat within 100 days of its detection. Read More
Novartis AG is not going quietly into the night after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed itself, invalidating a method patent covering a dosing regimen for the company’s blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug, Gilenya (fingolimod). After the split opinion came down June 21 from the three-judge panel, Novartis said it planned to file a petition seeking further review of the decision by the full court. Read More
New hires and promotions in the biopharma industry, including: Arca, Arcellx, Aziyo, Cyclacel, Mei, Merck, Nextcure, Nutcracker, Rockwell Medical, Sirtlab. Read More
Biopharmas raising money in public or private financings, including: Alladapt Immunotherapeutics, Arcellx, Cantargia, IMV, Precision, Tonix, Vibe. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Cortexyme, Kiromic, Halberd, SQZ, Surface, Tonix. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Abbvie, Acer, Ardelyx, Beigene, Ceruvia, Eli Lilly, Eyepoint, Innovent, Medsenic, Midatech, Nuvectis, Ocumension, Phanes, Regulus, Relief, Tranquis, Xenon. Read More
