Shares in Forma Therapeutics Holdings Inc. gained 51% as Novo Nordisk A/S made a $20-per-share offer that values the firm’s equity at $1.1 billion. The stock (NASDA:FMTX) had closed at $13.40 prior to the disclosure of the bid on Sept. 1. It closed the day at $20.24, up $6.84, suggesting at least some optimistic investors believe the final price could go higher. Read More
Sinocelltech Group Ltd. has received marketing approval for its recombinant chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, ripertamab (SCT-400), from China’s NMPA to treat patients with CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The country’s first homegrown anti-CD20 therapy, ripertamab has been shown to have similar efficacy to global blockbuster rituximab but with a superior safety profile. Read More
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has raised HK$471.1 million (US$60 million) in net proceeds through an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Sept. 1. It plans to use about three-quarters of the proceeds to advance clinical trials of two of its core anticancer candidates, YH-003 and YH-001. Company shares (HKEX:2315), initially offered at HK$25.22 each, closed at HK$26 on their first trading day. Read More
In the hope of preventing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths over the next few months, the U.S. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) voted 13-1 Sept. 1 to recommend the use of Moderna Inc.’s and Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE’s updated vaccines that contain components of both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the omicron BA.4/5 subvariants as boosters. Read More
As cases and deaths begin to level out, not showing the up-and-down spikes indicative of the first two COVID-19 pandemic years, the world may finally breathe a sigh of relief. But behind the scenes, the biopharma industry and global governments are not underestimating the evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus. Read More
Treatment with injections of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, indicated to prevent sexual maturation deficits in Down syndrome, also reduced cognitive function impairment associated Down syndrome, also called trisomy 21. Read More
Regulation of advanced therapies has come under scrutiny at a conference in London, as activity in the sector heats up amid Europe’s root and branch review of pharmaceutical legislation. Read More
The University of Sydney is investing AU$478 million (US$326.5 million) to build a leading biomedical precinct to fast-track research and shorten the time between discovery and development of transformative therapies. Read More
Irked by what state officials described as "bureaucratic roadblocks" to Florida's proposal for importing cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 31 announced a state lawsuit against the U.S. FDA. Read More
New hires and promotions in the biopharma industry, including: Aicuris, Avid, Foghorn, Galera, Geovax, Ginkgo Bioworks, Novartis, Ocugen, Omega, Pharnext, Recce. Read More
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Amgen, Biocardia, Bright Minds, Futura, Hepion, Hightide, Hillevax, Immunogen, Lannett, Madrigal, Recordati, Regenxbio. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Aquestive, Ascendis, Biocryst, Epiendo, Innocare, Maze, Nanomerics, Novartis, Scilex, Synox, Trethera, United Biopharma. Read More
