Eli Lilly and Co. plans to buy Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc for $6.3 billion in up-front cash and another potential $1.5 billion through contingent value rights, gaining access to a pipeline of orexin receptor 2 agonists for sleep disorders. The Indianapolis-based pharma is re-entering a field that has multibillion-dollar potential and one that could emulate the success seen with its obesity program. Centessa, of Boston and London, has a lead candidate, cleminorexton (formerly ORX-750), with positive phase IIa data in narcolepsy types 1 and 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia. Read More
Biogen Inc. hardly blinked at the competition faced by Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc. as the two companies sealed a deal whereby the former has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of the latter for $41 each, or about $5.6 billion. Read More
Galapagos NV is about to bury its recent turbulent past and sail off for the future with its $3 billion cash pile and the new name of Lakefront Biotherapeutics NV. The foundation for the transition was laid earlier this month in an arrangement with Gilead Sciences Inc., holder of 25% of Galapagos’ equity, to “co-parent” the assets of Ouro Medicines LLC, which Gilead is acquiring for up to $2.17 billion. Read More
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s monoclonal antibody, rademikibart (CBP-201), met the primary endpoint in a Chinese phase III study in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Read More
Whoop Inc. secured $575 million in a series G funding round at a $10.1 billion valuation to advance its AI-powered wearable platform for personalized and preventive health care. Abbott Laboratories joined the round as a strategic investor, backing the company’s push to expand access to its device amid growing demand. Read More
Braveheart Bio Inc. reported positive results from an open-label randomized phase II dose-ranging study of BHB-1893 (HRS-1893) in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session and Expo in New Orleans showed BHB-1893 treatment was associated with rapid and substantial reductions in left ventricular outflow tract gradient, the primary endpoint of the study. Read More
The U.S. path forward is narrowing for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s tradipitant as a treatment for gastroparesis, a serious disorder for which there’s been no new treatment in several decades. Read More
What do a patent dispute over a CRISPR/Cas system, a rejected whistleblower case involving lab tests and a vaccine injury claim parading as multidistrict tort litigation have in common? All three were denied cert in the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest orders list. Read More
Biopharma and med-tech companies raising money in public or private financings, including: 4DMedical, Alamar, Anaptysbio,Arch, Artelo, Centivax, First Tracks, Kailera, Oncomatryx. Read More
Clinical updates for biopharma and med tech, including data readouts and publications: Alumis, Arcutis, Arrowhead, Biogen, Boston Scientific, BMS, Castle, Cathworks, Connect, Idorsia, Incyte, Inflarx, Innovent, Johnson & Johnson, Kardigan, Kymera, Levicept, Medtronic, Moonlake, Pie Medical, Priovant, Sanofi, Simcere, Takeda, United, Viridian. Read More
Biopharma and med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, and other news in brief: AP Biosciences, Aurinia, Biocytogen, Enodia, Everest Medicines, J&J, Kezar, Konica Minolta, Radiant Vision, Royalty Pharma, Taisho, Tasly. Read More
Regulatory snapshots for biopharma and med tech, including global submissions and approvals, and other regulatory decisions and designations: 4DMedical, Anumana, Biogen, Boston Scientific, Bridgebio, Butterfly, Chiesi, Egetis, Eisai,Elevar, GSK, Merck, Nanoscope, Roche, Savara, SS Innovations, Sobi, Teva, Zymeworks. Read More
