Today, a brief rundown of news involving CSL and Intellia Therapeutics, as well as updates from Eli Lilly and 23andme that you may have missed.
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved CSL’s Andembry, an antibody drug known scientifically as garadacimab, for hereditary angioedema. Andembry is a first-of-its-kind, once-monthly injection that prevents the swelling attacks associated with the condition. Its approval was issued only days after the regulator delayed a decision on another hereditary angioedema drug from Kalvista Therapeutics, citing “resource constraints.” The agency has an additional therapy for the condition on its docket this summer as well, as a verdict on Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ donidalorsen is expected by Aug. 21. — Ben Fidler
Intellia Therapeutics revealed new results showing the effects of its gene editing treatment for hereditary angioedema have persisted through as much as three years of follow-up in a Phase 1 trial. According to Intellia, a single dose of its therapy, lonvo-z, led to a 98% average reduction in monthly swelling attacks in all 10 patients treated, and all of those participants haven't received other medications for a median of 23 months. The findings support the drug's "best-in-class efficacy profile," but Intellia's "valuation disconnect" will still likely persist until the company releases late-stage results or addresses investor concerns about its financial footing, wrote Leerink Partners analyst Mani Foroohar. Study data could come next year, according to a federal database. — Ben Fidler
A group led by 23andMe’s cofounder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki won an auction to buy the DNA testing firm out of bankruptcy, the company said Friday. The group, TTAM Research Institute, prevailed with a $305 million offer after 23andMe reopened an auction that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals had won last month. Regeneron will now serve as the “backup bidder” pending court approval and the deal’s closing, which is expected in the “coming weeks,” 23andMe said. TTAM is acquiring all of the company’s assets, including a telehealth business that would’ve been wound down under Regeneron’s proposal. — Ben Fidler
Eli Lilly will now provide all doses of its obesity medicine Zepbound through an online service that sells the drug to people without health insurance or who choose to pay out of pocket, the company said Monday. The 12.5 and 15 milligram weekly vials will be added to the program and available for $499 per month — similar to all of the other doses of at least 5 milligrams — for first fills as well as refills within 45 days. The lower, starter dose still costs $349. The company’s “LillyDirect” service works with online pharmacies like Eversana and Amazon Pharmacy to distribute Zepbound and other drugs, while rival Novo Nordisk has partnered with telehealth companies like Hims & Hers that had sold compounded obesity medicines. Lilly CFO Lucas Montarce said at an investor conference last week that the company won’t work with telehealth companies making copycat versions of Zepbound. — Jonathan Gardner
