Biotech
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Getty / Edited by BioPharma Dive
Beam, Verve stockpile cash as investors bank on gene editing progress
Beam expects to receive $260 million through a private stock placement, while Verve raised $94 million to support initial studies of its heart disease treatment.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 19, 2021 -
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Microscope image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/49565158853/.
Cancer-focused biotech turns its tools to building a 2nd-generation coronavirus vaccine
As worries about coronavirus mutations grow, Gritstone Oncology will work with the NIH to develop a shot capable of stimulating a broad immune response.
By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 19, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
TrendlineInside the global race for a coronavirus vaccine
Some 29 vaccine candidates are now in clinical studies. Early results from five leading efforts are encouraging, suggesting researchers are on the right track despite rapid acceleration of testing.
By BioPharma Dive staff -
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
US pushes for wider use of 'underutilized' COVID-19 antibody drugs as pandemic worsens
A $2.6 billion deal with Regeneron is part of a renewed effort by government officials to bolster uptake of the treatments, which haven't gained traction.
By Ben Fidler • Jan. 15, 2021 -
Regeneron
US to pay up to $2.6B for more doses of Regeneron's COVID-19 antibody drug
The deal expands an earlier agreement between Regeneron and the U.S., though many of the issues limiting the drug's use haven't been solved.
By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 13, 2021 -
Danielle Ternes / BioPharma Dive
JPM21: Gene editing for heart disease, a new date to watch in Alzheimer's research and Pfizer's deep pockets
Verve, a buzzy gene editing startup, unveiled its first drug candidate, which is designed to treat hereditary high cholesterol by changing a single letter in the DNA sequence of a key gene.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 12, 2021 -
Danielle Ternes / BioPharma Dive
JPM21: Vaccines soar, antibodies struggle as COVID-19 drugs become a business
Moderna and Gilead reported billions in sales for their coronavirus treatments, but Regeneron's antibody drug cocktail hasn't gained traction. BioNTech, meanwhile, could report critical new vaccine results in days.
By Jonathan Gardner , Ben Fidler • Jan. 12, 2021 -
Danielle Ternes / BioPharma Dive
JPM21: Biogen faces make-or-break year, Vertex mulls deals and Sarepta pitches a silver lining
After disappointing results from a key study, Sarepta's CEO shared new data on its treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
By Ben Fidler , Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 11, 2021 -
Getty Images
Bluebird to split company, spin off cancer drug business
The high-profile biotech will separate into two independent, publicly traded companies in an attempt to revive its fortunes after several setbacks.
By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler • UPDATED: Jan. 11, 2021 at 2:18 p.m. -
Getty Images
Lilly rockets up on mixed Alzheimer's results
Analysts cautioned that results for Lilly's drug, donanemab, weren't a total home run. Even so, investors sent the company's market value higher by roughly $18 billion.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 11, 2021 -
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Alnylam, with positive data in hand, prepares to submit 4th drug for approval
Late-stage results for vutrisiran look as though they'll help Alnylam deliver on the promise that RNAi technology can be a repeatable drug platform.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 07, 2021 -
Courtesy of CureVac
Bayer partners with CureVac on coronavirus vaccine development
The German companies will work together to push a shot using similar technology as Moderna's and BioNTech's over the finish line.
By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 07, 2021 -
Dollar Photo Club
Dewpoint forges another big pharma partnership — and a potential rivalry
The biotech, which works in the emerging research field of biomolecular condensates, is teaming up with Pfizer to find new treatments for a rare type of muscular dystrophy.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 06, 2021 -
Dollar Photo Club
A new, well-connected biotech aims to fight cancer with viruses
Founded by industry veteran Arie Belldegrun's venture capital firm, IconOVir Bio raised $77 million to push its lead drug — derived from the common cold — into clinical testing.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 05, 2021 -
Ryan McKnight, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Vertex teams up with Skyhawk, leaning on another biotech in bid to diversify
Following a string of deals in edgy, unproven fields of scientific research, Vertex's latest deal involves chemical-based drugs that target RNA — an approach that's already attracted several large pharmas.
By Ben Fidler • Dec. 22, 2020 -
Jonathan Gardner / BioPharma Dive
Changing identity, Agios to sell cancer drug business to Servier
Servier will pay Agios $1.8 billion upfront to acquire the biotech's approved leukemia treatment Tibsovo as well as the rest of its pipeline in cancer and early-stage research work.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 21, 2020 -
Moderna
Moderna's first FDA clearance brings the US a second coronavirus vaccine
The FDA's emergency authorization of the biotech's shot bolstered a nascent immunization campaign in the U.S.
By Ben Fidler • Dec. 18, 2020 -
Jacob Bell / BioPharma Dive
MacroGenics wins FDA approval of breast cancer drug
Margenza, which bested Roche's Herceptin in a head-to-head study, offers a new option to patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have already tried other regimens.
By Kristin Jensen • Dec. 17, 2020 -
A play-by-play of the FDA meeting on Moderna's coronavirus vaccine
Members of an independent advisory committee voted 20-0 to recommend use of the company's experimental shot, paving the way for an emergency authorization from the FDA.
By Ben Fidler , Jonathan Gardner , Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: Dec. 17, 2020 at 5:42 p.m. -
Courtesy of Galapagos
Gilead hands back some rights to key drug from Galapagos deal
The drug, known as filgotinib, recently hit a setback in the U.S., prompting Gilead to lose confidence that it can gain approval or compete against rival medicines in rheumatoid arthritis.
By Jacob Bell • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Courtesy of Sage Therapeutics
Sage replaces CEO Jonas with Alnylam veteran Greene
With Barry Greene, Sage hands the reins to a respected biotech executive who had success in building a commercial organization at Alnylam.
By Kristin Jensen • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Allogene, broadening its reach, helps start a biotech in China
The cell therapy developer is the second company in two days to form a joint venture with Overland Pharmaceuticals, which aims to bring new drugs to Asia.
By Ben Fidler • Dec. 15, 2020 -
Permission granted by Relay Therapeutics
Relay Therapeutics, fresh off IPO, partners with Roche in cancer drug deal
Roche's interest backs up Relay's bet that understanding how proteins move will help it design better drugs.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 14, 2020 -
Lilly's coronavirus drug partner nails down one of biotech's largest IPOs
AbCellera Biologics, a developer of antibody drugs, has raised $483 million through one of the biggest initial public offerings for a biotech in recent years.
By Jacob Bell • Dec. 11, 2020 -
Permission granted by Gilead Sciences
Gilead inks a billion-dollar deal for a hepatitis drug
Adding to a string of deals, the biotech has agreed to acquire Myr Pharmaceuticals and its marketed drug Hepcludex.
By Jacob Bell • Dec. 10, 2020 -
Lilly reports strong results for next-generation diabetes drug
Tirzepatide appears very effective at lowering blood sugar, a boost to Lilly's efforts to fend off Novo Nordisk. But the side effects to treatment will need to be closely watched.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 09, 2020
