Biotech

  • A medical professional measures a patient's blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer.
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    nortonrsx via Getty Images

    CinCor shares dive after blood pressure drug fails key trial

    The company, one of several developing a drug for treatment-resistant hypertension, had pulled off one of 2022’s top performing biotech IPOs prior to the results.

    By • Nov. 28, 2022
  • A photo of a sign showing the Food and Drug Administration logo
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images

    Spectrum to lay off R&D staff after FDA drug rejection

    The company will cut its R&D workforce by 75% and discontinue development of its experimental lung cancer drug poziotinib.

    By • Nov. 28, 2022
  • Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Explore the Trendline➔
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    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Trendline

    COVID-19 vaccines and the pandemic's third year

    The urgency of the pandemic’s first two years is giving way to questions of how to sustain public health responses and prepare for what could come next. In the U.S., health officials are urging booster shots and preparing for private sector distribution of vaccines.

    By BioPharma Dive staff
  • A photograph of a Sarepta building in Boston, MA
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    Courtesy of Sarepta

    FDA grants speedy review to Sarepta’s Duchenne gene therapy

    The agency will decide on an accelerated approval of Sarepta’s treatment by May 29, months before results are expected from a potentially confirmatory Phase 3 trial.

    By • Nov. 28, 2022
  • Street signs for the intersection of Wall St. and Broad St., with the stripes of an American flag in the background.
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    Michael Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Biotech ObsEva sells drug rights to forestall funding crunch

    In an effort to extend its cash runway and keep its stock listing, ObsEva is offloading rights to an experimental preterm labor drug in a deal with Xoma.

    By • Nov. 22, 2022
  • A view of a sign that reads, "Kendall square: central square, Harvard square, cinema" is framed by a pill outline.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas and Karissa Waddick/Industry Dive; Getty Images 

    The next era of Greater Boston’s biotech boom

    Over the past two decades, the Cambridge area has become a nerve center for biotech in the U.S. But to stay relevant and accessible, the hub is expanding to the suburbs.

    By Karissa Waddick , , • Nov. 22, 2022
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    Dr_Microbe via Getty Images

    Replay reveals second gene therapy spinout, debuting new biotech Telaria

    Telaria is the second spinout in Replay’s “hub-and-spoke” model, and will focus on developing a gene therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
  • Portrait of Gideon Bollag, Opna Bio's CEO.
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    Permission granted by Opna Bio

    Cancer drugmaker Plexxikon gets new life as Opna Bio

    Eight months after Daiichi Sankyo shuttered the San Francisco Bay Area subsidiary, Plexxikon’s former CEO is resuscitating its drug research under a new name.

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
  • A 3D visualization of Laronde's endless RNA, or eRNA
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    Permission granted by Laronde

    Former Rubius CEO to lead buzzy Flagship startup

    Pablo Cagnoni was appointed CEO at the RNA drug startup Laronde days after departing Rubius, a once high-flying biotech that’s now laid off nearly all its employees and is seeking a sale. 

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
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    Regeneron

    Regeneron teams up with CytomX to develop dual-targeting cancer drugs

    Regeneron will pay CytomX $30 million to try to create bispecific antibody drugs that are safer and have a wider reach than existing treatments.  

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
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    monsitj via Getty Images

    Biotechs reveal layoffs, research revamps in third quarter earnings

    Tricida, Harpoon, Freeline and three other small drug developers last week announced plans to cut staff or to reprioritize their drug development.

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • An illustration showing swollen neurons with lamellar inclusions due to accumulation of gangliosides in lysosomes.
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    Dr_Microbe, iStock via Getty Images

    Freeline cuts back as it continues search for gene therapy partner

    The U.K. biotech will sell its German unit and lay off staff to save cash as it focuses on therapies for Gaucher and Fabry diseases.

    By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 16, 2022
  • Portrait of Joanne Kotz and Joel Barrish, two of Jnana Therapeutics' co-founders.
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    Permission granted by Jnana Therapeutics

    Jnana deepens ties with Roche and grabs a new round of funding

    The startup, developing drugs that target an untapped class of proteins called solute carriers, has now formed two lucrative alliances with the Swiss drugmaker since 2020.

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
  • Portrait of John Mulligan, chief executive officer of Bonum.
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    Permission granted by Bonum Therapeutics

    After $250M Roche buyout, a startup plans a second strike with fresh funding

    Backed by the same investors and team as an immunotherapy biotech Roche bought in September, Bonum Therapeutics plans to develop “conditionally” active cancer medicines.

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
  • Street signs for the intersection of Wall St. and Broad St., with the stripes of an American flag in the background.
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    Michael Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Acrivon cuts IPO price to raise $99M for plan to revive old Lilly cancer drug

    Acrivon is the 20th biotech company to go public this year, roughly a fifth of last year’s total at this time, and had to sell more shares at a lower price to complete the deal. 

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
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    Eli Lilly & Co.
    Q&A // Emerging biotech

    Eli Lilly’s Julie Gilmore on finding up-and-coming companies and backing small biotechs

    Only a small fraction of the companies Lilly evaluates get into its incubator, according to Gilmore. Here’s how the big pharma selects them.

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
  • Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a VERO E6 cell heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient sample.
    Image attribution tooltip
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.

    Moderna data supports use of omicron booster over original vaccine

    New results show the two-pronged booster the FDA cleared in August sparks a stronger immune response against omicron and its subvariants than Moderna’s original shot.

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
  • Lariner Square, Denver, Colorado
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    Permission granted by Regis University
    Sponsored by Regis University

    Driving buses helped one biomedical science professional discover his passion — and Regis University

    Hunter Allen realized he loved the responsibility of caring for others. At Regis, he learned how to hone his passion and create healthy communities.

    Nov. 14, 2022
  • The FDA logo on a glass pane at the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Jacob Bell / BioPharma Dive

    FDA declines to review Brainstorm’s ALS therapy

    It’s the latest setback for Brainstorm’s NurOwn, an engineered cell therapy that has been on a winding journey since failing a key study in ALS patients two years ago.

    By • Nov. 11, 2022
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    Kyodo/Newscom

    Seagen picks Novartis, Flagship veteran Epstein as new CEO

    The hiring of David Epstein, who spent the last five years building startups at Flagship, suggested to some investors that a long-rumored acquisition by Merck may not be forthcoming.

    By • Nov. 10, 2022
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    Brian Tucker, BioPharma Dive

    Clovis warns of bankruptcy, lays off staff after up-and-down journey

    The warning, unusual for a company with a marketed drug, comes as the biotech is negotiating with creditors after skipping an interest payment.

    By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 10, 2022
  • A man in a laboratory holds research equipment.
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    Permission granted by Faze Medicines / Marissa Fiorucci

    Third Rock-backed Faze Medicines shutters two years after launch

    The biomolecular condensates-focused company is calling it quits after “the science did not progress sufficiently to meet our bar for further investment,” a spokesperson said.

    By • Nov. 10, 2022
  • A photo of a Biogen building
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    Permission granted by Biogen

    Biogen names former Sanofi head Viehbacher to replace Vounatsos as CEO

    Viehbacher’s appointment ends a monthslong search by Biogen for new leadership and puts the embattled biotech on a new course after the disastrous launch of Aduhelm.

    By , • Updated Nov. 10, 2022
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    "Numbers And Finance" by Ken Teegardin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

    Arrowhead capitalizes on Amgen drug progress with royalty rights deal

    The biotech will sell its royalty interest in a heart disease drug Amgen is developing for $250 million, extending its operating runway by several quarters.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022
  • The sign identifying the FDA headquarters in front of its building in White Oak, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images

    BioMarin signals lengthier FDA review for hemophilia gene therapy

    The agency wants to see forthcoming study results for the biotech's treatment, which could potentially push out an approval decision by three months.

    By • Nov. 8, 2022
  • A photo of a sign inside an Apellis Pharmaceuticals building
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    Courtesy of Apellis Pharmaceuticals

    Apellis defends change in regulatory plans for closely watched eye drug

    Shares have fallen more than 20% since Apellis chose to add new data to its U.S. submission, delaying the drug’s review in geographic atrophy. But on a conference call, executives argued the benefits are worth the cost.

    By • Nov. 8, 2022