Biotech

Trial setback casts doubt on a biotech's respiratory virus drug

As vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus progressed, Enanta used its hepatitis C know-how to develop an antiviral pill. Yet data in lower-risk patients raise questions of whether it can work.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 19, 2022

Cancer drug startup draws former Vertex CEO to board

Jeffrey Leiden will team up again with biotech entrepreneur Gary Glick, this time as board chairman of Glick's new company, the recently launched Odyssey Therapeutics.

By Kristin Jensen • May 19, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Cell therapy

Six CAR-T cell therapies are now approved in the U.S., and their continued emergence has helped fueled further research into next-generation approaches.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Vertex adds to Boston expansion with plans for new site

The addition, which will be located next to the company's newly dedicated cell and gene facility, could make Vertex the largest biotech by square footage in the city.

By Kristin Jensen • May 18, 2022

Moderna may seek to claw back payments to ex-CFO

Jorge Gomez, who lasted one day on the job before being ousted over an investigation at his former company, is owed $700,000 — money Moderna says it can recoup if wrongdoing is proven.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 17, 2022

Scientists home in on cause of Duchenne gene therapy side effect

An unusual collaboration among gene therapy developers suggests certain mutations could be behind "peculiar" side effects experienced by several patients treated in clinical trials.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated May 18, 2022

Agios to cut jobs as it moves away from exploratory research

The biotech expects that, by keeping its focus on more advanced projects and clinical programs, it could save on average $40 million to $50 million annually for the next several years

By Jacob Bell • May 16, 2022

Seagen CEO Siegall resigns amid domestic violence investigation

The biotech company is searching for a permanent successor to Clay Siegall, who was arrested last month for alleged domestic violence. CMO Roger Dansey will continue as interim CEO.

By Ben Fidler • Updated May 16, 2022

Taiho, chasing larger rivals, buys back rights to Cullinan cancer drug

The deal hands $275 million upfront to Cullinan, whose medicine is being developed for a genetic driver of lung tumors that's become a top target for drugmakers.

By Kristin Jensen • May 12, 2022

Moderna's finance head is out as former employer conducts investigation

Jorge Gomez, who officially took the CFO reins Monday, lasted one day on the job. His departure comes as Gomez's previous company, Dentsply Sirona, looks into financial allegations against current and former executives.

By Jacob Bell • May 11, 2022

In first, Verve gets clearance to test base editing inside the body

Regulators in New Zealand have allowed human testing to proceed, another milestone for the gene editing technology. Verve plans to soon ask for approval to begin testing in the U.S. and U.K., too. 

By Kristin Jensen • May 11, 2022

Against a historic market downturn, Moma Therapeutics raises $150M for precision cancer research

The biotech's Series B round, which kicked off early this year, should fund its work on "molecular machines" until at least 2024, according to CEO Asit Parikh.

By Jacob Bell • May 10, 2022

Former Novartis exec joins ADC Therapeutics as CEO after brief stint as Rafael head

Ameet Mallik takes over for founder Chris Martin at helm of the antibody drug developer after a seven-month run leading Rafael Holdings, which reported a clinical trial setback last October.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 9, 2022

Clay Siegall, founding Seagen CEO, takes leave amid domestic violence accusation

The company's board is investigating the allegation, which Siegall, who has led Seattle's largest biotech for 24 years, denied. Chief Medical Officer and former Merck executive Roger Dansey was named interim CEO.

By Ben Fidler • May 9, 2022

PatientLink by TrialCard: The digital patient support platform

New offering aligns with industry shift towards healthcare consumerism and empowers life science leaders to deliver highly personalized patient support experiences.

May 9, 2022

Argenx drug succeeds in trial, beats sales forecasts

The biotech reported positive results from a study meant to expand Vyvgart's use to another immune disorder, while sales from the drug's first quarter on the market exceeded expectations.

By Kristin Jensen • May 5, 2022

Intercept sells international rights to liver drug in $400M deal

Advanz Pharma will obtain rights to Ocaliva outside the U.S., handing its maker an upfront payment nearly equivalent to its market value.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 5, 2022

Biogen, having scrapped Aduhelm, tries to convince investors of turnaround plan

Though executives claimed that inking deals and derisking research programs are priorities, analysts questioned whether any meaningful strategic changes will occur in the near term. 

By Jacob Bell • May 4, 2022

Moderna vaccine sales surpass expectations as company looks to fall boosters

The trajectory of COVID-19 vaccine sales is now harder to predict amid questions about the rollout of additional doses and whether purchasing in the U.S. might shift from the federal government to private payers.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 4, 2022

Regeneron tries to shake off fall in COVID drug sales with first quarter earnings

Partnerships and profit-sharing deals helped Regeneron overcome the sudden loss of U.S. revenue for its coronavirus antibody, which was withdrawn from the market as omicron spread.

By Kristin Jensen • May 4, 2022

Spero to lay off 75% of workforce, change strategy after FDA challenges study results

Agency statisticians took a different view of the Phase 3 results the biotech was relying on to support approval of a new antibiotic, an announcement that triggered the sector's latest restructuring.

By Ben Fidler • May 4, 2022

Biogen CEO to step down as company pulls back from Alzheimer's drug

Michel Vounatsos, Biogen's CEO since 2017, will be replaced as the company "substantially" eliminates the commercial workforce around Aduhelm, which has generated paltry sales in the face of resistance from insurers and doctors.

By Jacob Bell • Updated May 3, 2022

A cancer biotech attracts another deep-pocketed partner in Gilead

Following rivals like Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck, Gilead has linked up with Dragonfly Therapeutics to develop new immunotherapies based on "natural killer cell engagers."

By Jacob Bell • May 2, 2022

AbbVie's first shot at Vertex misses, but it's not abandoning cystic fibrosis

Executives on Friday said that the company's three-drug therapy, a possible threat to Vertex's top-selling medicine Trikafta, didn't meet expectations in a key study. A new combination could start testing next year, however.

By Jacob Bell • April 29, 2022

After setbacks, a gene therapy company mulls a sale

Sio Gene Therapies, formerly known as Axovant, said it's focused on conserving cash, and has decided to significantly reduce its workforce and terminate licensing agreements on its last two pipeline programs.

By Jacob Bell • April 28, 2022

Two biotechs set out to end sector's IPO drought

HilleVax and Belite Bio could soon become the first biotechs to go public in almost two months, representing a key test of investors’ willingness to support emerging life sciences companies.

By Ben Fidler • April 27, 2022