Biotech: Page 2

Beam, Apellis partner in deal to expand gene editing's reach

The companies aim to develop therapies for complement-driven diseases, a specialty of Apellis and relatively new research ground for gene editing. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: June 30, 2021 at 5:55 p.m.

Deals surge, returns slip: takeaways from a record half for biotech IPOs

Biotech initial public offerings could break records set just last year. But their average size and performance are declining, which some say might reflect an overdue correction.

By Ben Fidler • June 30, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

The expanding world of RNA therapies

Vaccines from BioNTech and Moderna proved the power of messenger RNA in medicine. A growing field of RNA-targeting therapies is advancing alongside them.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Roche partner sees promise for anti-COVID 19 pill in early study

A pill from Atea Pharmaceuticals rapidly reduced the amount of virus in the blood of patients with COVID-19, a step forward in drugmaker efforts to develop easier-to-take treatments for the disease.

By Kristin Jensen • June 30, 2021

Pfizer's neuroscience spinout scores in schizophrenia

Cerevel Therapeutics on Tuesday revealed positive results from an early-stage study of one of its drugs, doubling the price of the company's stock.

By Jacob Bell • June 29, 2021

Gilead, Foresite back biotech developer of COVID-19 pill in latest SPAC deal

A merger with Foresite Capital's blank-check company makes Pardes Biosciences the latest well-funded drugmaker pursuing development of an oral coronavirus antiviral.  

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 29, 2021

Congress pressures FDA and Biogen on Alzheimer's drug approval, price

The agency's decision-making process as well as Biogen's pricing of Aduhelm at $56,000 per year are both under the microscope as the repercussions of the controversial OK continue to be felt.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 28, 2021

Gilead matches Bristol Myers in showing benefit to earlier CAR-T treatment

A study of Gilead's Yescarta found the cell therapy dramatically outperformed chemotherapy and stem cell transplant in treating lymphoma, a result that could support much broader use of the drug.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 28, 2021

Arcus claims positive study results for lung cancer drug, but shares no details

The lack of specific data frustrated analysts, but shares in Arcus rose by double digits Thursday. Partner Gilead is expected to make a decision on whether to license the drug later this year. 

By Kristin Jensen • June 24, 2021

Third Rock-backed startup launches to develop cell therapies for MS, diabetes

Led by CEO Samantha Singer, Abata Therapeutics has $95 million to advance its plans to engineer regulatory T cells for treating autoimmune diseases.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 23, 2021

Blackstone to invest $250M in cell therapy startup backed by Intellia, Cellex

The new company aims to pair Intellia's CRISPR gene editing technology with a CAR-T cell therapy platform built by Cellex subsidiary GEMoaB. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 22, 2021

Sponsored by Millipore-Sigma®

Incorporating automation and digitalization into the industrial microbiology workflow

A closer look at the impact of automated and digitalized technologies on the industrial microbiology workflow. 

By Brad Grobler, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Biomonitoring Solutions at MilliporeSigma • June 21, 2021

Trial failure dashes Biogen hopes for next Alzheimer's drug

Days after Aduhelm's approval, Biogen said an experimental drug that works in a different way didn't help patients, leading the company to stop research.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 17, 2021

FDA approves Blueprint cancer drug for use in rare blood disease

The agency's decision makes available a new treatment option for patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis, boosting the biotech in the process.

By Kristin Jensen • June 17, 2021

Gene editing biotech Verve to raise $267M in large IPO

Capitalizing on investor interest in gene editing, the high-profile startup has secured one of the richest biotech initial public offerings priced this year.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 17, 2021

CureVac vaccine disappoints in key study amid 'unprecedented' spread of variants

The German biotech’s shot appeared less effective than other mRNA vaccines at preventing COVID-19. But it's unclear whether differences between the shots, or exposure to more elusive variants in testing, are the cause.

By Ben Fidler • UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 11:37 a.m.

Biogen gene therapy deal has yet to bear fruit

Another gene therapy from Nightstar Therapeutics, which Biogen bought for $800 million in 2019, has failed in a key clinical study.

By Jacob Bell • June 15, 2021

Former FDA chief Hahn joins venture firm that launched Moderna

Hahn's appointment as chief medical officer of Flagship Pioneering is another example of FDA officials joining industry after their government service. Hahn's predecessor, Scott Gottlieb, sits on Pfizer's board of directors. 

By Jonathan Gardner • June 15, 2021

Sage antidepressant succeeds in key study, but data raise questions

Zuranolone, a drug that's crucial for Sage's future and the focus of a multi-billion dollar bet by Biogen, could be headed for a regulatory review. But new trial results are more mixed than the overall outcome suggests. 

By Ben Fidler , Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: June 15, 2021 at 10:39 a.m.

Moderna founder raises another $2B to fuel new startups

Flagship Pioneering reopened one of its funds in April, quickly raising fresh cash for new biotech investments.

By Jacob Bell • June 14, 2021

Blood disease treatment from CRISPR, Vertex shows promise in more patients

The latest results from the companies' trials give support to hopes that CRISPR gene editing could functionally cure sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 11, 2021

Vertex stops work on second rare disease drug after study results disappoint

The biotech said its drug for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency wasn't potent enough to advance into further testing, but plans to move others into clinical trials next year.

By Jacob Bell • UPDATED: June 11, 2021 at 10:28 a.m.

Beigene expands into cancer cell therapy with Shoreline pact

The fast-growing biotech will work with Shoreline to develop cancer treatments using natural killer cells, an emerging alternative to T-cell based therapies. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 09, 2021

Deep Dive

A first-of-its-kind Alzheimer's drug raises heavy questions around who will and won't get it

Biogen priced its newly approved medicine Aduhelm at an average cost of $56,000 a year, adding affordability to other barriers patients may face. 

By Jacob Bell • June 08, 2021

The FDA approved Biogen's Alzheimer's drug. The company now has years to confirm it works.

Officially, Biogen has until 2029 to complete a study confirming Aduhelm's benefit. But the agency says it hopes to push the drugmaker to finish faster.

By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: June 9, 2021 at 10:33 a.m.

Deep Dive

In historic move, FDA approves a closely watched and controversial Alzheimer's drug

With the decision, the agency cleared the way for what many predict will become a lucrative and sought-after option — though fierce debate continues over whether Biogen's aducanumab actually benefits patients' daily lives.

By Jacob Bell • UPDATED: June 7, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.