Xoma, a drug royalty specialist, buys another ‘zombie’ biotech

A deal to acquire Alkermes spinout Mural Oncology is Xoma’s fourth since June and the latest evidence of interest in buying and shutting down struggling drugmakers.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 20, 2025

Viking shares sink as obesity pill misses expectations in key study

The company’s market value was nearly cut in half following trial results showing higher rates of treatment discontinuations among people receiving Viking’s drug. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 19, 2025

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Cell therapy

The continued emergence of CAR-T therapy has fueled research into next-generation approaches and new applications, such as its use in autoimmune diseases or in reprogramming cells inside the body.

By BioPharma Dive staff

CSL to separate vaccine business, cut jobs

On an earnings call, CSL CEO Paul McKenzie described weakness in the U.S. market for seasonal flu vaccines as “disappointing” and “highly irrational.”

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 19, 2025

PTC drug for Friedrich’s ataxia rejected; Lilly sells nearly $7B in bonds

The FDA said data for PTC's drug did not prove "substantial evidence of efficacy." Elsewhere, the FDA delayed its decision on a Regenxbio gene therapy and Skyhawk Therapeutics struck a deal.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Aug. 19, 2025

Omega’s Otello Stampacchia on the ‘reset’ changing biotech for the better

Tough times in the industry are forcing changes in investment and governance that should result in a healthier sector, the Omega Funds founder said.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 19, 2025

Stealth resubmits rare disease drug to FDA

The biotech, which cut jobs following the rejection in May of its Barth syndrome therapy, claimed it has addressed the agency’s concerns and now sees potential for a speedy review.

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 18, 2025

Kennedy’s mRNA cuts could set US science back, experts warn

Scientists say HHS’ decision to defund mRNA vaccine research will leave the country less prepared for pandemics, and make it harder to invest in companies advancing the technology.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 18, 2025

Reunion’s psychedelic drug headed to late-stage testing

The drug, which functions similar to psilocybin, scored positive enough results in a mid-stage study that Reunion is now setting up a larger experiment to hopefully secure approval in postpartum depression.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 18, 2025

Novo’s Wegovy becomes first GLP-1 drug approved for MASH

The FDA clearance sets Novo’s medicine up for a market battle with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ fast-selling Rezdiffra.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 18, 2025

Precigen wins immunotherapy approval; Pfizer sickle cell drug fails trial

The FDA’s announcement of Papzimeos’ approval contained an unusual quote from newly reinstated CBER director Vinay Prasad. Elsewhere, Eli Lilly and Superluminal Medicines struck a deal.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Aug. 15, 2025

Vedanta, PureTech’s microbiome startup, to cut staff after study setback

The result marks the latest failure for a microbiome therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, which has long been a top target of Vedanta and other companies like it.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 14, 2025

PureTech launches new biotech built around lung disease drug

The spinout, known as Celea Therapeutics, will advance what’s designed to be an improved version of the drug pirfenidone for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 12, 2025

Bayer buys into KRAS cancer drug; Novartis immune therapy goes 3 for 3

The German pharma will license a KRAS G12D inhibitor from Kumquat Biosciences. Elsewhere, a Biohaven OCD drug missed its study goal, while Biogen and Stoke began a key Phase 3 test.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Aug. 12, 2025

Expedition, a startup searching for drugs from China, cuts its first deal

The startup agreed to pay Fosun Pharma as much as $645 million for a drug in testing for multiple lung conditions, including bronchiectasis.

By Ben Fidler • Updated Aug. 12, 2025

IO Biotech sees path forward for skin cancer vaccine despite study setback

A regimen involving the company’s shot failed a Phase 3 trial “by a hair,” an executive said, leading the company to believe it still could win U.S. approval.

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 11, 2025

As gene therapy sales sputter, one biotech aims to defy the odds

With a strong launch underway for a bladder cancer gene therapy, Ferring is finding the kind of commercial success that’s eluded many of its peers.

By Meagan Parrish • Aug. 11, 2025

Vinay Prasad, in surprise reversal, to rejoin FDA after abrupt departure

One analyst speculated that, going forward, Prasad may be less “heavy-handed” in reviewing rare disease therapies given the public backlash to the agency’s confrontation with Sarepta.

By Ben Fidler • Updated Aug. 11, 2025

BioNTech ends patent fight with mRNA rival CureVac ahead of buyout deal

The complex settlement, which hands payouts and royalties to CureVac and partner GSK, comes as BioNTech is inching toward an acquisition of its one-time COVID-19 vaccine competitor.

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 8, 2025

Elevidys sales weaken; Neumora gets into obesity

Sarepta reported a quarter-on-quarter dip in sales for its Duchenne gene therapy. Elsewhere, Jazz won FDA approval of a brain cancer drug and Novo decided to advance a Prothena medicine into Phase 3.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Aug. 8, 2025

Strand raises another $153M to make ‘programmable’ mRNA drugs

The fundraise will help advance a cancer therapy that’s already shown early promise in people whose cancers haven’t responded to drugs like Keytruda.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 7, 2025

Arvinas, Pfizer reworking partnership on ‘Protac’ cancer drug

The smaller market now envisioned for vepdegestrant has changed both companies’ stance on their original deal, leading to negotiations that could either lead to a new alliance or Arvinas to seek a new partner. 

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 7, 2025

Iovance cuts staff amid slow sales start for ‘TIL’ cell therapy

In its latest earnings report, Iovance confirmed plans to reduce its workforce by 19% in a bid to save $100 million in yearly costs.

By Ben Fidler • Updated Aug. 8, 2025

HHS abandons mRNA vaccine research

One vaccine expert called the move, which cancels some $500 million in messenger RNA research contracts, a “giant step backward for science.” 

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 6, 2025

Nxera debuts an obesity pipeline; BridgeBio battles Alnylam for market share

The company formerly known a Sosei Heptares unveiled new weight loss programs. Elsewhere, BridgeBio and Madrigal unveiled sales numbers for their chief drugs.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Aug. 6, 2025

US biotech needs government support to match China’s gains, Pfizer CEO says

“The biotech industry needs to be supported by the government, by Congress,” Pfizer’s Albert Bourla told investors in Aug. 5 comments on China’s rising competitiveness.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 5, 2025