An obesity drug biotech gets buy-in from Eli Lilly, venture firms

Startup OrsoBio raised $60 million in a Series A round co-led by Longitude Capital and Enavate Sciences, and joined by the pharma’s venture arm.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 7, 2023

Bristol Myers pays $100M for a different kind of ADC

A deal with Orum Therapeutics gives the large pharma access to a blood and bone marrow cancer drug that's ready to enter clinical testing.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 6, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Emerging biotech

New biotechs continue to emerge despite a challenging market environment that has forced venture firms to build their drug startups more cautiously.

By BioPharma Dive staff

November brings new flurry of biotech layoffs

Seres, Kronos Bio and Rani Therapeutics joined Sangamo in announcing job cuts, while private biotech LocanaBio revealed it's shutting down.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 3, 2023

Sangamo to cut jobs again with planned business overhaul

The gene therapy company will move headquarters and reduce its workforce by 40%, while seeking partners for its Fabry and cell therapy research.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 2, 2023

BioMarin to replace CEO Bienaimé with Genentech veteran

The rare disease drug developer is turning to former Genentech head Alexander Hardy as the launch of its Roctavian gene therapy stumbles.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 2, 2023

Bioluminescence Ventures debuts with $477M to speed up drug discovery

The San Francisco-based venture capital firm has already invested in precision medicine as well as cell and gene therapy.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 1, 2023

Lilly buys out Beam in heart drug alliance with Verve

Already a partner to Verve, the pharma is paying $200 million upfront and investing another $50 million in Beam to acquire option rights to several gene editing programs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 31, 2023

Sanofi invests in MeiraGTx and its gene-regulating technology

In addition to Sanofi’s investment, the biotech signaled it’s weighing deals with “multiple” other companies that have expressed interest in its work.

By Delilah Alvarado • Oct. 30, 2023

A brain-focused biotech raises $225M to develop drugs for schizophrenia, Parkinson’s

MapLight Therapeutics’ Series C round saw participation from existing backers as well as new ones like Novo Holdings, 5AM Ventures and Cowen Healthcare Investments.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Oct. 30, 2023

Abingworth raises $356M to invest in late-stage drug development

The venture firm has supported a number of approved medicines with its co-development strategy, including Pfizer’s Besponsa and Apellis’ Empaveli.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Oct. 30, 2023

Vertex gearing up for launch as sickle cell therapy review advances

Executives at the biotech say they’re trying to get ahead of the payer and production challenges that will face their gene editing treatment exa-cel, which is now under FDA review. 

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 26, 2023

Lessons from a biotech downturn: Funding challenges, an IPO dry spell and what to expect in 2024

“Data is king and it’s something that is really standing true in this market,” said William Blair’s Kevin Eisele in a recent BioPharma Dive panel.

By Delilah Alvarado • Oct. 26, 2023

Triveni emerges from biotech merger with $92M for immune disease drugs

Backed by investors like Atlas and Cormorant, Triveni is developing an antibody drug for eczema and asthma that takes aim at a different kind of target.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Oct. 26, 2023

Eisai says new data could support more convenient form of Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi

An under-the-skin injection of Leqembi performed about the same as the already marketed intravenous form, according to trial results presented Wednesday. A new approval application is expected by the end of March.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Oct. 26, 2023

[Podcast] Secure Innovation: How Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Companies Can Safely Seize Opportunity

This podcast series explores how life sciences companies can bolster their cybersecurity while growing their business.

Updated Dec. 19, 2023

OrbiMed raises $4.3B in new funds for startup investing

The money will be spread across three investment funds and comes at a time when investment into biotech remains shakier than in years past.

By Delilah Alvarado • Oct. 24, 2023

Aiolos Bio raises $245M on prospect of better asthma drug

The startup is taking aim at an inflammation-linked protein known as TSLP, which is the target of an approved asthma medicine.

By Kristin Jensen • Oct. 24, 2023

An OrbiMed-backed biotech launches with $85M and plans for a new kind of DNA medicine

Rampart Biosciences closed a Series A round that will fund its goal to develop more potent DNA-based medicines that avoid immune responses.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Updated Oct. 24, 2023

Verve gets FDA green light to run base editing study in US

The trial, which is ongoing in the U.K. and New Zealand, has been on hold in the U.S. since late last year as the FDA sought more details on Verve’s in vivo treatment for heart disease.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 23, 2023

Laronde, Senda Biosciences merge to create new Flagship company

The troubled RNA biotech is merging with Senda, another Flagship company that has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars in investment.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Oct. 19, 2023

PTC to sell spinal muscular atrophy drug royalties for $1B

A second deal with Royalty Pharma around the Roche therapy Evrysdi will allow PTC to retire Blackstone debt and keep more cash for future operations.

By Kristin Jensen • Oct. 19, 2023

Beam to lay off 100 employees, seek partners in research restructuring

The base editing specialist will prioritize medicines for sickle cell and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, while trimming its plans for other programs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 19, 2023

After long journey, Ardelyx gets FDA OK for kidney disease drug

The biotech plans to hire additional sales staff to support the U.S. launch of Xphozah, which had been rejected by the FDA two years ago.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 18, 2023

BrainStorm, after setbacks, withdraws approval application for ALS drug

A panel of FDA advisers last month found BrainStorm’s data unconvincing. The company now says a Phase 3b study will be needed for its NurOwn cell therapy to have a shot at an approval.

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 18, 2023

Ultragenyx to spin out new company around Alzheimer’s gene therapy

CEO Emil Kakkis says the company's findings are too exciting to ignore, but the “high-risk, high-return” venture needs to be pursued outside the organization.

By Kristin Jensen • Oct. 18, 2023