Roche buys into Alnylam heart drug in cardiovascular research bet

The Swiss pharma company is the latest large drugmaker to invest big in an experimental heart treatment, after years of prioritizing medicines for cancer and immune diseases.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 24, 2023

Hunting Host Cell Proteins (HCPs) with mass spectrometry

Regulators are recognizing mass spectrometry as a powerful tool in Host Cell Protein analysis. Are you ready to implement HCP-MS?

July 24, 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

Mirati’s KRAS-blocking cancer drug hits setback in Europe

A key committee for the European Medicines Agency recommended against approval of the targeted therapy. Mirati said it intends to appeal the decision.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 21, 2023

Idorsia warns of up to 500 layoffs as part of cost-cutting initiative

The Swiss drugmaker now joins a lengthy list of biotechs that, amid a drawn-out market downturn, have turned to job cuts and research reevaluations to save money.

By Jacob Bell • July 21, 2023

Cell therapy startup Turnstone adds to biotech IPO flurry with $80M raise

The offering is a financial lifeline for Turnstone and the fourth for the sector this month, the first time that’s happened in nearly a year and a half, according to BioPharma Dive data.

By Ben Fidler • July 21, 2023

Swiss startup LimmaTech licenses GSK vaccine, hires ex-CureVac chief as CEO

The startup will take on development of a shigellosis vaccine GSK inherited when it acquired LimmaTech’s predecessor, GlycoVaxyn, in 2015. 

By Kristin Jensen • July 20, 2023

Amarin, Fibrogen lay off staff as biotech cost cutting continues

The two drugmakers moved to trim costs following clinical and commercial setbacks, joining a lengthening list of biotechs forced into similar restructurings.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 19, 2023

Argenx raises $1.1B on heels of rare disease drug data

The follow-on stock offering is particularly large for a biotechnology company and will bolster the financial position of Argenx, now worth nearly $30 billion.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 19, 2023

A cancer biotech’s collapse gives Neurogene a path to Wall Street

The startup, a developer of gene therapies for brain diseases like Rett syndrome, will bypass an IPO by merging with struggling drugmaker Neoleukin.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 18, 2023

An Arch-backed biotech pushes its depression drug into late-stage testing

Neumora Therapeutics said its oral medication, which works differently than other antidepressants, was significantly better than placebo at treating major depressive disorder in a mid-stage study.

By Jacob Bell • July 18, 2023

Novartis buys a preclinical biotech and its RNA drug technology

For $500 million, Novartis will acquire DTx Pharma and its preclinical neurological disease drugs, marking the Swiss company’s latest investment in gene-silencing medicines.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 17, 2023

Apellis shares sink on reports of rare side effects with new vision loss drug

An organization of retinal specialists flagged six cases of severe eye inflammation from commercial use of Syfovre. Apellis says the drug’s safety profile is consistent with testing.

By Ben Fidler • July 17, 2023

Westlake raises $450M in latest biotech venture fund

Leaders from the firm said that, despite a turbulent biotech market, most of their existing limited partners returned to participate in the new fund, which will support approximately a dozen startups.

By Jacob Bell • July 17, 2023

The rise of the new pharma marketer in an evolving commercial model

Meet the pharma marketer of the future, primed for personalization and powered by technology.

July 17, 2023

Apogee, Sagimet price IPOs in positive sign for sluggish biotech market

Industry watchers have predicted the second half of 2023 could be busier for biotech IPOs despite a slow start to the year. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 14, 2023

RNA editing specialist Korro to go public via reverse merger

The deal with Frequency Therapeutics is the latest biotech reverse merger as private drugmakers still face challenges going public via an IPO.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 14, 2023

Rupert Vessey, former Bristol Myers exec, to join Flagship as top scientist

Vessey, who previously led research and early drug development at Celgene and Merck, left Bristol Myers earlier this month following changes in the company’s R&D organization.

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 13, 2023

Startup Tenpoint raises $70M to develop regenerative medicines for the eye

Backed by F-Prime Capital and Sofinnova Partners, the company claims to have technology that could allow it replace eye cells destroyed in age-related and inherited ocular conditions.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 12, 2023

Avrobio halts gene therapy research and considers a sale

The decision to explore “strategic alternatives” comes about six weeks after the company sold its most advanced treatment to Novartis for nearly $90 million.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 12, 2023

Septerna raises $150M to fuel GPCR drug research

RA Capital led a Series B financing round that drew participation from more than a dozen blue-chip venture backers, including new investors Goldman Sachs and Vertex Ventures.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 11, 2023

Merck’s New Jersey campus is getting a biotech makeover

After buying the pharmaceutical giant’s Kenilworth campus, Onyx Equities is looking to make the spot a go-to biotech hub.

By Michael Gibney • July 11, 2023

Astellas buys rights to 4D Molecular’s technology in latest gene therapy deal

The licensing agreement for the biotech’s viral vector platform follows recent Astellas agreements with Taysha Gene Therapies and Kate Therapeutics.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 10, 2023

Nanobiotix licenses cancer treatment to J&J, extending runway

The pharma company will pay $30 million upfront to gain rights to an experimental therapy meant to enhance the anti-tumor effect of radiation.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 10, 2023

European regulators probe suicide risk to Ozempic, other Novo drug Saxenda

Three reports from Iceland spurred the EMA to evaluate whether certain Novo Nordisk drugs, including Ozempic, might cause thoughts of self harm.

By Jonathan Gardner • July 10, 2023

Brii buys further into VBI therapy, expanding hepatitis B partnership

The deal comes three months after VBI cut costs and laid off staff in a restructuring meant to prioritize the two medicines Brii is interested in. 

By Delilah Alvarado • July 6, 2023