Ajinomoto spices up its biopharma business with gene therapy deal

Forge Biologics operates a contract manufacturing business and develops its own gene therapies, which appears to have attracted the Japan-based food and biotechnology company.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 13, 2023

CAR-T biotech Cargo Therapeutics prices $281M IPO

While the proceeds came in at the low end of Cargo’s expected range, the IPO is the fourth largest this year for a biotech company.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 10, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

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.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Biogen says growth is coming, but won’t specify when

CEO Chris Viehbacher said the company has “the elements to think about a return to topline growth.” Yet, that goal hinges on the successful commercialization of multiple new products.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Nov. 8, 2023

Flagship expands into Asia-Pacific with new Singapore hub

The biotech company creator hopes its new office will help its portfolio companies grow and strike partnerships in the region.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 7, 2023

Ventyx revises TYK2 drug plans after lackluster study data

The biotech will terminate studies of its drug in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis after the “magnitude of efficacy” reported in one was less than Ventyx’s target.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 7, 2023

CEO Anne Wojcicki on turning 23andMe into a ‘full-fledged biotech’

23andMe always had larger aims than at-home genetics testing. In this in-depth interview, Wojcicki explains the company’s foray into drug R&D.

By Alexandra Pecci • Nov. 7, 2023

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

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