Amylyx ALS drug sales tick higher after fast US launch

In Europe, however, the biotech is appealing a negative decision from regulators that has for now blocked its path to market there.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 11, 2023

HIV cell therapy startup Addimmune heads to Wall Street via blank-check merger

The deal will help fund a cell-based treatment that completed Phase 1 testing last year and is designed to provide a “functional cure” for patients with HIV infections.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 10, 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

Novo adds another obesity drug in $1B deal for startup Inversago

The acquisition follows a similar-sized, obesity-focused buyout by Eli Lilly last month and hands Novo a weight-loss medicine already in mid-stage testing. 

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 10, 2023

Alltrna raises $109M for ‘transfer RNA’ drug vision

The Flagship-backed company claims its technology can create genetic drugs that work broadly to treat diseases caused by “stop” mutations.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 9, 2023

Emergent to lay off around 400 in pivot away from contract manufacturing

The job cuts will affect “all areas of the company” and, combined with other cost-reduction efforts, lead to annualized savings of over $100 million, Emergent said.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 8, 2023

Biopharma sector still growing despite layoff wave, Stifel report finds

The investment bank estimates that, while many smaller biotechs are laying off staff, larger companies are still growing from early 2021 levels.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 7, 2023

Sage considers cuts after FDA’s split decision on depression drug

Analysts are now questioning whether Sage’s partner Biogen will hand back rights to the drug, which was approved for postpartum depression but not major depressive disorder.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 7, 2023

Ikena acquires cancer startup Pionyr after Gilead passes on buyout

The all-stock deal comes months after Gilead waived an option to buy Pionyr, and gives Ikena some needed breathing room in a tough market.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 7, 2023

Claudin 6 (CLDN6) T Cell engagers for CLDN6-positive solid tumors

As research evolves for new oncology treatments, companies including Context Therapeutics are developing potential therapies focused on the emerging novel oncology target Claudin 6 (CLDN6). 

Aug. 7, 2023

FDA approves Sage, Biogen drug for postpartum depression, but rejects wider use

The agency turned back the companies' attempt to also win clearance for major depressive disorder, limiting its market potential.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 4, 2023

Regeneron gets ‘clarity’ in plan to defend top-selling eye drug, but is set back elsewhere

The surprise rejection of a high-dose form of Eylea could be resolved earlier than anticipated. But some of the company’s pipeline projects have stumbled.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 4, 2023

Agios turns to Alnylam for help with rare disease push

The biotech is acquiring rights to an RNA interference medicine Alnylam invented for a rare blood disorder, continuing a corporate makeover that began in 2020. 

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 3, 2023

Gilead-backed cell therapy startup Kyverna adds fresh funds for new strategy

A treatment licensed from the NIH and in clinical testing for lupus is the startup’s lead program, while its founding “Treg” cell therapy research matures, according to CEO Peter Maag.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 3, 2023

Karyopharm cuts staff amid push to broaden use of blood cancer drug

The biotech, which has struggled to grow sales of its medicine Xpovio, is laying off 20% of its staff and focusing on late-stage studies in endometrial cancer and myelofibrosis.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 2, 2023

Steve Jobs’ son raises $200M for cancer-focused venture fund

Yosemite is one of a new class of biotech venture funds that also includes the recently launched Dimension and Cure Ventures.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 2, 2023

A once buzzy gene therapy startup lays off staff and shuts down

Intergalactic, a developer of non-viral gene therapies built by ex-Biogen executive Michael Ehlers, is folding less than two years after its launch. 

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 2, 2023

TG shares tumble following licensing deal for MS drug

Some on Wall Street believe the New York-based biotechnology company is now less likely to get acquired after agreeing to sell partial rights to its only marketed product.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 1, 2023

BridgeBio explores path forward for muscular disease drug

According to the company, FDA officials have signaled openness to using a surrogate endpoint for assessing accelerated approval of a treatment for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 31, 2023

Apellis faces safety doubts for fast-selling eye drug

At a medical meeting, the company confirmed seven cases of a rare, but severe, side effect have been reported following treatment with its geographic atrophy drug Syfovre.

By Ben Fidler • Updated July 31, 2023

Early-stage biotech funding on pace to drop 40% in 2023, HSBC report shows

Investment in drugmaking “platforms” is declining as venture firms turn to safer bets, according to a study from the new startup-focused division of HSBC.

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 28, 2023

Biogen to acquire rare disease drugmaker Reata for $7.3B

The deal is a major bet by Biogen and its new CEO Chris Viehbacher, who’s reorganized R&D, cut costs and laid off staff since becoming company head last year.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated July 28, 2023

Gene editing biotech Homology hits reset and seeks a sale

The company will lay off 87% of its workforce and halt further research, including for a gene editing therapy to treat the rare disease PKU.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 28, 2023

European VC Medicxi raises $400M for ‘asset-centric’ biotech investing

Several biotech investors have announced new investment funds in 2023 despite a turbulent market that's challenged startups.

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 27, 2023

FDA declines to review Biohaven’s latest drug in setback to pipeline

While the FDA doesn’t think the brain disease treatment merits an evaluation, Biohaven is still pushing for one and has requested a further meeting.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 27, 2023

Kincell spins out of cell therapy biotech, joining wave of manufacturing startups

The company is the latest to emerge with plans to make production of cell-based medicines easier for researchers and biotechs.

By Ben Fidler • July 26, 2023