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

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

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

Infinity to lay off staff, offload cancer drug after merger falls apart

The cost cuts at the nearly 30-year-old biotech are part of plans to seek a “strategic transaction” for the company’s only remaining drug prospect.

By Ben Fidler • July 26, 2023

Nexo allies with MD Anderson in pursuit of covalent cancer drugs

The startup raised $60 million, joining other covalent drug developers like Matchpoint, Terremoto and Enlaza in drawing investor interest.

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 26, 2023

Biogen to eliminate 1,000 jobs in further cost cuts

CEO Chris Viehbacher described the restructuring, which will trim $1 billion in operating expenses, as a “complete redesign of Biogen.”

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated July 25, 2023

FibroGen CEO resigns amid latest round of layoffs

The biotech’s leader Enrique Conterno is stepping down for personal reasons after a string of clinical setbacks that led to a restructuring. Eli Lilly veteran Thane Wettig will replace him in the interim.

By Delilah Alvarado • July 25, 2023

Editas names Biogen veteran as top scientist in latest executive change

Linda Burkly’s appointment follows the exit of CSO Mark Shearman, whose departure Editas announced alongside layoffs earlier this year.

By Gwendolyn Wu • July 24, 2023

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

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