Merck backs radiopharmaceutical startup Aktis, joining other high-profile backers

The pharma contributed to an $84 million round for the new cancer drugmaker, which attracted Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb in an earlier fundraise. 

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 25, 2022

Backed by $40M, a biotech startup targets cancer with help from the immune system

After several years in stealth, 3T Biosciences is launching publicly with plans to develop newer types of T cell receptor-based treatments.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 25, 2022

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

‘Treg’ startup Sonoma expands with plans for manufacturing plant

The biotech, launched by immunologist Jeffrey Bluestone, is developing regulatory T cell therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 24, 2022

Biotech Erasca taps MD Anderson to help advance cancer drug work

The five-year partnership is one of many inked between the cancer center and drugmakers like Erasca, which is targeting a cellular pathway linked to many types of tumors.

By Christopher Newman • Aug. 23, 2022

Next-generation RNA technologies: making longer-lasting drugs with a broader reach

At least nine biotechnology startups are trying to use RNA molecules in new ways to make medicines. Here’s a look at where they stand.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Aug. 24, 2022

Take the legwork out of drug toxicity screening

Leveraging adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) just got easier. Learn how to be a pro.

Aug. 22, 2022

Axsome rebounds to win FDA approval of depression drug

A year after finding flaws in the biotech’s application, the regulator cleared a treatment some analysts view as a blockbuster-to-be, sending shares up.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 19, 2022

Bluejay raises $41M to bring hepatitis B drugs to clinical testing

The biotech startup, which licensed two programs from Novartis, is part of a crowded field of drugmakers trying to develop new hepatitis B treatments. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 19, 2022

Schrödinger names longtime biotech analyst Porges its CFO and top dealmaker

After two decades researching biotechs at SVB Securities and AllianceBernstein, Geoffrey Porges will seek to grow the drug discovery specialist's network of partnerships.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 18, 2022

Moderna, after firing newly hired CFO, finds replacement in PerkinElmer executive

The COVID-19 vaccine maker has appointed James Mock, currently PerkinElmer’s CFO, as its next finance head, three months after ousting Jorge Gomez from the role. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 17, 2022

Gilead, with new results, doubles down on breast cancer drug

The company has agreed to spend at least $280 million buying back rights to the drug, called Trodelvy, which were sold to Everest Medicines in 2019.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 16, 2022

Ventyx touts early data for potential rival to Bristol Myers psoriasis drug

The biotech plans to start Phase 2 studies for a drug it believes may more effectively hit its target than Bristol Myers’ deucravacitinib, a skin disease treatment regulators could approve next month. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 16, 2022

Merck pays startup Orna $150M as ‘circular RNA’ attracts industry interest

The pharmaceutical giant has formed an alliance with Orna, investing $100 million in its Series B round in hopes the young biotech’s approach will lead to multiple new vaccines and drugs.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 16, 2022

Amid market turbulence, a Flagship startup pushes off an IPO with a new fundraise

Senda Biosciences decided to raise a $123 million Series C round rather than test public markets with an initial offering, its top executive said.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 16, 2022

‘Treg’ cell therapy: bringing CAR-T to autoimmune disease

At least seven companies, including five richly funded startups, are developing cell-based treatments for inflammatory conditions, making it one of biotech’s most competitive fields. 

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 16, 2022

Despite failed trial, Brainstorm asks FDA to approve ALS drug

The move comes less than a month after the agency agreed to review Biogen’s tofersen — another ALS drug with a questionable record in clinical testing.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Aug. 18, 2022

UK approves Moderna’s two-pronged COVID-19 booster

Britain’s drug regulator is the first public health authority to clear a vaccine designed to fight omicron as well as the original strain of the virus. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Aug. 15, 2022

Seagen loses arbitration case to Daiichi Sankyo over cancer drug technology

An arbitrator ruled against Seagen in a dispute over technology used in Enhertu and other Daiichi Sankyo drugs, stopping an attempt by Seagen to collect lucrative royalties.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 12, 2022

Shifting focus, ProQR to seek partners for stalled eye drugs

The company will wind down five trials involving two drug candidates and lay off more staff, prioritizing instead its RNA-editing technology.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 11, 2022

A biotech startup gives Merck its next shot at treating Alzheimer’s

Boston-based Cerevance is searching for new drug targets for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, although CEO Craig Thompson wouldn’t reveal what its work with Merck will take aim at.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Aug. 9, 2022

Samantha Truex on biotech hiring, competing for funding and Upstream’s next steps

The CEO recently led Upstream through a $200 million financing that will support development of an inflammatory disease drug. “We have what investors probably want at this time,” she told BioPharma Dive.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 9, 2022

Karuna shares soar on schizophrenia drug results

The company plans to ask regulators to approve its KarXT therapy based on the results, which one analyst called “as good as one could hope for.”

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 8, 2022

Acadia turned back by FDA on second attempt to get psychosis drug approved

The agency issued Acadia a complete response letter for pimavanserin, for which the company had sought to win an expanded clearance in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 5, 2022

ElevateBio, Boston Children’s launch startup to test new approach to ‘off-the-shelf’ cell therapy

Spun out of a Boston Children’s research lab, the biotech is the first to emerge from a partnership ElevateBio and the hospital struck to create new cell and gene therapy companies.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 4, 2022

Gilead, following cell therapy approval, impresses Wall Street with fast sales

Together, the biotech’s two CAR-T therapies earned $368 million between April and June, a substantial jump over last year and above what analysts forecast.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 3, 2022