EQRx resets strategy, abandoning plans to disrupt drug pricing

Launched in 2020 with a "radical" vision, EQRx ran into roadblocks that stymied its efforts to develop new medicines and undercut competitors on price.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 8, 2023

Recursion to acquire two Canadian drug discovery startups

The company agreed to buy Cyclica and Valence after winnowing down a list of more than 100 potential takeover targets, its CEO told BioPharma Dive. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • May 8, 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

Former Rubius, Laronde CEO Cagnoni to join Incyte

Six months after being named head of RNA-focused biotech Laronde, Pablo Cagnoni has left the buzzy startup to run Incyte’s R&D work.

By Delilah Alvarado • May 8, 2023

Amplifying lupus disease activity with real-world data and machine learning

Although there is currently no cure, there is great promise in the fight against lupus. Real-world data and artificial intelligence are both critical to the future of clinical research.

By Jessica Probst, MPH, Senior Specialist, Real World Evidence, OM1 • May 8, 2023

FibroGen’s anemia pill falls short in blood cancer study

The medicine, available in Europe but rejected two years ago by U.S. regulators, didn’t eliminate the need for blood transfusions among patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 5, 2023

Convergent raises $90M to develop its radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer

The biotech is the latest startup to capitalize on rising investor interest in targeted drugs that use radioisotopes to destroy tumors. 

By Delilah Alvarado • May 5, 2023

Apellis reports strong start for new vision loss drug

Higher-than-expected sales of the geographic atrophy therapy Syfovre pushed shares in Apellis higher, and could add to speculation about a takeover.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 5, 2023

Acelyrin follows Kenvue with largest IPO for a biotech startup since 2021

The $540 million offering adds to evidence suggesting young drugmakers may need to be well into clinical testing before going public in the current market. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • Updated May 8, 2023

Lilly’s new Alzheimer’s data may both help and hinder rival Biogen

The success of Lilly’s donanemab in slowing Alzheimer’s progression should reinforce the potential of Leqembi — a similar, recently approved medicine from Eisai and Biogen — but may also make for stiff competition.

By Jacob Bell • May 3, 2023

Magenta agrees to reverse merger with Dianthus after setbacks

The deal comes months after Magenta reported a clinical trial setback, began a strategic review of its business and laid off most of its workforce.

By Christopher Newman • May 3, 2023

Cerevel hires former Translate Bio head Renaud as new CEO

Ron Renaud, who previously ran and sold two other biotechnology companies, will step in for Tony Coles to lead Cerevel, a Pfizer spinout developing a closely watched schizophrenia drug. 

By Kristin Jensen • May 3, 2023

Travere set back by study failure of kidney disease drug

Shares in the biotech, formerly Retrophin, sank after the company disclosed its newly approved drug sparsentan failed a study meant to expand its use.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 2, 2023

Ovid partners with Waksal startup to develop drugs for rare brain disorders

Founded by Sam Waksal, Graviton Biosciences is developing drugs that block an enzyme called ROCK2, which drew the interest of neurology-focused Ovid.

By Gwendolyn Wu • May 1, 2023

Initial launches with $75M and a new idea for targeting problematic proteins

The company was co-founded by, among others, Jamie Cate, husband of CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna, and Kevan Shokat, a chemical biologist whose previous work helped lead to KRAS-targeting cancer drugs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 1, 2023

Sanofi strikes a $150M deal for Maze’s Pompe disease drug

The cash influx extends Maze’s financial runway into 2025, giving the South San Francisco company time to advance other drug candidates into testing.

By Gwendolyn Wu • May 1, 2023

Sangamo to lay off 120 as it pares pipeline

The cell and gene therapy developer will also cut back on manufacturing and research in California as it redirects resources to three priority programs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 27, 2023

A startup taking a different approach to Alzheimer’s gets fresh funds, Lilly backing

Therini Bio is developing drugs that target fibrin, a protein involved in wound healing that the company thinks could also play a role in certain neurological and eye diseases.

By Gwendolyn Wu • April 27, 2023

Orbital raises $270 million in biotech’s largest Series A round this year

Founded by Howard Chang, John Maraganore and others, the RNA-focused startup drew investment from a large group of blue-chip venture firms.

By Gwendolyn Wu • April 26, 2023

FDA approves new ALS medicine in precedent-setting decision

Biogen’s drug failed the key study meant to show it can slow the nerve-destroying disease, but the drug’s effect on a protein of interest led the FDA to conditionally clear it for market.

By Jacob Bell • Updated April 25, 2023

Biogen’s new strategy brings more pipeline cuts, but leaves deal options open

The company has scrapped two experimental medicines, ended research into eye diseases and “refocused” its gene therapy investment. Yet, its CEO says he’s not opposed to adding new programs via acquisitions.

By Jacob Bell • April 25, 2023

Morphic shares swing on study data for drug viewed as ‘oral Entyvio’

Results from a small trial suggested Morphic's pill could be effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease, briefly lifting the company’s valuation by hundreds of millions of dollars. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated April 25, 2023

Drugmakers take sides in Amgen, Regeneron fight over antibody patents

A decision by the Supreme Court could have far-reaching effects on the lucrative market for antibody drugs, spurring responses from many of the industry’s top companies.

By Christopher Newman • April 21, 2023

Startup Abdera raises $110M to fuel radiopharmaceutical research

The company, which previously raised $32 million in Series A funding, joins a growing list of new startups working to develop targeted radiation treatments.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 20, 2023

European VCs raise fresh funds for life sciences investing

Forbion and Gilde Healthcare raised a combined $2 billion across their respective funds to invest in emerging biotech and life sciences companies.

By Kristin Jensen • April 19, 2023

Nektar lays off more staff in effort to sustain operations

The decision to cut another 80 or so employees follows a trial setback, a canceled partnership and a failed merger bid. The CFO has also stepped down.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 18, 2023