Replay reveals second gene therapy spinout, debuting new biotech Telaria

Telaria is the second spinout in Replay’s “hub-and-spoke” model, and will focus on developing a gene therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 21, 2022

Cancer drugmaker Plexxikon gets new life as Opna Bio

Eight months after Daiichi Sankyo shuttered the San Francisco Bay Area subsidiary, Plexxikon’s former CEO is resuscitating its drug research under a new name.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 21, 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 or in reprogramming cells inside the body.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Former Rubius CEO to lead buzzy Flagship startup

Pablo Cagnoni was appointed CEO at the RNA drug startup Laronde days after departing Rubius, a once high-flying biotech that’s now laid off nearly all its employees and is seeking a sale. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 17, 2022

Regeneron teams up with CytomX to develop dual-targeting cancer drugs

Regeneron will pay CytomX $30 million to try to create bispecific antibody drugs that are safer and have a wider reach than existing treatments.  

By Christopher Newman • Nov. 17, 2022

Biotechs reveal layoffs, research revamps in third quarter earnings

Tricida, Harpoon, Freeline and three other small drug developers last week announced plans to cut staff or to reprioritize their drug development.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 16, 2022

Freeline cuts back as it continues search for gene therapy partner

The U.K. biotech will sell its German unit and lay off staff to save cash as it focuses on therapies for Gaucher and Fabry diseases.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 16, 2022

Jnana deepens ties with Roche and grabs a new round of funding

The startup, developing drugs that target an untapped class of proteins called solute carriers, has now formed two lucrative alliances with the Swiss drugmaker since 2020.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 15, 2022

After $250M Roche buyout, a startup plans a second strike with fresh funding

Backed by the same investors and team as an immunotherapy biotech Roche bought in September, Bonum Therapeutics plans to develop “conditionally” active cancer medicines.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 15, 2022

Acrivon cuts IPO price to raise $99M for plan to revive old Lilly cancer drug

Acrivon is the 20th biotech company to go public this year, roughly a fifth of last year’s total at this time, and had to sell more shares at a lower price to complete the deal. 

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 15, 2022

Eli Lilly’s Julie Gilmore on finding up-and-coming companies and backing small biotechs

Only a small fraction of the companies Lilly evaluates get into its incubator, according to Gilmore. Here’s how the big pharma selects them.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 15, 2022

Moderna data supports use of omicron booster over original vaccine

New results show the two-pronged booster the FDA cleared in August sparks a stronger immune response against omicron and its subvariants than Moderna’s original shot.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 14, 2022

Driving buses helped one biomedical science professional discover his passion — and Regis University

Hunter Allen realized he loved the responsibility of caring for others. At Regis, he learned how to hone his passion and create healthy communities.

Nov. 14, 2022

FDA declines to review Brainstorm’s ALS therapy

It’s the latest setback for Brainstorm’s NurOwn, an engineered cell therapy that has been on a winding journey since failing a key study in ALS patients two years ago.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 11, 2022

Seagen picks Novartis, Flagship veteran Epstein as new CEO

The hiring of David Epstein, who spent the last five years building startups at Flagship, suggested to some investors that a long-rumored acquisition by Merck may not be forthcoming.

By Ben Fidler • Nov. 10, 2022

Clovis warns of bankruptcy, lays off staff after up-and-down journey

The warning, unusual for a company with a marketed drug, comes as the biotech is negotiating with creditors after skipping an interest payment.

By Kristin Jensen • Updated Dec. 12, 2022

Third Rock-backed Faze Medicines shutters two years after launch

The biomolecular condensates-focused company is calling it quits after “the science did not progress sufficiently to meet our bar for further investment,” a spokesperson said.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 10, 2022

Biogen names former Sanofi head Viehbacher to replace Vounatsos as CEO

Viehbacher’s appointment ends a monthslong search by Biogen for new leadership and puts the embattled biotech on a new course after the disastrous launch of Aduhelm.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler • Updated Nov. 10, 2022

Arrowhead capitalizes on Amgen drug progress with royalty rights deal

The biotech will sell its royalty interest in a heart disease drug Amgen is developing for $250 million, extending its operating runway by several quarters.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 9, 2022

BioMarin signals lengthier FDA review for hemophilia gene therapy

The agency wants to see forthcoming study results for the biotech's treatment, which could potentially push out an approval decision by three months.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 8, 2022

Apellis defends change in regulatory plans for closely watched eye drug

Shares have fallen more than 20% since Apellis chose to add new data to its U.S. submission, delaying the drug’s review in geographic atrophy. But on a conference call, executives argued the benefits are worth the cost.

By Ben Fidler • Nov. 8, 2022

Amgen to test new way to lower heart risk with large drug trial

Buoyed by strong mid-stage study results, the biotech will soon start a cardiovascular outcomes trial of a drug designed to target a genetic risk factor called lipoprotein(a).

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 7, 2022

Cell line characterization and selection made easy

Build confidence and efficiency into your research with traceable and reliable cell line 'omics data.

Nov. 7, 2022

Galapagos to cut 200 jobs amid research revamp

The workforce reduction is part of a “new strategic direction” for Galapagos, which intends to stop developing drugs for fibrosis and kidney disease.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 4, 2022

Artiva cancels IPO plans and cuts a deal with Affimed

With public offerings difficult to pull off, Artiva is focusing its energy on developing a cancer drug with the German biotech.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Nov. 3, 2022

Building a biotech in a downturn: 3 lessons from VCs and startup CEOs

In a panel discussion hosted by BioPharma Dive, venture capitalists and CEOs discuss how startups can navigate a challenging market as well as possible ripple effects from the new U.S. drug pricing law.

By Gwendolyn Wu , Christopher Newman • Nov. 3, 2022