Gene Therapy: Page 17


  • Passage Bio to cut jobs in latest biotech restructuring

    Stung by a stock market downturn, a number of biotechs are trimming spending and reprioritizing research to save cash. Passage's layoffs will reduce its workforce by 13%.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • March 15, 2022
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    Novartis
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    Novartis turns cell therapy skill into contract manufacturing deal

    In an unusual arrangement, the Swiss pharma will make Carisma Therapeutics' experimental cell therapy at its Morris Plains factory, part of its plans to build up a CMO business.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • March 10, 2022
  • Trendline

    Gene Therapy

    Rapid scientific advances have put the gene therapy field at the forefront of biomedical research. But, as recent setbacks have shown, researchers and drugmakers still face major challenges. 

    By BioPharma Dive staff
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    Getty / Edited by BioPharma Dive
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    Novartis turns to Voyager for nervous system gene therapies

    The deal, which carries a $54 million upfront payment, could give Novartis access to as many as five of Voyager's capsids, which would be used to develop gene therapies for the central nervous system.

    By March 8, 2022
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    Getty Images
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    Gene editing biotechs face new uncertainty after CRISPR patent ruling

    A federal patent board ruled Broad Institute scientists were first to a key gene editing advance, weakening the patent position of Intellia and CRISPR Therapeutics, which hold licenses through the University of California.

    By March 2, 2022
  • Intellia Therapeutics
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    Permission granted by Intellia Therapeutics
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    Intellia presses forward with new results for pioneering CRISPR drug

    The findings build on early evidence that gene editing inside the body could safely and effectively treat disease, and suggest the effects of Intellia's medicine might last. 

    By Updated Feb. 28, 2022
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    Amicus Therapeutics
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    Amicus' SPAC deal unravels, leading to layoffs and cost cuts

    The biotech is calling off plans to spin out its gene therapy business via a merger with a blank check company, citing unfavorable market conditions and a "challenging environment."

    By Kristin Jensen • Feb. 24, 2022
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    Allogene, slipping in 'off-the-shelf' CAR-T race, prepares for key trials

    Allogene, once the clear leader in development of a more convenient option to personalized cancer cell therapies, now is competing with CRISPR Therapeutics and other fast-emerging rivals.

    By Feb. 24, 2022
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    Permission granted by Spark Therapeutics
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    Spark CEO Marrazzo, who led company to historic gene therapy approval, to step down

    Jeffrey Marrazzo has led Spark since its founding in 2013, through the historic FDA approval of Luxturna and the company's $4.3 billion buyout by Roche.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 23, 2022
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    BioMarin says gene therapy hold will endure as FDA questions cancer risk

    According to BioMarin, the regulator has requested additional data to assess the "theoretical" cancer risk to the treatment, information that will take several quarters to collect. 

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 18, 2022
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    National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2016). "Human natural killer cell" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Intellia follows CRISPR peers with deal to explore 'natural killer' cell therapy

    By partnering with ONK Therapeutics, Intellia joins CRISPR Therapeutics and Editas Medicine in striking deals that marry gene editing with a fast-emerging form of cancer immunotherapy.

    By Feb. 15, 2022
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    Sponsored by First Republic Bank

    Private equity powers digital healthcare revolution

    Read how private equity investment helps scale the push towards healthcare digitization.  

    By First Republic Bank • Feb. 7, 2022
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    Getty / Edited by BioPharma Dive
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    In England, Orchard secures rare agreement on gene therapy coverage

    Gene therapy developers have struggled to secure reimbursement in Europe, making Orchard's deal with the National Health Service in England and Wales a notable accomplishment.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 4, 2022
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    Courtesy of Sarepta
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    Sarepta reveals gene editing alliance with biotech exploring alternative delivery methods

    The collaboration with GenEdit, a South San Francisco startup developing new ways of delivering gene editing tools into the body, dates back to December 2020, but has recently begun to advance.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 1, 2022
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    Bluebird faces longer wait for FDA verdict on experimental gene therapies

    The FDA has extended by three months its review of Bluebird's treatments for beta thalassemia and a rare brain disorder, the latest delay in the company's lengthy road to market in the U.S.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 18, 2022
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    Danielle Ternes/BioPharma Dive
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    5 questions facing gene therapy in 2022

    As record levels of money pour into gene therapy research, biotechs are under increased pressure to address issues related to safety, delivery and overlapping pipelines. 

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 13, 2022
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    Courtesy of Sarepta
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    Sarepta, with new Duchenne results, to broach 'possibility' of speedy gene therapy approval

    The biotech will take new Phase 2 data to U.S. regulators, CEO Doug Ingram said Monday, though it still expects to need data from an ongoing late-stage trial to win approval. 

    By Jan. 10, 2022
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    Allogene cleared by FDA to resume 'off the shelf' cancer cell therapy trials

    A "chromosomal abnormality" that led regulators to halt Allogene's trials was judged to be unrelated to its technology, a finding with important implications for the field of donor-derived cell therapies.

    By Jan. 10, 2022
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    BioMarin plans return to FDA with updated data on hemophilia gene therapy

    Two-year results from a Phase 3 study of Roctavian show treatment prevented bleeding, potentially giving BioMarin the data it needs to resubmit an application for approval. 

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Jan. 10, 2022
  • A general view of the Pfizer Headquarters sign on November 10, 2020 in Tadworth, England.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Pfizer expands into gene editing with Beam research deal

    Pfizer's work with mRNA vaccines led it to explore other applications of the technology, resulting in a multiyear partnership with the high-profile biotech Beam Therapeutics on gene editing treatments for rare diseases.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 10, 2022
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    Sanofi cuts ties with Sangamo, sharpening focus on 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy

    The French pharma cited a "change in strategic direction" for ending a long-running pact focused on genetic medicines for blood diseases, led by a sickle cell treatment in early testing.

    By Jan. 6, 2022
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    Novartis
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    Novartis ups investment in gene therapy for the eye with $800M buyout

    The deal for Gyroscope Therapeutics, worth up to $1.5 billion, gives the Swiss pharma access to a treatment for a type of age-related blindness as well as new means of delivering drugs into the eye.

    By Dec. 22, 2021
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    Duchenne patient dies in Pfizer gene therapy study

    The tragic news follows changes Pfizer recently made to the design of another study testing the therapy due to side effects seen in some participants. 

    By Dec. 21, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    Bluebird hit with another hold for sickle cell gene therapy

    Study enrollment and treatment of sickle cell patients under 18 will be paused for safety reasons, another hurdle in a series of setbacks for the company.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 20, 2021
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    Spark Therapeutics
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    Spark expands in Philadelphia, with new facility meant to be Roche's gene therapy hub

    The Luxturna developer, now owned by Roche, will invest $575 million to build a huge research and development center on Drexel University's campus.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 17, 2021
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    Jeenah Moon via Getty Images
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    Pfizer opens gene therapy plant in $800M North Carolina expansion

    The new facility cost nearly $70 million to build, and is part of a major push by the pharma giant to become a leader in genetic medicine manufacturing.

    By Kristin Jensen • Dec. 16, 2021