Gene Therapy: Page 17


  • 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
  • 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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    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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    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
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    Rebounding from setbacks, Sanofi reveals promising data for hemophilia drug

    Fitusiran, which Sanofi licensed from Alnylam, could finally get to market after trial delays and safety concerns slowed its progress. But gene therapies and other new medicines might provide competition.

    By Dec. 14, 2021
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    Fresh data show UniQure's hemophilia gene therapy appears to hold up

    The amount of blood clotting protein found in patients who received the medicine was nearly the same at six months and 18 months post-treatment, according to results disclosed Thursday.

    By Dec. 9, 2021
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    Getty / Edited by BioPharma Dive
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    A high-profile gene therapy biotech takes aim at Huntington's

    Passage Bio and the University of Pennsylvania's Gene Therapy Program said they have begun preclinical research aimed at simultaneously developing multiple approaches to treating Huntington's.

    By Dec. 8, 2021
  • A photo of Sekar Kathiresan, CEO of Verve Therapeutics
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    Seth Babin/BioPharma Dive
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    Deep Dive // Gene editing

    Heart attacks struck Sek Kathiresan’s family. He’s devoted his life to stopping them.

    After several family members had early heart attacks, Kathiresan vowed to understand why they happen. His research journey has changed medical practice and led to a new biotech startup, Verve Therapeutics, that seeks to prevent them.

    By Nov. 29, 2021
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    Bluebird, after delays, gets speedy FDA review for beta thalassemia gene therapy

    The regulator will decide whether to approve Bluebird's treatment by next May, but its evaluation is beginning more than a year later than the biotech hoped.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 22, 2021
  • Dr. Jason Comander performs the first Luxturna surgery post-FDA approval on March 20, 2018 at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.
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    Permission granted by Ed Shipman for Mass Eye and Ear
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    Deep Dive // Gene therapy safety

    Years later, a first-of-its-kind treatment shows the power, and limits, of gene therapy

    Luxturna, approved four years ago as the first gene therapy for an inherited disease in the U.S., is improving sight and quality of life for several of the patients who received it.

    By Shoshana Dubnow • Nov. 15, 2021
  • A photo of Sanofi headquarters in Paris, France.
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    Courtesy of Sanofi
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    Eye-focused gene therapy startup gets $60M cash infusion from Sanofi

    Shortly after postponing a $135 million IPO, Gyroscope has found another way to back a treatment for a disease that's become a top target of multiple drugmakers.  

    By Nov. 8, 2021
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    Beam gets green light to begin first clinical test of base editing

    Alongside the milestone, the gene editing biotech also announced John Maraganore, who will soon step down as Alnylam's CEO, will join its board.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 8, 2021
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    Kena Betancur via Getty Images
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    Blackstone continues biotech push with up to $250M cell therapy investment

    The investment in CAR-T maker Autolus Therapeutics adds to a string of biotech deals the private equity firm has made since 2018.

    By Nov. 8, 2021
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    Jeenah Moon via Getty Images
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    Pfizer gene therapy research delayed by trial changes, safety questions

    Data readouts for Pfizer's hemophilia gene therapies are now expected later than previously forecast, while the company also works through modifying a trial of its Duchenne treatment.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 3, 2021
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    FDA extends review of J&J, Legend's cell therapy for multiple myeloma

    The three-month delay could give an advantage to Bristol Myers Squibb, which holds the first approval for a CAR-T therapy for the blood cancer.

    By , Nov. 2, 2021
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    Moderna, teaming with a startup, wades further into gene editing

    The biotech has identified gene editing as a natural fit for the technology it uses to deliver its vaccines and drugs. A deal with Metagenomi, a startup backed by Bayer, will further those ambitions.

    By Nov. 2, 2021
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    Lydia Polimeni, National Institutes of Health
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    NIH, FDA spearhead broad partnership to speed gene therapy research

    The two institutions will work with drugmakers and nonprofit groups on a wide-ranging initiative meant to make the complex treatments easier and less costly to produce. 

    By Kristin Jensen • Oct. 28, 2021
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Vertex aligns with another CRISPR gene editing startup

    A new alliance with Mammoth Biosciences marks the latest evidence of Vertex's interest in gene editing, which has already been the focus of multiple deals with emerging biotechs. 

    By Oct. 26, 2021
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    Getty / Edited by BioPharma Dive
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    Bluebird, winding down in Europe, withdraws another rare disease gene therapy

    The biotech won EU approval for two gene therapies, Zynteglo and Syksona, both of which it will pull from market after difficulties negotiating reimbursement.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 21, 2021
  • Boehringer Ingelheim takes next step in development of cystic fibrosis gene therapy

    Drugs from Vertex can effectively treat the lung disease in as much as 90% of patients. Gene therapy could be a solution for the remaining 10%, but the path forward is challenging.

    By Shoshana Dubnow • Oct. 19, 2021
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    Takeda takes aim at a biotech's gene therapy work

    For an upfront payment of $45 million, Takeda gains access to as many as eight programs from Poseida Therapeutics and a potential method of delivering gene therapies without the help of viruses.

    By Oct. 12, 2021
  • An image of Intergalactic Therapeutics' non-viral, closed-loop DNA platform.
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    Permission granted by Intergalactic Therapeutics
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    Intergalactic Therapeutics launches with $75M to build a new type of gene therapy

    Founded by former Biogen executive Michael Ehlers and backed by Apple Tree Partners, Intergalactic aims to create non-viral gene therapies delivered via an advanced form of electroporation.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 7, 2021