Pfizer marks progress for successor sickle cell drug at ASH

While new gene therapies for the blood disease grabbed headlines at ASH, Pfizer presented fresh data for an oral drug meant to build on its marketed therapy Oxbryta.

By Gwendolyn Wu • Dec. 10, 2023

German Merck’s MS drug falls short in pair of Phase 3 tests

The results dim the outlook of BTK inhibitors as potential autoimmune disease treatments and could have ramifications for Roche, Sanofi and Novartis. 

By Kristin Jensen • Dec. 6, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from BioPharma Dive

A stock market run and a flurry of dealmaking have buoyed a sector that spent much of 2023 in a downturn. Can the momentum last?

By BioPharma Dive staff

Novartis gets FDA approval of closely watched rare disease drug

The pharma is developing Fabhalta, now cleared for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, for several other rare, complement-driven diseases.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 6, 2023

Pfizer, after delay, completes enrollment in Lyme vaccine trial

The announcement ends a lengthy setback that began when the company and partner Valneva accused a clinical trial site operator of study misconduct.

By Delilah Alvarado • Dec. 5, 2023

J&J pitches investors on sales growth from cancer, immune disease drugs

The company expects its pharmaceutical division to deliver 20 new medicines through the end of the decade, including several it believes could earn peak annual sales of more than $5 billion.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 5, 2023

Roche joins obesity drug chase with $2.7B deal for startup Carmot

The acquisition of Carmot, which had been planning an IPO, will hand Roche three weight loss medicines in early clinical testing.

By Ben Fidler • Dec. 4, 2023

Pfizer plans for oral obesity drug hit new setback

The company won’t continue development of a twice-daily dose of its experimental weight loss medicine danuglipron after study data showed high rates of side effects.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 1, 2023

Gilead to lay off staff at cell therapy unit Kite

The cuts will impact 7% of the cancer drug division’s employees, although about 90 new roles will be created around “areas of growth.”

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 29, 2023

Novartis sees brighter sales future as R&D revamp continues

The pharma has overhauled its pipeline this year, cutting R&D programs outside of its four main therapeutic areas.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 28, 2023

Pharma benefited from basing business overseas. An international tax effort could spur a rethink.

U.S. tax law changes six years ago slashed large pharma companies' rates and saved them billions. Now, a push for an international floor could disrupt their R&D accounting.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 28, 2023

Novo to expand French plant in GLP-1 production push

The planned $2.3 billion investment follows an earlier $6 billion commitment to expand manufacturing for drugs like its in-demand medicine Wegovy.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 27, 2023

Merck to buy private biotech Caraway in neuroscience deal

In a deal worth up to $610 million, Merck will gain a pipeline of neuroscience and rare disease programs from a startup it previously backed.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 21, 2023

Bayer ends large blood thinner trial for ‘inferior efficacy’

Company shares fell after study monitors called for halting a planned 18,000-person trial because Bayer’s drug wasn’t working as well as Eliquis.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated Nov. 20, 2023

Bristol Myers faces FDA delay on cancer cell therapy decision

The regulator plans to convene an advisory panel to discuss an expanded indication for Abecma, presenting another hurdle for Bristol Myers and partner 2seventy bio.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 20, 2023

AstraZeneca creates digital health unit, with big-name partnerships already in place

Called Evinova, the unit will operate as a separate business within AstraZeneca, which sees digital health solutions as a market primed for growth.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 20, 2023

Lilly plans new $2.5B manufacturing plant as obesity drug demand ramps up

Following the approval of Zepbound, Lilly is adding capacity to avert shortages and restricted access.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 17, 2023

Paper details Astellas gene therapy study that led to patient deaths

The company, which is working with regulators to lift a clinical hold, said the treatment could still help people with X-linked myotubular myopathy.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 16, 2023

FDA approves new Bristol Myers drug for lung cancer

Acquired via a $4 billion biotech buyout, Augtyro is one of an array of new products the pharma hopes will offset patent expirations for current top sellers.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 16, 2023

3 ways decentralized clinical trials could help advance research on rare diseases

Explore how decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) can enhance rare disease research in three key ways.

Nov. 13, 2023

Detailed trial data confirm Wegovy heart benefit

As GLP-1 drugs for weight loss take off, the results for Novo Nordisk’s treatment could help convince insurers to expand coverage.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 11, 2023

AstraZeneca stays in GLP-1 drug race with new deal

AstraZeneca is paying $185 million upfront to gain access to an experimental GLP-1 drug from China-based biotech Eccogene.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 9, 2023

Bayer’s new CEO signals business shake-up, plans to slash management

Company head Bill Anderson said Bayer may separate its consumer health or crop science business, and signaled “significant” layoffs are in the future.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 8, 2023

Moderna adjusts to changing outlook for COVID vaccine demand

The company recorded a net loss in the third quarter as it “resizes” its manufacturing footprint, and now expects revenue to come in at low end of its previous guidance.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 3, 2023

Novo, Lilly buoyed by fast-growing GLP-1 drug sales

The rival companies reported strong quarterly sales growth for their latest products, which could face off as weight loss treatments next year.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 2, 2023

Pfizer RSV vaccine gets off to fast start on market

The pharma’s shot Abrysvo made over $300 million in sales during the first few months of its launch, and will be an important product to help offset declining COVID-19 vaccine sales.

By Delilah Alvarado • Oct. 31, 2023