Alexion's neuro bet, Rubius' trial troubles and biotech's gene therapy milestones

On the first day of the JPM conference, Alexion mapped out ambitious plans in neuroscience, while Rubius did its best to explain delays in testing its first drug.

By Jacob Bell , Andrew Dunn • Jan. 14, 2020

With UK partnership, Novartis plots ambitious plans for new heart drug

The Swiss pharma giant will work with U.K. health officials to run a primary prevention study of inclisiran, acquired last month via a $10 billion deal for The Medicines Co.

By Andrew Dunn • Updated Jan. 14, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from BioPharma Dive

Looming patent expiries this decade and intensifying competition from China are forcing drugmakers to adapt, while new opportunities open up in oncology and in neuroscience.

By BioPharma Dive staff

AbbVie to house Allergan Botox business in separate unit

Allergan's eyecare and specialty drugs, however, will be folded into the existing AbbVie organization once its $63 billion acquisition is complete.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 8, 2020

Merck's Keytruda falls short of rivals in 1 lung cancer type

Mixed results could put Merck at a disadvantage in small cell lung cancer, a tumor type which has proved responsive to Roche's Tecentriq and AstraZeneca's Imfinzi.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 7, 2020

Merck adds to lung cancer wall with Otsuka deal

The $50 million deal with two Japanese biotechs is a small bet to match challengers in Amgen and Mirati, who are advancing agents targeting KRAS mutations.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 6, 2020

GSK's plan to take over the HIV drug market hasn't worked out

An FDA rejection and modest sales for two marketed products are challenging GSK's argument that two-drug treatments are a better way to treat HIV.

By Jacob Bell • Jan. 6, 2020

AstraZeneca and Merck's Lynparza cleared by FDA for pancreatic cancer

The pill is the second targeted treatment approved for pancreatic cancer, although its use is limited to only a small share of patients.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 30, 2019

Roche hands $1B to Sarepta in major return to gene therapy deals

The Swiss pharma acquired a muscular dystrophy treatment for markets outside the U.S. in a pact that could reach a value of $10 billion.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 23, 2019

Daiichi, AstraZeneca breast cancer drug joins bumper crop of early FDA approvals

AstraZeneca bet big on the Japanese pharma's HER2-targeting therapy, a gamble that paid off with a speedy approval for Enhertu.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated Dec. 23, 2019

AstraZeneca lupus drug shows potential, but it may not be enough for FDA

If approved, anifrolumab would compete against GlaxoSmithKline's Benlysta, the first lupus drug to reach the market in decades.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 19, 2019

GSK advances blood cancer drug to FDA, but rivals threaten

Belantamb mafodotin, a crucial drug for GSK's ambitions in oncology, could be the first anti-BCMA therapy approved. But new data show it's at risk of being outclassed.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 17, 2019

BeiGene's Brukinsa bet falls short against Imbruvica

The Chinese biotech's recently approved cancer drug wasn't able to beat out Imbruvica in a rare lymphoma, raising questions about its next regulatory filing.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 16, 2019

Novartis still hasn't solved its CAR-T manufacturing issues

Lingering difficulties in making all Kymriah product to FDA specifications has meant Novartis can't always charge for the cell therapy. New data at ASH could help the pharma's case.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 11, 2019

Under new CEO, Sanofi stops diabetes, heart research and plans $2.2B in cost cutting

"We've been slow. We haven't empowered enough," CEO Paul Hudson said Tuesday in rolling out his strategy for the French pharma.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 10, 2019

Leukemia rivals try to stay ahead as Merck, Lilly chase

Merck's surprise buyout of ArQule will heat up competition in a class of cancer drugs that includes AbbVie and J&J's Imbruvica and AstraZeneca's Calquence.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 10, 2019

As CAR-T presses ahead in multiple myeloma, alternative approaches gain supporters

Three different ways of attacking the blood disease are emerging, raising hopes for life-extending drugs for the sickest patients.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 9, 2019

Sanofi buys Synthorx for $2.5B in prelude to Hudson's strategy rollout

At a hefty 172% premium for a company with little clinical data, the ambitious buyout comes a day before new CEO Paul Hudson will unveil his plans for the French pharma.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 9, 2019

Pharma of the Year: AstraZeneca

The rise of a new cancer drug portfolio, coupled with booming sales in China, have put AstraZeneca ahead of its pharma peers in 2019.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 9, 2019

Deal of the Year: Bristol-Myers Squibb buys Celgene

Whether or not the $74 billion acquisition succeeds for Bristol-Myers, its impact on biotech will be wide-reaching by erasing Celgene, one of the industry's most active dealmakers.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 9, 2019

The BioPharma Dive Awards for 2019

A busy year brought an upswing in a storied pharma's fortunes, an industry-shaking mega-merger and the surprise revival of an Alzheimer's drug. 

Dec. 9, 2019

Myeloma cell therapies, now in pharma hands, move into spotlight

Long-awaited results from Bristol-Myers and Bluebird position the drugmakers to win a first-in-class CAR-T approval. Rival J&J, however, appears close behind. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 7, 2019

Novartis highlights 4 drugs of future in laying out R&D vision

With more than 160 drugs in clinical testing, Novartis executives highlighted a few lesser-known therapies they will prioritize in the next few years.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 5, 2019

Lilly puts its cancer future in Loxo's hands

Nearly a year on from buying Loxo for $8 billion, Lilly hopes to recast its cancer research more in the mold of the nimbler biotech.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 5, 2019

New approval for Roche's Tecentriq heats up lung cancer battle with Keytruda

One Wall Street analyst expects the FDA's OK will help Tecentriq outpace Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo in 2020 in the non-small cell lung cancer market.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 4, 2019

Will sky-high drug prices spur the US to use an obscure power over patents?

New cell therapies as well as gene-based treatments like Zolgensma benefited from NIH funding of early-stage research. Advocates say the time is now for the government to invoke its "march-in" rights. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 4, 2019