Lilly obesity drug shows benefit in sleep disorder study, pointing to new use

Positive data for Lilly’s medicine tirzepatide in sleep apnea are the latest signal the benefits of GLP-1 agonists could extend beyond diabetes and weight loss.

Sage’s cognition drug fails in Parkinson’s study

Following negative results, the company doesn’t plan to further test SAGE-718 in Parkinson’s. Other studies in Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s remain ongoing.

Stelara biosimilar from Alvotech, Teva approved by FDA

The companies plan to launch their copycat version of the blockbuster immune disease drug early next year, per a legal settlement with J&J.

Biotech landlord Alexandria on research clusters and the sector’s recovery

Joel Marcus, the longtime head of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, sees few near-term challengers to the established biotech hubs of Boston, San Diego and San Francisco.

Ukraine was pharma’s clinical trial ‘darling.’ As war drags on, will the industry return?

While some new drug studies are getting underway, activity is still far below bustling pre-war levels.

Canaan hires Pfizer executive, reels in $100M for biotech investing

The firm has brought in as venture partner Uwe Schoenbeck, who most recently was the top scientist for Pfizer’s emerging science and innovation unit.

J&J sees mixed performance from new multiple myeloma drugs

Tecvayli sales, which J&J broke out for the first time, surpassed Wall Street forecasts and offset underperformance from Carvykti, which J&J attributed to the "phasing and timing of orders."

Intra-Cellular builds case for depression drug with late-stage trial win

Shares of the biotech rose 25% after a large trial found adding its drug Caplyta onto antidepressant therapy significantly helped people with major depression.

Cullinan changes name, pivots to autoimmune disease

The biotech says a dual-pronged antibody it’s developing could become an “off-the-shelf” alternative to cell therapies in development for lupus and other inflammatory conditions.

Regeneron commits $500M to new venture capital fund

While corporate venture arms are commonplace among pharmaceutical companies, the new fund announced Monday is Regeneron’s first.

Neumora’s schizophrenia drug hit with clinical hold

Shares of the biotech dipped by double digits following disclosure the FDA had paused an early-stage study of Neumora’s muscarinic-targeting drug.

Roche reports survival data for new dual-acting lymphoma drug

The results could give Roche’s Columvi an edge over a rival medicine from AbbVie and Genmab, while Regeneron awaits an approval of its own therapy.

Ultragenyx says Angelman therapy is working, but safety questions remain

Treatment appeared to result in functional and cognitive gains in people with the neurological disorder. Three participants experienced lower extremity weakness, however.

Biotech IPOs bounced back in first quarter, but backlog remains

Proceeds from biotech IPOs during the first three months of 2024 matched levels seen in the first quarters of 2019 and 2020, BioPharma Dive data show.

European regulator concludes no suicide link to obesity drugs

The decision clears a concern hanging over GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic since reports of suicidal ideation and self-harm among people taking the drugs surfaced in July.

Roche, Adaptimmune part ways on cell therapy research

The two companies have ended a collaboration that was struck in 2021 and focused on “off-the-shelf” cell therapies for cancer.

US sues Regeneron, alleging false price reporting on Eylea

The lawsuit claims the drugmaker didn’t disclose reimbursement to drug distributors for credit card fees, artificially inflating the reported price of the blockbuster eye drug.

Vertex to buy kidney disease drugmaker Alpine for $4.9B

A proposed $4.9 billion buyout of Alpine Immune Sciences would be the largest ever acquisition for Vertex and align with its "toolkit of technologies" approach to dealmaking.

Updated April 11, 2024

Century buys a startup, raises funding in cell therapy expansion

The biotech is acquiring Clade Therapeutics and its stem cell technology at a discount price, while adding $60 million via a private placement led by Bain Capital.

New postpartum depression drugs are here. Diagnosis, treatment hurdles still stand in the way.

The first medicine approved for PPD, Sage’s Zulresso, never gained traction. The company is in the midst of launching its second, but long-standing challenges could slow uptake.

J&J, Rallybio partner on drug development for rare fetal condition

The biotech is working on a preventive therapy for the immune disorder, known as FNAIT for short, while J&J is studying its drug nipocalimab as a treatment.

Novartis pauses enrollment in some Kisqali trials to fix manufacturing

The company said the pause is necessary to meet regulatory limits on nitrosamine, but added it will not affect commercial supply nor regulatory review of the drug in early breast cancer.

Pfizer, with new study results, seeks to bring RSV shot to adults aged 18-59

The company plans to submit the trial data to regulators in a bid to win approval of its vaccine Abrysvo in adults as young as 18 years old.

PureTech launches Seaport, hoping to create Karuna 2.0

The startup is taking aim at anxiety with $100 million from high-profile biotech backers like ARCH, Sofinnova and Third Rock.

Private biotech funding rises as venture firms deploy cash

Twenty-six drugmakers closed fundraising rounds worth more than $100 million in the first quarter, according to HSBC data shared with BioPharma Dive.