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Today’s Big News

Jan 17, 2025

Novo Nordisk touts 'superior' weight loss results in study of high-dose Wegovy

‘Own JP Morgan, don't let JP Morgan own you’: Biopharma—and Jill Biden—show up for JPM25

Novo's semaglutide among 2nd batch of drugs selected for IRA price negotiations

FDA’s device chief calls for more authority to address supply chain shortages impacting pediatric, neonatal patients

JPM25: After taking the wheel at Acadia, CEO Catherine Owen Adams looks to steer firm toward $1B in sales

Fierce's forecasts for the next year in biopharma

WuXi AppTec sells US medical device testing business to NAMSA

Featured

Novo Nordisk touts 'superior' weight loss results in study of high-dose Wegovy

By Fraiser Kansteiner

In the phase 3b STEP UP study, an experimental 7.2-mg semaglutide dose helped patients lose more weight on average at 72 weeks compared to placebo or semaglutide 2.4 mg, which is currently the highest dose of Novo Nordisk's drug marketed under the Wegovy brand for obesity.

‘Own JP Morgan, don't let JP Morgan own you’: Biopharma—and Jill Biden—show up for JPM25

By Gabrielle Masson

This year’s JP Morgan struck a different tone than previous years—a very pleasant one, despite higher security anxieties following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in December.

Novo's semaglutide among 2nd batch of drugs selected for IRA price negotiations

By Angus Liu

The U.S. government has selected the second batch of drugs up for Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act. The list of 15 medicines includes blockbuster drugs from Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, GSK and other companies. Novo’s booming semaglutide franchise for diabetes and obesity is the standout inclusion in this year's list.

FDA’s device chief calls for more authority to address supply chain shortages impacting pediatric, neonatal patients

By Conor Hale

Shortages of appropriate devices may force clinicians to adapt with equipment for adults, adding increased risk, said CDRH Director Michelle Tarver.

JPM25: After taking the wheel at Acadia, CEO Catherine Owen Adams looks to steer firm toward $1B in sales

By Zoey Becker

Bristol Myers Squibb vet Catherine Owen Adams joined Acadia Pharmaceuticals in September on the heels of the company's new rare disease launch and its scrapped label expansion push for troubled Nuplazid.

Fierce's forecasts for the next year in biopharma

By Andrea Park,Fraiser Kansteiner,Gabrielle Masson

This week on “The Top Line,” we explore the trends that defined the industry in 2024 and predict how 2025 might shake out for biopharmas big and small.

WuXi AppTec sells US medical device testing business to NAMSA

By Conor Hale

The deal includes facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and St. Paul, Minnesota; the financial details were not disclosed.

Analysts tip Eisai, Biogen and Lilly to drive eightfold explosion in Alzheimer's market value

By Nick Paul Taylor

GlobalData analysts are predicting an Alzheimer’s disease market boom, tipping its value across major regions to increase eightfold in a decade as therapies address unmet medical need.

Notch begins 'significant' layoffs, blames tough environment for preclinical cell therapy biotechs

By James Waldron

Notch Therapeutics is making “significant” layoffs to conserve its cash while the cell therapy biotech seeks out new partners or investors.

Chutes & Ladders—Apellis COO stepping down to take first CEO job

By Darren Incorvaia,Zoey Becker

After six years at Apellis, Chief Operating Officer Adam Townsend is saying goodbye to take on his first CEO job. The veteran exec will depart on Feb. 21 to lead a private biotech company.

Arvinas’ inaugural commercial chief steps down, to be replaced in the interim by market access VP

By Andrea Park

About two and a half years after originating the role of chief commercial officer at Arvinas, John Northcott is leaving his post at the biotech.

Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Fierce's forecasts for the next year in biopharma

This week on “The Top Line,” we explore the trends that defined the industry in 2024 and predict how 2025 might shake out for biopharmas big and small.

How hospitals can avoid common price transparency compliance pitfalls 

Breaking down the 55 new drug approvals of 2024

Resources

Whitepaper

Communicating the Value of Biopharma Assets to Potential Investors

How can an emerging company attract the right partner for a therapeutic asset (& optimize its value in a transaction)? This paper offers some insights.

Presented by: Blue Matter, strategic consultants in the life sciences