Reed bounces from Sanofi to J&J

Today's Big News

Feb 14, 2023

GSK nixes next-gen COVID-19 antibody collaboration, leaving Vir to fly solo, seek new partners


New biotech VC takes off with $520M and a flight deck stacked with big-name investors ready to serve


UPDATED: Reed relinquishes R&D reins at Sanofi for J&J role


Pharnext ditches Alzheimer’s plans, saying more development would be too costly


Sesen sweetens Carisma deal to win over rogue investors in time for Valentine's Day


Soligenix's stock sinks 38% after FDA refuses to consider lymphoma therapy application


Cullinan sets sail toward US with novel bispecific from Harbour BioMed for $25M in cash


Peanut allergy drug staves off anaphylaxis for 2 weeks with a single dose


Broad ALS targets show signs of success in treating genetic and sporadic forms

 

Featured

GSK nixes next-gen COVID-19 antibody collaboration, leaving Vir to fly solo, seek new partners

GSK is trimming its ties to Vir Biotechnology, walking away from COVID-19 antibody and vaccine research projects while continuing to collaborate on two pandemic assets and programs against other respiratory diseases.
 

Top Stories

New biotech VC takes off with $520M and a flight deck stacked with big-name investors ready to serve

Several biotech entrepreneurs have launched a new venture capital vehicle dubbed Curie.bio that will serve not only as a seed investor, but as a drug discovery co-pilot for founders.

UPDATED: Reed relinquishes R&D reins at Sanofi for J&J role

Sanofi's head of global R&D John Reed, M.D., Ph.D., has departed for a spot at Johnson & Johnson, where he'll serve as executive vice president of pharmaceutical R&D.

Pharnext ditches Alzheimer’s plans, saying more development would be too costly

Pharnext is moving on from developing an Alzheimer's treatment, saying further development would cost too much. The move underscores how much cash runway is being emphasized at a time of tighter fundraising.

Sesen sweetens Carisma deal to win over rogue investors in time for Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Sesen Bio has made up with a group of investors who had alleged they were offered a “bribe” to support a merger with cell therapy biotech Carisma Therapeutics, clearing the way for the transaction to proceed.

Soligenix's stock sinks 38% after FDA refuses to consider lymphoma therapy application

Despite phase 3 data last year that demonstrated the effectiveness of Soligenix’s cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment, the FDA has halted the biotech's  approval plan in its tracks. The agency has sent a refuse-to-file letter, leaving the company scrambling to decide on a path to market and its stock sinking.

Cullinan sets sail toward US with novel bispecific from Harbour BioMed for $25M in cash

Cullinan is adding a new bispecific to its rapidly growing clinical-stage bispecific, plucking U.S. rights to the med from Harbour BioMed. The treatment is in a phase 1 trial of advanced solid tumors.

Peanut allergy drug staves off anaphylaxis for 2 weeks with a single dose

Scientists have developed a drug called a covalent heterobivalent inhibitor that's capable of preventing peanut-specific anaphylaxis in mouse models. The drug held off anaphylaxis for at least two weeks in the mice after a single dose, without any obvious signs of toxicity.

Broad ALS targets show signs of success in treating genetic and sporadic forms 

A pair of new studies identified and validated two potential drug targets in animal models of both genetic and sporadic ALS, paving the way for broad treatments.

Pfizer CEO's texts with European Commission chief trigger new NYT lawsuit

Twenty-two months after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen admitted to The New York Times that she negotiated a COVID-19 vaccine deal with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Ph.D., through text messages, the newspaper is suing the commission over its refusal to make the texts public. While the lawsuit was filed on Jan. 25 and listed on the European Court of Justice’s public website on Monday, none of the documents related to the case are available to the public. Two people familiar with the suit confirmed it to Politico.

Vicarious Surgical lays off 14% of workers to get its VR-powered robotics ‘out the door fast’

The layoffs will affect 14% of Vicarious’ workforce, CFO William Kelly told investors this week. With 165 employees listed in its most recent annual report, that means around 23 roles could be eliminated.

Merck, Glenmark headed to trial after judge scraps early dismissal bid in Zetia antitrust case

A federal judge scrapped Merck and Glenmark’s bid for summary judgment in a five-year-old lawsuit that claims the drugmakers leveraged a 2010 settlement to stifle generics of Merck’s former cholesterol blockbuster Zetia.

Astellas turns up the heat with Super Bowl spot

The wings and Rihanna’s halftime show weren’t the only things that were hot during the Super Bowl. Astellas showcased its “Heat on the Street” disease state awareness campaign for vasomotor symptoms, more commonly known as “hot flashes and night sweats,” during the Big Game.

Providers want more from CMS on prior authorization reform after proposed changes

Provider groups say CMS needs to go further to reform prior authorization, pressing for the agency to adopt standards for gold carding and to eliminate step therapy.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': 2022's top M&A deals and 2023's potential

This week on "The Top Line," we discuss which companies made the list of the top 10 pharma M&A deals of 2022 and what was at stake last year. We also talk about what last year's biggest deal means for M&A activity this year.

 

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What makes nucleotides suitable for current good manufacturing practices?

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Step-wise strategy to address process characterization and late phase development

Learn more on Catalent’s step-wise approach for the definition and execution of Process Characterization for the production of a monoclonal antibody for late phase process characterization and development.

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As sponsors increasingly look to CROs to support their clinical studies, making and addressing certain clinical supply considerations at the outset of the relationship can reduce the risk of potentially unforeseen impact to budget and time later. Discover key issues sponsors should consider to help their CRO or partner of choice better understand their clinical supply needs.

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For sponsors, cost is a key concern when it comes to managing the supply of their clinical trials. A financial project analyst (FPA) is a specialized expert who can help control clinical supply costs and keep the project within budget. Explore the critical role that a Financial Project Analyst plays in clinical trial supply and budget management.
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Clinical Supply Solutions for the Asia-Pacific Region

Learn how Catalent’s extensive network across APAC can meet a wide range of clinical supply needs for sponsors conducting trials within the region.
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Designing an Optimal APAC Clinical Supply Chain

Discover key considerations that every trial sponsor should know when navigating the complex clinical supply distribution landscape across Asia-Pacific.
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Roles and Responsibilities of Specialized Clinical Supply Experts

How can specialized expertise help you optimize your clinical supply chain? Learn about the roles and responsibilities of unique experts such as clinical supply management, project management, and financial project analysis.
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A Strategy to Standardize Process Characterization & Late Phase Development

Learn more on an approach for process characterization for the production of a monoclonal antibody, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process by targeting the right design and number of experiments.

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Supply Services to Support Clinical Trials in Japan & Beyond

Explore Catalent’s newest clinical supply facility in Japan, including the comprehensive services & solutions it offers to help support trials both in-country & around the world.
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Questions You Need to Ask Your CRO About Clinical Supply

Planning on using a CRO to support your next clinical study? This infographic outlines critical areas to address at the start of the relationship in order to ensure that budget and timelines keep on track for the duration of the trial.
Case Study

A Strategy to Standardize Process Characterization & Late Phase Development

Learn more on an approach for process characterization for the production of a monoclonal antibody, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process by targeting the right design and number of experiments.

 

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