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Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Prime time for Five Prime as Amgen snaps up this once-moribund biotech for $1.9B and its phoenix-from-the-flames cancer asset

After seeing the biotech's shares soar 300% late last year on positive new data for its midstage gastric cancer program, Amgen has stepped in with a $1.9 billion deal to buy out long-suffering Five Prime Therapeutics.

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Top Stories

Biden still pushing for his cancer 'breakthrough' dream, but can it work?

Like so many in the world, President Joe Biden has been personally hit by a cancer death after the loss of his son Beau in 2015 to a brain tumor.

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Lilly's tirzepatide beats Novo's semaglutide in diabetes phase 3, but another study muddies picture

Another phase 3 clinical trial of Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide in Type 2 diabetics has met its primary endpoint. The dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist beat Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide against multiple measures, although recent data on another dose of the rival drug suggest Lilly has a fight on its hands.

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Sponsored: Analysis of Humanized Mice with Myeloid Cell Engraftment

Humanized immune system mice are revolutionary tools for the development of oncology therapeutics, but their use has been limited for some applications by impaired human myeloid cell differentiation.

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Amunix scores $117M to fuel T-cell engagers, cytokines for solid tumors

Exactly one year after Amunix Pharmaceuticals raised $73 million, the tech-licensing company turned cancer biotech is drawing another $117 million from the venture capital well. The funds will fuel the development of T-cell engager and cytokine treatments for solid tumors, including the advancement of its lead asset into the clinic.

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BlackRock powers Exscientia to $100M series C round to fund autonomous drug design

Exscientia has raised $100 million to further develop its AI drug discovery platform while advancing its proprietary pipeline into clinical trials. The series C saw Exscientia add BlackRock to an investor syndicate already dotted with big names.

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Inhibiting pancreatic cancer by exploiting a protein loophole

Pancreatic cancer is typically aggressive, and there are few effective treatment options. Researchers led by China Medical University have found a possible way to inhibit this deadly tumor by targeting a molecular loophole in the cancer-promoting protein IL-17RB, and they have promising preclinical data.

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Boston Scientific to pick up Lumenis' surgical laser business for $1B

Boston Scientific aims to acquire Lumenis’ global surgical laser business, through a $1.07 billion deal that will incorporate its systems for ear, nose and throat procedures and its Moses laser treatment for breaking apart kidney stones.

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CureVac, Novartis team up in latest pandemic vaccine manufacturing collaboration

CureVac has already attracted two Big Pharma partners for its COVID-19 vaccine work, and now Novartis is getting involved to help with production. The companies have signed an initial manufacturing agreement that’s expected to boost the mRNA biotech’s overall vaccine capacity by 50 million doses in 2021 and 200 million doses in 2022. 

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Enrollment Showcase

Specialize Your Career in Pharmaceutical Outcomes

Learn about the Top 5-Ranked UF College of Pharmacy’s online graduate programs in pharmaceutical outcomes & policy. Select from five specializations, including the new pharmaceutical value assessment & communication option. Over half of graduates progress to a new role within one year. Register now.

Resources

Guide: How to maximize your drug commercialization investments

Unlock product potential by making the most of your commercialization investments. 

eBook: Optimize Trial Performance with AI-enabled Technology & Advanced Analytics

Unlock competitive advantage with AI and advanced analytics.

Whitepaper: The Crush: How COVID-19 Is Impacting Mature Brand Revenue & Long-Term Value

Mature brands lost billions in revenue and value during COVID, but with the right strategy, pharma can rebound and reignite revenue. Learn How.

Whitepaper: Overcoming the hurdles of Real-World Data Access through a federated global network

Download our whitepaper to learn how BC Platforms has leveraged our technical expertise to offer robust and comprehensive solutions to maximize RWD ROI.

Free Infographic: The Future of Vaccine Development

Involved in vaccine development? Check out this timely infographic detailing the history of vaccines, key development milestones, and what challenges remain.

Whitepaper: 2021 Outlook for Cell-Based Therapies in Oncology: CAR-T Expansion & Beyond

A look ahead at how cell-based therapies in oncology will advance during 2021-22: research, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Whitepaper: Seasonal Vaccine Manufacturing

While service directories are filled with CMOs claiming vaccine fill-finish experience, the logistical challenges resulting from seasonal product are unique and it is important that outsourcing partners can ensure quality and on-time delivery.

Report: New research indicates an accelerated shift to decentralized clinical trials

New research indicates an accelerated adoption of decentralized clinical trials due to COVID-19.

Content Hub: How to improve the virtual work you do every day

We enable virtual work — offering over-time sessions where participants are more focused, insights are more diverse and business goals are met.

Content Hub: Emerging Biotech Resource Center

A one-stop hub for Cytiva resources to support process development and manufacturing of your novel molecule

Executive Summary: Manufacturing Strategies to Effectively Industrialize Autologous Cell Therapies

Autologous cell therapies have seen propelled growth since 2017, with the spotlight on the first FDA approval of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy, Kymriah® (tisagenlecleucel), for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Research: Premier Research Resource Hub

Browse the latest learnings and insights from our clinical development professionals.

eBrief: Drug Product Process Development: Ensuring a Consistent, High-quality Biologic

Learn about drug product process development challenges and risks, the difference between innovator and biosimilar drug product process development, and more during the drug product process development phase.

Whitepaper: Achieving a Successful Drug Product Technology Transfer

Get insights on key considerations for a successful tech transfer process for manufacturing a biologic drug product, including a case study on overcoming challenges in a process transfer for a sterile diluent.

Whitepaper: The Art of Recognizing Clinical Supply Risk Factors

In a BioPharma Dive industry survey, planning and forecasting were identified as top concerns for trial sponsors. In response to this need, the CSM team at Catalent has developed a methodology for identifying, evaluating, and proactively managing the inherent risks involved in clinical trial supply chain management.

eBook: Expecting the Unexpected: Strategies for Efficient Clinical Supply Management and Forecasting

Learn how to drive excellence within the forecasting process and utilize forecasting throughout the clinical study to better plan clinical supply budgets and project timelines. Explore how to identify potential supply-related issues before they can negatively impact your study.

Events