Merck spends $50M for Epstein-Barr virus shot

Today's Big News

Mar 8, 2023

Johnson & Johnson layoffs hit medtech business, with more than 350 cuts in California


Amid major restructuring, Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan's 2022 pay fell by more than a quarter 


Chasing Moderna, Merck pays $50M to join race to develop cancer-preventing vaccine


Covis finally pulls preterm birth drug Makena after 12-year accelerated approval odyssey 


Fresh Tracks may disappear as biotech mulls sale to continue autoimmune pipeline 


Abbott's lab-based blood test for concussion scores FDA nod 

 

Featured

Johnson & Johnson layoffs hit medtech business, with more than 350 cuts in California

Amid reports of layoffs within Johnson & Johnson's Janssen pharmaceutical division and outgoing consumer health group, the job cuts have now reached J&J’s medtech division.
 

Top Stories

Amid major restructuring, Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan's 2022 pay fell by more than a quarter

After handing Narasimhan $9 million in performance-based pay in 2021, Novartis' compensation committee slashed the CEO’s award in that category by a whopping 61% last year. The pay cut, spurred by turbulent performance between 2020 and 2022, contrasts sharply with Novartis’ execution during the first three-year stretch under Narasimhan’s lead. 

Chasing Moderna, Merck pays $50M to join race to develop cancer-preventing vaccine

Merck & Co. has joined the emerging race to develop an Epstein-Barr virus vaccine, paying ModeX Therapeutics $50 million upfront and dangling $872.5 million in biobucks for global rights to a preclinical challenger to shots in clinical development at Moderna and the NIH.

Covis finally pulls preterm birth drug Makena after 12-year accelerated approval odyssey

The advantage for Covis’ Makena has always been clear: It was the only drug available to prevent premature birth. But over time, Makena’s disadvantage also became obvious: It didn’t work. On Wednesday, Covis finally agreed to pull Makena off the market.

Fresh Tracks may disappear as biotech mulls sale to continue autoimmune pipeline

Fresh Track’s atopic dermatitis treatment has strolled through a phase 1 study, but the company is considering anything from a licensing deal all the way through to a total sale in order to take the drug forward.

Abbott's lab-based blood test for concussion scores FDA nod

Two years after Abbott landed FDA clearance for a hand-held blood test that could detect signs of mild traumatic brain injuries in the span of about 15 minutes, the concussion-spotting test is heading to the big leagues.

Novo Nordisk's popular weight loss drug Wegovy set for UK launch after cost watchdog's blessing

As Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy makes waves in Hollywood, the craze could soon spread across the pond to the U.K.

Redx stung by porcupine inhibitor flop in biliary tract cancer, setting biotech back before Jounce merger

Redx has hit a thorny patch. In the first data from a phase 2 program, Redx’s porcupine inhibitor RXC004 failed to improve progression-free survival in biliary tract cancer (BTC), prompting the British biotech to stop monotherapy development and focus on combinations in the indication.

Amid expansion push, Evonik opens new German lipid manufacturing plant

As Evonik aims to grow its presence in the contract manufacturing and development industry, the company has opened the doors to a new lipid manufacturing facility in Hanau, Germany.

Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2023: CODA shuts down; Atai cuts 30% of staff

We had hoped that our Layoff Tracker would stay retired for a while, but 2023 is starting to look a lot like our old friend 2022 when it comes to layoffs in biotech.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don't miss an episode

'The Top Line': The surprising multibillion-dollar medtech megadeals

This week on "The Top Line," we discuss 2022's M&A trends in the medtech sector and the surprising multibillion-dollar megadeals. We also cover the top headlines from this week.
 

Resources

Executive Summary

Optimizing drug discovery in a fast-moving market

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Answering your specific questions about mRNA/saRNA manufacturing

Have you had your questions about mRNA/saRNA manufacturing unanswered during a webinar; have no fear, we have you covered here.
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Proven Pharmaceutical Go-To-Market Model

Download Herspiegel Consulting’s Go-To-Market Model, based on 100+ launches, to learn the critical components, and timelines for commercial success.

Research

Strategizing for Clinical Trial Diversity

Like many top 10 and global pharma companies, an H1 client needed to diversify both its patient outreach and site investigator profiles for upcoming trials.
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The Power of Small & Safety: Nanoplasmid™️ Vector Platform

Discover the Power of Small with NanoplasmidTM – the next-generation plasmid for manufacturing today’s cell and gene therapies.

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Leveraging Archetypes for Effective Launch Strategy

Learn more about critical success factors for your next launch based on the experience of 100+ pharma product launches.
On-Demand Webinar

Writing the Future of Antibody Discovery Solutions

See how high-throughput DNA synthesis combined with antibody engineering expertise provides end-to-end antibody discovery solutions.

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Intranasal Drug Product Development: Formulation to Manufacturing

What are key considerations for intranasal delivery in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions?
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Running Decentralized Trials at Scale

Explore how clinical supply can be scaled up as decentralized programs progress, and how technological solutions can accelerate trial deployment.
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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.

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.

Whitepaper

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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Key Clinical Supply Issues Sponsors Should Consider with their CRO

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.

Research

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.

Whitepaper

Specialized Expertise for Management of Clinical Supply Budgets

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.
Whitepaper

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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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.
Whitepaper

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.
Whitepaper

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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