Neuleukin sheds 70% of staff

Today's Big News

Mar 9, 2023

Vertex's next off-the-shelf diabetes cell therapy follows in predecessor's footsteps to the clinic


Lilly's 10-year bet on treating Alzheimer's before symptoms start ends in failure


Neoleukin, old ending: De novo protein player lays off 70% of staff, searches for strategic alternative


Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '23: Ring circles $86.5M; QurAlis catches $88M for ALS ambitions


FDA placed hold on Fulcrum's sickle cell therapy over hematological malignancy concerns


Potential Alzheimer's treatment mechanism modifies mRNA to bring immune cells into the brain

 

Featured

Vertex's next off-the-shelf diabetes cell therapy follows in predecessor's footsteps to the clinic

Vertex’s type 1 diabetes cell therapy turned heads when one patient's islet cell function was restored. Now, the pharma is readying version 2.0 for the clinic after the FDA cleared a similar treatment that uses a device to shield the cells from the body’s immune system.
 

Top Stories

Lilly's 10-year bet on treating Alzheimer's before symptoms start ends in failure

As the pile of failed Alzheimer’s disease programs grew ever larger, researchers identified trials in earlier- and earlier-stage patients as the key to efficacy. The flops were a case of right drug, wrong patients, the theory went. Eli Lilly put the idea to the test—and 10 years later has learned its drug was at fault all along.

Neoleukin, old ending: De novo protein player lays off 70% of staff, searches for strategic alternative

The end is near for Neoleukin Therapeutics. Months after laying off 40% of its staff and dropping its lead candidate, the de novo protein specialist has revealed plans to part company with 70% of its remaining employees, including its CEO, and hunker down while it searches for a strategic alternative.

Broadening the Commercialization Partnership

This story centers on the benefits of implementing a full service commercial model to improve launch success for customers who lack the necessary infrastructure. Watch how Syneos Health expertise in Medical Affairs acted as a bridge to forge this full service commercial partnership, which helped meet critical deadlines for patients.

Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '23: Ring circles $86.5M; QurAlis catches $88M for ALS ambitions

Alongside the new year, we've launched a new Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker to keep the pulse on the industry's financing.

FDA placed hold on Fulcrum's sickle cell therapy over hematological malignancy concerns

The FDA’s ongoing clinical hold on Fulcrum’s sickle cell disease therapy was sparked by concerns about potential hematological malignancies, the biotech has revealed.

Potential Alzheimer's treatment mechanism modifies mRNA to bring immune cells into the brain

Researchers have uncovered yet another potential treatment mechanism in the quest to find new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, this time modifying mRNA to bring immune cells into the brain.

Adaptive Research partners with California hospital to expand trial access

Adaptive Research, a CRO focused on putting community physicians into the clinical trial process, has partnered with AHMC Seton Medical Center to expand patient access to new drug studies.

Creative Medical taps CRO Syneos to run Type 1 diabetes cell therapy study

Biotech Creative Medical Technology has tapped Syneos to run a phase 1/2 randomized trial of its cell therapy for the potential treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

Koneksa links with SSI Strategy to advance digital biomarker services

Koneksa has linked with life sciences consultant SSI Strategy as part of the Novartis- and Merck-backed company’s strategy to expand digital biomarkers in clinical trials.

Akorn's downfall amplifies shortage of asthma med albuterol, FDA warns

Liquid albuterol—which is inhaled via nebulizer to increase air flow to the lungs—has been running scarce since autumn, according to the U.S. FDA. The regulator lists just two domestic suppliers for the drug: South Carolina’s Nephron Pharmaceuticals and the now-defunct Akorn.

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.

Walgreens won't sell abortion pills in GOP states after legal threats from state officials; California won't renew contract

The Walgreens decision stems from a letter written by nearly two dozen Republican state attorneys general at the beginning of February that threatened legal action if the company began distributing Mifepristone in their states.

In SCOTUS filing, Amgen claps back at Sanofi and Regeneron in long-running patent feud

As Sanofi and Regeneron press their patent agenda at the U.S. Supreme Court, Amgen has accused its rivals of ignoring set legal standard.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': Surprising multibillion-dollar medtech M&A deals

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

Read about the latest survey results from over 200 biopharma executives and the changing approaches to building biologic drug development pipelines.
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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.
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.

Whitepaper

Intranasal Drug Product Development: Formulation to Manufacturing

What are key considerations for intranasal delivery in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions?
Research

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.

Whitepaper

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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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.

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.
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.
Whitepaper

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.
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

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.
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.
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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