Discovery spurred 'dancing around the lab'

Today's Big News

Apr 7, 2023

Genentech probe of Marc Tessier-Lavigne paper finds no fraud evidence, but image 'anomalies' stay unresolved


Layoffs loom as Takeda trims early-stage efforts in AAV gene therapy, rare hematology


A discovery of how cells select their identity had researchers 'dancing around the lab'


Chutes & Ladders—Amarin CEO abruptly resigns amid board turmoil

 

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Genentech probe of Marc Tessier-Lavigne paper finds no fraud evidence, but image 'anomalies' stay unresolved

Genentech has published the findings of its investigation into an alleged fraud and a cover-up involving a 2009 Nature paper co-authored by Marc Tessier-Lavigne. None of the 35 current and former employees interviewed for the probe reported knowing of fraud, but the process did leave unanswered questions.
 

Top Stories

Layoffs loom as Takeda trims early-stage efforts in AAV gene therapy, rare hematology

Takeda is moving away from early R&D work in the AAV gene therapy and rare hematology spaces, with an unknown number of employees set to “transition out” of the pharma.

A discovery of how cells select their identity had researchers 'dancing around the lab'

A cell has to know what it is to do its job. New research from Trinity College Dublin has helped reveal just how cells establish their identities, which could have implications for developing more targeted cancer treatments.

Chutes & Ladders—Amarin CEO abruptly resigns amid board turmoil

Amarin CEO abruptly resigned after investor activists shook up the board. CinCor's former CEO jumps to Abivax after AstraZeneca sale. Page joins Arvinas to lead global oncology strategy.

Merck and Eisai's Lenvima-Ketruda combo flunks first-line melanoma trial

At the behest of an independent data monitoring committee, Merck and Eisai have called it quits on their phase 3 study of Keytruda plus Lenvima as an initial treatment in unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

AbbVie, J&J pull 2 Imbruvica accelerated approvals in lymphoma, giving way to AZ and BeiGene

AbbVie and J&J are pulling two Imbruvica accelerated approvals after failing to satisfy the FDA. They're doing so even though the drug met its primary endpoint in a confirmatory trial in one of the indications.

Diabetes cell pouch developer Sernova fights off proxy battle

A group of investors says the company’s leadership has shown slow progress in clinical trials and presided over sliding stock value.

Clovis sells off remaining assets—including cancer drug Rubraca—for $70M-plus

Four months after filing for bankruptcy, Clovis Oncology has found a buyer for its assets including the rights to ovarian cancer drug Rubraca. Pharma& Schweiz GmbH of Switzerland submitted the highest bid at an auction on March 30. The agreement is for $70 million up front, with an additional $50 million on achieving regulatory milestones and $15 million in sales-related milestones.

FDA snatches back accelerated approval for Covis' controversial preterm birth drug Makena

After a long battle, it's officially the end of the road for Covis' preterm birth med Makena. The FDA finally revoked its approval after two advisory committee recommendations to do so.

Gilead caused injuries while waiting to develop safer HIV drugs, lawsuit claims

In yet another TAF/TDF drug lawsuit for Gilead Sciences, the company faces claims from two plaintiffs that it caused injuries with its older tenofovir products while shelving a safer generation of new products.

New bipartisan bill aims to tie doc pay to inflation amid industry concerns

New bipartisan legislation in the House aims to tie Medicare physician payments to rises in inflation to better keep pace with rising costs.

'The Top Line': Humira's patent cliff and 2023's other big patent expirations, plus this week's headlines

This week on "The Top Line," we discuss how this year is chock-full of blockbuster drugs headed for the patent cliff, besides the well-known patent cliff for AbbVie's Humira. We also cover Johnson & Johnson's talc settlement offer and more of this week's top headlines.

Fierce Pharma Asia—BioNTech's ADC deal; Sanofi's potential consumer cut; Takeda's latest celiac play

BioNTech linked up with a Chinese company on two antibody-drug conjugates. Sanofi is reportedly looking to separate its consumer health unit in India through a de-merger. Takeda is doubling down on celiac disease with yet another deal in the area. And more.
 
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'The Top Line': Humira's patent cliff and 2023's other big patent expirations, plus this week's headlines

This week on "The Top Line," we discuss how this year is chock-full of blockbuster drugs headed for the patent cliff, besides the well-known patent cliff for AbbVie's Humira. We also cover Johnson & Johnson's talc settlement offer and more of this week's top headlines.
 

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