Gamida gets FDA nod for cell therapy

Today's Big News

Apr 18, 2023

The top 20 pharma companies by 2022 revenue


GSK coughs up $2B to buy Bellus for late-phase rival to Merck & Co.'s stuttering gefapixant


Big Pharmas finally strike with GSK, Merck acquisitions, signaling accelerating pace of M&A


Medtronic embarks on months-long global layoffs, with total cuts unknown


After going all-in on blood cancer therapy, Gamida Cell scores big win at FDA


2 embattled biotechs fight to survive as cash, options run dry


J&J's unstoppable profit engine sputters after $6.9B talc litigation charge

 

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The top 20 pharma companies by 2022 revenue

2022 was all about a return to normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic. While a few companies continued to reap huge profits from COVID products, others benefited from a return to business as usual operations. It was a tough year for the global economy, but biopharma showed its resilience with all but a few recording revenue gains.
 

Top Stories

GSK coughs up $2B to buy Bellus for late-phase rival to Merck & Co.'s stuttering gefapixant

Merck & Co. has a new challenger for the chronic cough market: GSK. The British Big Pharma is set to pay $2 billion to buy Bellus Health, securing a late-phase rival to Merck’s stuttering gefapixant program and completing a remarkable, 16-year turnaround for the biotech.

Big Pharmas finally strike with GSK, Merck acquisitions, signaling accelerating pace of M&A

After circling around the crop of biotechs ripe for a takeover, Big Pharma companies have finally decided to strike. Merck & Co. made the first jab for Prometheus Biosciences on Sunday, then GSK struck Tuesday.

Medtronic embarks on months-long global layoffs, with total cuts unknown

With about 100,000 employees worldwide, the process of notifying people whether or not they still have a job could take months, the company said in a statement to Fierce Medtech.

After going all-in on blood cancer therapy, Gamida Cell scores big win at FDA

Three weeks after reducing its staff by 17% and shelving three pipeline candidates, cash-strapped Gamida Cell has received its long-awaited lifeline. Monday, the company scored FDA approval for Omisirge, an allogenic cell therapy to reduce the risk of infection in blood cancer patients.

2 embattled biotechs fight to survive as cash, options run dry

As difficult market conditions continue, two European-based biotechs are slashing costs and seeking ways to stay afloat as the end of the road nears.

J&J's unstoppable profit engine sputters after $6.9B talc litigation charge

A $6.9 billion charge tied to J&J’s talc defense spurred a net earnings loss of $68 million in 2023’s first quarter, the company reported Tuesday. J&J is currently defending itself against tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc-based products cause cancer.

J&J records $130M restructuring expense in Q1 overhaul of infectious disease unit

The overhaul of Johnson & Johnson’s infectious disease work, which includes the end of its adult RSV vaccine program, has resulted in expenses of $130 million for the first quarter.

AACR: Adela’s multi-cancer blood test shows promise in detecting early stage tumors

Canadian newcomer Adela has shown that its test for detecting the faint traces of cancer in the bloodstream could spot 12 different types of the disease, including many in their early stages when they have the best chances of being treated.

Apellis taps Henry Winkler to raise awareness of eye disease as drug launch ramps up

Apellis Pharmaceuticals is eyeing happy days for its new geographic atrophy (GA) therapy Syfovre. With the market to itself, for now, the biotech is working to raise awareness about the disease and its warning signs—and has brought Henry Winkler on board to help get the message out.

Tandem auto-bolusing artificial pancreas has greatest impact on highest glucose levels: study

If Tandem Diabetes Care's Control-IQ artificial pancreas system predicts an especially high spike in a user’s blood sugar, the algorithm can send out a correction dose of insulin up to once an hour to prevent hyperglycemia.

After lupus setback, Nektar sticks with immunology but lays off 60% of hometown workforce

Almost exactly a year after Nektar Therapeutics jettisoned 70% of its staff, the biotech is now contracting again. This time, 60% of its San Francisco-based workforce are being laid off as part of a reorganization that will also see the C-suite rejigged and the company focus on immunology.

Neuspera nabs nod from FDA for ‘ultra-miniaturized’ peripheral nerve stimulator implant

Though it be but little, it is fierce: An implant that’s the width of just a few strands of hair is designed to take on the outsized symptoms of chronic pain—and is now cleared by the FDA to do just that.

New test detects Parkinson's biomarker before movement symptoms start

A nearly-decade-long study sponsored by actor Michael J. Fox's foundation has resulted in an assay that could pave the way for early intervention in Parkinson's disease—and maybe even new drugs that can prevent the disease.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': The biotechs that scored top VC dollars in 2022, plus this week's headlines

This week on "The Top Line," we talk about biotech’s top money raisers in 2022. We also cover J&J's talc litigation, prison plans for Elizabeth Holmes and more of this week's top headlines.
 

Resources

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Accessing and Analyzing Relevant Content in Today’s Information Chaos – R&D Challenges and Opportunities

We’ve identified four must-have tools to manage today’s scientific information chaos. How many are you utilizing?
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Blueprint for Commercializing Cell and Gene Therapies

How advanced medicines commercial readiness differs and the resources needed to maximize potential.
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Coming to America: Keys to Success for ex-US Digital Health Companies Entering the US Market

This paper outlines an approach that digital health / therapeutics companies can use when developing a go-to-market strategy for the complex US market.
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Plan for scalable process liquid and buffer preparation

Preparation of critical process liquids and buffer components shifts resources away from core activities and can be filled with inefficiencies and risks that can increase time and costs across your workflow. Learn about the framework to help reduce your total costs beyond capital and operational expenditures and set a solid foundation for successful scale-up of buffer preparation.
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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.

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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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