Life sciences VC raises $1.5B

Today's Big News

Apr 19, 2023

J&J, Legend’s Carvykti cut risk of progression or death by whopping 74% in earlier myeloma, leaked abstract shows  


Intuitive sees robotic surgeries skyrocket in Q1 as healthcare inches toward pre-pandemic norms  


Forbion points to high investor demand in €1.3B raise for largest haul yet  


GSK faces strike threat in UK, again, after workers pan pay raise  


Abbott maintains sunny outlook for 2023 despite faster-than-expected COVID testing declines  


In a year of turnover, Seagen doled out $126M to a trio of CEOs 

 

Featured

J&J, Legend's Carvykti cut risk of progression or death by whopping 74% in earlier myeloma, leaked abstract shows

J&J and Legend's CAR-T therapy Carvykti slashed the risk of disease progression or death by a whopping 74% in multiple myeloma, according to a leaked abstract Fierce Pharma has obtained. The number exceeds analysts' expectations and puts Bristol Myers Squibb on notice.
 

Top Stories

Intuitive sees robotic surgeries skyrocket in Q1 as procedures inch toward pre-pandemic norms

True to its namesake, Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci robotic surgery system has become increasingly prolific amid the current renaissance period—as in, the resurgence of regular healthcare procedures as the COVID-19 pandemic transitions into an endemic.

Forbion points to high investor demand in €1.3B raise for largest haul yet

If there’s a slowdown in VC investment, no one’s told Forbion. The European life sciences-focused growth fund has raised 1.35 billion euros ($1.5 billion) across two funds, marking the firm’s largest fundraising to date.

GSK faces strike threat in UK, again, after workers pan pay raise

Represented by Unite, the UK’s biggest labor union, 750 GSK staffers have voted to strike after the company offered a 6% pay raise with a one-off lump sum of £1,300—an amount Unite says is “significantly below” the rate of inflation. GSK’s offer to its employees represents a “substantial real terms pay cut” in light of the U.K.'s true inflation rate of 13.5%, Unite said in a press release.

Abbott maintains sunny outlook for 2023 despite faster-than-expected COVID testing declines

With COVID-related sales expected to clock in at a mere fraction of last year’s—and to drag down 2023’s total sales in the process—Abbott is redoubling its focus on non-COVID-related operations across the company.

In a year of turnover, Seagen doled out $126M to a trio of CEOs

It appears that Seagen’s David Epstein will have quite a short tenure as CEO of the cancer specialist. But it’s going to pay off nicely. Epstein, who was hired in November by the Seattle biotech and helped execute its $43 billion sale last month to Pfizer, collected $57.5 million in total pay last year, according to an SEC filing.

Revolo drops dab of midphase data on would-be Dupixent rival

Revolo Biotherapeutics thinks it has the data to keep advancing a would-be challenger to Dupixent. In a small, short phase 2a allergy trial, the biotech linked its peptide to a “numeric reduction” on the primary endpoint, emboldening it to start looking forward to further development.

Goodbye, original COVID-19 vaccines: FDA updates shot guidance, pulls monovalent authorizations

The agency pulled its emergency use authorizations for the original COVID-19 vaccines and now says most people need only one dose of the updated shots.

Noah Medical inundated with $150M in VC cash for its lung biopsy robot

Just weeks after securing an FDA clearance for its robotic lung surgery system, Noah Medical has been flooded with venture capital dollars, led by Softbank Vision Fund.

Metrodora opens neuroimmune research center in Salt Lake City, reveals first biotech partners

The Metrodora Institute has opened the doors of its medical and research center in Salt Lake City, giving biopharma companies a new neuroimmune drug development and clinical trial partner in Utah.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don't miss an episode

'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

Research

Maximizing Clinical Trial Success

Strategies for Optimal Site Selection and Feasibility Research in Novel Therapies and Geographies
Whitepaper

eConsent: Flexible Consent Through Enabling Technologies

How can eConsent provide a more flexible approach to informed consent?
Whitepaper

The Hematopoietic Colony Forming Cell (CFC) Assay for Drug Safety and Toxicity

The preclinical hematotoxicity screening method that helps clients eliminate bad players earlier in the drug development process
Whitepaper

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?
Whitepaper

Blueprint for Commercializing Cell and Gene Therapies

How advanced medicines commercial readiness differs and the resources needed to maximize potential.
Whitepaper

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.
Whitepaper

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.
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.
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

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

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.
 

Industry Events

 

Upcoming Fierce Events

1-3
May
May 1-3, 2023 | Jersey City, NJ
12-14
Jun
San Diego, CA
13
Jun
Free Virtual Event
20-22
Jun
Free Virtual Event
22
Jun
Free Virtual Event

View all events