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Today's Rundown

Novavax executives' pay comes back down to Earth after 8-figure package in 2020
Astellas takes $170M hit as DMD gene therapy plan unravels in wake of preclinical data
Bayer nabs yet another oncology leader from GSK to bolster cancer efforts
Sponsored: CDx Biomarkers for Oncology Research & Development
The Clever-1? Faron hails melanoma data despite lack of responses
Vallon looks for escape route a month after sole clinical asset fails in clinic
Reify raises $220M to bridge trial diversity gaps, setting valuation at $4.8B
Global trust in pharma CEOs in the doldrums when it comes to 'telling the truth about health'
White House pushes for more money for harm reduction in drug control strategy plan
Genentech-led team uncovers how cancer cells resist T-cell attack in potential boon to immunotherapy
WHO gives a thumbs up to Pfizer's Paxlovid while scolding the company for its 'lack of price transparency'
Intuitive Surgical pulls off 15% revenue growth despite ongoing COVID, supply chain challenges
Regeneron CEO's pay drops 95%—but that shouldn't come as a shock
Chutes & Ladders—Romanelli returns to Merck to lead international human health team after brief CEO stint
Fierce Pharma Asia—Merck's Romanelli returns; Sanofi's 'factory of the future'; Fujifilm's $450M contract

Featured Story

Novavax executives' pay comes back down to Earth after 8-figure package in 2020

By Annalee Armstrong,Max Bayer

2020 was a good year for Novavax’s executives, who were showered with eight-figure pay packages. For 2021, the cash has dropped down, but thanks to some accounting changes, it sounds like 2022 might see another big payday for the vaccine maker's top brass.

Astellas takes $170M hit as DMD gene therapy plan unravels in wake of preclinical data

By Nick Paul Taylor

Astellas’ gene therapy strategy is sinking deeper into the mire. Having reviewed the data on its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapies, the Japanese drugmaker has decided to scrap the candidates, triggering a $170 million impairment loss.

Bayer nabs yet another oncology leader from GSK to bolster cancer efforts

By Gabrielle Masson

For the second time this year, German drugmaker Bayer has nabbed an oncology leader from GlaxoSmithKline, appointing Tara Frenkl, M.D., to lead oncology development for its oncology strategic business unit.

Faron Pharmaceuticals has posted data on its tumor-associated macrophage candidate bexmarilimab, linking the antibody to one unconfirmed partial response in a cohort of 11 checkpoint inhibitor refractory melanoma patients.

Vallon looks for escape route a month after sole clinical asset fails in clinic

By Max Bayer

A month after Vallon Pharmaceuticals' one and only clinical-stage asset failed its first phase 1 test, the company is looking for an escape route to save the business. Vallon has tapped a law firm and investment bank to help with a strategic review, with the goal of finding any and all opportunities to stay afloat.

Reify raises $220M to bridge trial diversity gaps, setting valuation at $4.8B

By Gareth Macdonald

Reify Health says $220 million in new funding round will support development of its diversity-focused clinical trial recruitment technologies and initiatives.

Global trust in pharma CEOs in the doldrums when it comes to 'telling the truth about health'

By Ben Adams

Pharmaceutical chiefs are among the least trusted group of people when it comes to talking about health. That’s the damning finding from a new report from consultants Edelman, which found that just 46% of those surveyed trusted CEOs of healthcare companies, on par with government leaders but well below a patient’s doctor at 76%.

White House pushes for more money for harm reduction in drug control strategy plan

By Robert King

The White House unveiled a new national drug control strategy that for the first time touts harm reduction strategies such as supervised syringe sites.

Genentech-led team uncovers how cancer cells resist T-cell attack in potential boon to immunotherapy

By Angus Liu

Cancer cells deploy various tactics to avoid being targeted and killed by the immune system. A research team led by Roche’s Genentech has now identified one such method that cancer cells use to resist T-cell assault by repairing damage.

WHO gives a thumbs up to Pfizer's Paxlovid while scolding the company for its 'lack of price transparency'

By Kevin Dunleavy

In recommending the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 oral antiviral, Paxlovid, for at-risk patients with mild-to-moderate COVID, the World Health Organization also implored the company to make the treatment more readily accessible to the world.

Intuitive Surgical pulls off 15% revenue growth despite ongoing COVID, supply chain challenges

By Andrea Park

The year-over-year growth stemmed from a 19% surge in the number of procedures performed around the world using Intuitive’s da Vinci robotic surgery system.

Regeneron CEO's pay drops 95%—but that shouldn't come as a shock

By Fraiser Kansteiner

Regeneron's CEO, Leonard Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., collected a total of $6.47 million in 2021 pay, a whopping 95% decrease from the $135 million he made the year before. The compensation slump was to be expected, however.

Chutes & Ladders—Romanelli returns to Merck to lead international human health team after brief CEO stint

By Max Bayer

Joseph Romanelli is returning to his roots, rejoining Merck to lead the company's international human health business. Bayer taps former GSK leader Frenkl to help chart the course of its oncology program. Fore names Ros as its new CEO nearly five months after ousting its former leader over insider trading charges.

Fierce Pharma Asia—Merck's Romanelli returns; Sanofi's 'factory of the future'; Fujifilm's $450M contract

By Angus Liu

Merck's former China head will return to the Big Pharma to lead international human health. Sanofi has kicked off construction of a new vaccine production plant in Singapore. Fujifilm secured a $450 million contract with the U.S. government for its endoscopy technologies. And more.