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Today’s Big News

May 1, 2025

Moderna's flu/COVID combination vax hit by deprioritization, FDA delay as R&D spend sinks 19%

Arvinas lays off 33% of staff, axes Pfizer-partnered phase 3 trials after seeing mixed data

Biopharma VC financing fell 20% in Q1 compared to ’24: GlobalData

Amicus pays Dimerix $30M for late-phase rare kidney disease drug

NIH creates new office to lead shift away from animal testing

Immunic CEO says 'nobody should care at all' about missed primary endpoint in MS study

After years of sales declines, 'a new Biogen' emerges as launches take flight: CEO

A pulse check on healthcare 100 days in

Featured

Moderna's flu/COVID combination vax hit by deprioritization, FDA delay as R&D spend sinks 19%

By Nick Paul Taylor

Moderna is deprioritizing its flu/COVID combination vaccine in younger adults amid a push to cut about $1.5 billion from its operating expenses. The biotech disclosed the changes alongside news of a delay to the expected approval of the vaccine in older adults.

Arvinas lays off 33% of staff, axes Pfizer-partnered phase 3 trials after seeing mixed data

By Nick Paul Taylor

Pfizer and Arvinas have axed two phase 3 trials from their estrogen receptor degrader R&D plan in the wake of mixed data. Arvinas disclosed the rethink alongside news that it is laying off one-third of its staff to cut costs and extend its cash runway.

Biopharma VC financing fell 20% in Q1 compared to ’24: GlobalData

By Gabrielle Masson

Worldwide venture financing for the sector experienced a downturn from $8.1 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to $6.5 billion in 2025’s most recent quarter, GlobalData said in an April 30 release.

Amicus pays Dimerix $30M for late-phase rare kidney disease drug

By Nick Paul Taylor

Orphan drug specialist Amicus Therapeutics is paying Dimerix $30 million cash for U.S. rights to the phase 3 prospect DMX-200, establishing it as a challenger to Travere Therapeutics in a rare kidney disease.

NIH creates new office to lead shift away from animal testing

By Darren Incorvaia

The National Institutes of Health is following in the FDA’s footsteps—away from animal testing. Announced April 29, the agency plans to establish a new office meant to develop nonanimal methods for biomedical research.

Immunic CEO says 'nobody should care at all' about missed primary endpoint in MS study

By Darren Incorvaia

Immunic’s lead oral small molecule has failed to hit the primary endpoint of a phase 2 progressive multiple sclerosis trial, but the New York biotech is pointing to other measures from the study as reason to continue developing the asset.

After years of sales declines, 'a new Biogen' emerges as launches take flight: CEO

By Zoey Becker

The company posted 6% revenue growth during the quarter thanks to three launches. Looking forward, Biogen said it's insulated from potential pharmaceutical tariffs.

A pulse check on healthcare 100 days in

By Dave Muoio,Noah Tong,Emma Beavins,Anastassia Gliadkovskaya,Paige Minemyer

President Donald Trump wrapped the first 100 days of his second term on April 29. With an unprecedented number of executive orders and other actions now under his belt, here's where his administration's health-focused efforts currently stand.

Moderna targets more cost cuts amid broader vaccine market uncertainty under HHS secretary RFK Jr.

By Angus Liu

Moderna is extending its cost savings program into 2027 and targeting a cash breakeven point sometime in 2028 as the mRNA biotech faces multiple regulatory uncertainties around vaccines under the Trump administration.

CRO Comac Medical taps new CEO amid global expansion

By Darren Incorvaia

Bulgarian CRO Comac Medical has found a new leader to guide the company's international expansion. Chris Smyth, Ph.D., is leaving his post as president of Icon Biotech to take the helm at Comac Sept. 1, the company said in an April 28 release.

FDA puts up placebo testing requirement for new vaccines, potentially hitting COVID shot makers the hardest: reports

By Eric Sagonowsky

It's not immediately clear if COVID-19 vaccine makers could meet the agency's new requirement in order to release their updated vaccines by the time virus circulation typically ramps up in the fall and winter.

Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Angus on Angus: A Fierce oncology discussion

Two journalists, one name and a candid conversation—Angus Liu and Angus Chen talk cancer reporting, racial identity and being mistaken for each other.

Human-centered design in healthcare

Navigating Trump’s tariffs for pharma

Resources

Whitepaper

Best Practice Medical Affairs Organization Study Report

We interviewed 24 Medical Affairs leaders on the critical success factors for building a Best Practice Medical Affairs organization. This report shares what we learned.

Presented by Blue Matter, strategic consultants in the life sciences

eBook

Through a CRO's perspective: Innovative, Agile Solutions In Vaccine Efficacy Testing

Typical vaccine development timelines have averaged 10 years, but the time from the SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequence’s release to the submission of the first vaccine clinical trial data for regulatory review was a mere 314 days. In IQVIA Laboratories’ Vaccine eBook we focus on how contract research organizations (CROs) can best leverage strategic partnerships with sponsors to prepare for the next pandemic.

Protect Your Trial Data: Endpoint, Imaging, and Safety Review

Is your clinical trial data truly reliable? Learn how a combined approach using Imaging Core Labs and Endpoint Adjudication Committees (EAC) can minimize risk, control costs, and strengthen your study from the ground up. Don’t leave success to chance—arm yourself with the insights to stay ahead.