Plus our top stories of the week

This Week

May 3, 2024

Bristol Myers Squibb closes immuno-oncology, cell therapy-focused Redwood City site


Pfizer scores FDA nod for hemophilia B gene therapy, will charge $3.5M per dose


Gilead gives up on $4.9B antibody as solid tumor plan unravels


AbbVie's Skyrizi proves a worthy Humira successor with nearly matching sales ahead of potential UC nod


WuXi Biologics withdraws from 2024 BIO convention amid worsening geopolitical tensions


FDA finalizes rule to bring lab-developed tests into the regulatory fold

 

Featured

Bristol Myers Squibb closes immuno-oncology, cell therapy-focused Redwood City site

Bristol Myers Squibb is closing a 256,000-square-foot research facility in Redwood City, California, as part of the company's larger restructuring. Scientists at the site homed in on studying the tumor microenvironment.
 

Top Stories

Pfizer scores FDA nod for hemophilia B gene therapy, will charge $3.5M per dose

Ten years after dipping its toe into the gene therapy pool in a licensing deal with Spark Therapeutics, Pfizer has gained an FDA approval for the acquired treatment, Beqvez for hemophilia B. It becomes the first FDA-approved gene therapy for Pfizer, which will charge $3.5 million for the single-dose drug.

Gilead gives up on $4.9B antibody as solid tumor plan unravels

A $4.9 billion hole has appeared in Gilead’s pipeline. After years of setbacks, the Big Biotech dealt a final blow to its anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody magrolimab Thursday by removing the remaining solid tumor trials from its pipeline.

AbbVie's Skyrizi proves a worthy Humira successor with nearly matching sales ahead of potential UC nod

As Humira continues its sales free fall, newer Skyrizi is proving a worthy successor with nearly matching sales ahead of an upcoming FDA decision in ulcerative colitis.

WuXi Biologics withdraws from 2024 BIO convention amid worsening geopolitical tensions

WuXi Biologics has quietly pulled out of the 2024 BIO International Convention in June. The company's withdrawal from the convention comes at a point of heightened tension between Chinese biopharma service providers and certain U.S. lawmakers.

FDA finalizes rule to bring lab-developed tests into the regulatory fold

At its heart, the 528-page final rule looks to make clear that in vitro diagnostic tests are to be considered medical devices like any other.

Moderna exits gene editing deal worth up to $3B biobucks, leaving Metagenomi in the spotlight

Earlier this year, Metagenomi had the spotlight with a $93.7 million IPO. Now, Moderna is exiting stage left on a partnership worth up to $3 billion in biobucks.  

Gilead writes $2.4B off Trodelvy as CEO underscores 'time of focused execution'

After a negative phase 3 readout, Gilead Sciences is taking a $2.4 billion impairment charge on the antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy. With a busy year ahead across therapeutic areas, CEO Dan O'Day emphasized a "time of focused execution."

Pharma's reputation falls for first time since 2018 as pandemic-era halo slips

Pharma’s pandemic-era halo is slipping. After tracking a surge in the industry’s reputation, PatientView found patient groups soured on drugmakers somewhat last year to send pharma’s standing to its lowest level since 2020.

Pfizer collab with Austrian research institute leads to new AI models for drug discovery

A three-year collaboration between Pfizer and the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences has resulted in a new AI-driven drug discovery method that could make it faster and easier to identify small molecules with therapeutic potential.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

'Podnosis': Inside the plans to build a health innovation hub in New Jersey’s SciTech Scity

This week on "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya dives into the details of the innovation hub being built in New Jersey's SciTech City.

 

Resources

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Using Synthesis and Route Design Technology to Approach API Complexity

Small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) continue to grow more complex. Download the white paper to learn more about using synthesis and route design technology to approach API complexity. 
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Branded Digital Companions in Biopharma

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Vaccine Development Challenges in Facing Influenza and COVID-19

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Straight to Market in an Autoinjector

The use of prefilled syringes to administer biotherapeutics is beginning to gain traction because they offer a range of stability, efficacy, and patient safety benefits. Download this white paper to learn how Lonza has developed a novel workflow to ensure confidence regarding functionality in PFS and autoinjectors.
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The 6 trends shaping pharma strategies in 2024

Life sciences market experts from Optum and Advisory Board share perspectives on trends that will influence the future drug value chain. Download this eBook to learn more about the future state of health care dynamics and its affects along the pharmaceutical value chain.

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State of third-party logistics in the pharma industry

Learn about the current state of biopharma logistics with insights from 150 manufacturers in this exclusive market survey report. Download the report to learn about how regulatory factors and emerging therapies are having an effect on logistics.
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Discover the future of mAb manufacturing

Unlock the future of monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing with a complete guide to enhancing productivity and quality for exceptional outcomes.
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How Can a Central Lab Deliver Essential Lab Data and Optimize Study Timelines?

Clinical trials demand accurate lab data. Central labs uphold standards by ensuring consistency in methodologies, equipment, and reporting. Robust and integrated analytical platforms can support this via real-time access to study and lab data with transparent reporting capabilities, as well as to facilitate critical clinical decision-making and solve drug developers' challenges. Learn more about Preclarus®️ Lab Solutions by PPD®️ from expert Chris Clendening in this paper.
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Oncology Market Outlook 2024

This paper assesses the current state of the oncology market, reviewing key expectations for 2024. It addresses CAR-T therapies, KRAS, radiopharmaceuticals, & targeted protein degradation.
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Guidance for Biotechs Choosing Next-Gen Contract GMP/CMC Labs

Choosing the right contract lab can help drug developers accelerate their timelines and generate cost-efficiencies. For insights into what to look for when selecting a GMP/CMC lab partner read this white paper which delves into a range of factors that can support your needs in both the short-term and in planning for the future.
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Industry Insights: What to Expect from a 3PL

Selecting a 3PL with a proven track record of delivering high-quality services is critical to a successful pharma supply chain. Here's how.
 

Industry Events

Drug Development Boot Camp® VIRTUAL | Spring 2024

April ‌10-11, ‌2024

On Helix

Date: ‌4 ‌July ‌2024 ‌- ‌Location: ‌Babraham ‌Research ‌Campus, ‌Cambridge ‌UK

 

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