Newsletter Tool

Today’s Big News

May 13, 2024

Takeda pays AC Immune $100M upfront for Alzheimer's drug as phase 2 readout nears

Sanofi pays $80M to add Roche-rivaling Fulcrum drug to phase 3 rare disease pipeline

Merck halts phase 3 TIGIT trial after immune-mediated adverse events prompt discontinuations

Cytokinetics shows hand in high stakes rivalry with BMS' Camzyos

OnKure hitches Reneo’s ride to Nasdaq in merger, with $65M PIPE to boot

Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024: Takeda to shutter San Diego research site; Ginkgo plans 'reduction in force'

Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '24: Lycia snags $106M series C; Bluejay soars with $189M

Featured

Takeda pays AC Immune $100M upfront for Alzheimer's drug as phase 2 readout nears

By James Waldron

Takeda may be paring back its R&D pipeline in the name of efficiency, but the Japanese pharma has still found $100 million to ensure its clinical pipeline once again features an Alzheimer’s disease drug.

Sanofi pays $80M to add Roche-rivaling Fulcrum drug to phase 3 rare disease pipeline

By Nick Paul Taylor

Sanofi is betting $80 million upfront on a GSK castoff ahead of a phase 3 readout. Fulcrum Therapeutics took the other side of the deal, handing Sanofi ex-U.S. rights to a rare disease candidate that is leading Roche in a race to market.

Merck halts phase 3 TIGIT trial after immune-mediated adverse events prompt discontinuations

By James Waldron

Merck & Co. has bailed early on a phase 3 test of the anti-TIGIT antibody vibostolimab after a high rate of discontinuations rendered the trial's success unlikely.

Cytokinetics shows hand in high stakes rivalry with BMS' Camzyos

By Nick Paul Taylor

Cytokinetics has set out to prove that aficamten is a threat to Bristol Myers Squibb’s $13.1 billion heart disease drug Camzyos, and a new analysis gives the first shot at an apples-to-apples comparison with late-phase data showing improvements in exercise capacity among patients.

OnKure hitches Reneo’s ride to Nasdaq in merger, with $65M PIPE to boot

By Max Bayer

OnKure is merging with publicly-listed Reneo, jumping onto Nasdaq and adding $65 million in PIPE cash. The focus is a lead PI3Kα inhibitor that entered the clinic in February.

Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024: Takeda to shutter San Diego research site; Ginkgo plans 'reduction in force'

By Gabrielle Masson,Max Bayer

We really didn't want to have to create another Layoff Tracker this year. But here we are, launching the third annual iteration tracking biopharma layoffs.

Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '24: Lycia snags $106M series C; Bluejay soars with $189M

By Gabrielle Masson,Annalee Armstrong,Max Bayer

Welcome to Fierce Biotech's Fundraising Tracker, 2024's version.

Johnson & Johnson looks to offload remaining Kenvue stake in $3.75B deal

By Eric Sagonowsky

Johnson & Johnson is again cutting its holdings in Kenvue. This time, it's pursuing a "debt-for-equity" offering that looks to be worth about $3.75 billion.

J&J's Megadyne division pulls pediatric electrosurgery pad from market following patient burn recall

By Conor Hale

The Ethicon branch recalled its Mega Soft and Mega 2000 return electrodes in June 2023 after reports of injuries including third-degree burns.

Here's what the CEOs and CFOs of public for-profit health systems made in 2023

By Dave Muoio

Four of the country's major health systems collectively paid their CEOs $62.6 million and their CFOs $25.6 million, both substantial increases over 2022.

Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Fulfilling the promise of cell & gene therapies through manufacturing (Part I)

This week’s episode of “The Top Line,” kicks off a series diving into the latest advancements in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

Overcoming veteran healthcare hurdles

A closer look at 2023's top biopharma deals and what lies ahead

Resources

Whitepaper

Comprehensive Cell Solutions: Focus on Cellular Therapy Collections

Precision collection of cell therapy source material doesn’t happen by chance. Our new whitepaper illuminates the science and strategies for successful apheresis.

Sponsored by: Comprehensive Cell Solutions

Whitepaper

In Vitro Antibodies – Next-Gen Science Delivers Optimized Candidates

Learn how Specifica’s in vitro antibody discovery platform can deliver better antibodies than traditional immunization approaches.

Sponsored by: Specifica, a Q2 Solutions company

Whitepaper

Branded Digital Companions in Biopharma

This paper defines “digital companions” in biopharma, explores their value from the patient & company perspectives, & outlines a process for successfully fielding a new digital companion.

Presented by: Blue Matter, strategic consultants in the life sciences

Whitepaper

Vaccine Development Challenges in Facing Influenza and COVID-19

Explore the complex considerations of vaccine development for influenza and COVID-19, including the challenges posed by viral evolution and the importance of ongoing research in this paper by vaccine expert, Dr. Lisa Kierstead.

Sponsored by: PPD®️ Laboratory Services

eBook

Designing Patient-Centered Endpoint in Rare Disease Trials

To make every rare disease trial count, we design patient-centric, relevant strategies for sponsors and caregivers to produce impactful results every time.

Patient Engagement Series

Discover the secrets behind successful patient engagement

Antibody Profiling: Decoding the Humoral Immune System

Antibody biomarkers are redefining precision medicine, from diagnosing diseases earlier to stratifying patients – download your copy today!

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 now to learn how Lonza has developed a novel workflow to ensure confidence regarding functionality in PFS and autoinjectors.

Presented by: Lonza