Gilead bets another $1B on Arcus

Today's Big News

May 15, 2023

FDA advisers narrowly vote in favor of Sarepta's DMD gene therapy


Sarepta rewarded by Wall Street for FDA committee shocker, with accelerated nod now more likely


Identifying 'gems' before others do: J&J exec gives insider's look at dealmaking spree


Gilead expands Arcus oncology pact into inflammatory disease, adding $1B in potential biobucks


AstraZeneca, spying post-BCMA big bucks, pays $55M for ADC to join peers in hot cancer space


New Eli Lilly-backed neurological disease biotech Nido unveils with $109M


Athenex files for bankruptcy, seeks buyer for natural killer cell therapy unit


Human brain organoids in mice give first glimpse of microglia dysfunction in autism

 

Featured

FDA advisers narrowly vote in favor of Sarepta's DMD gene therapy

FDA advisers have narrowly voted in favor of Sarepta’s gene therapy for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a stunning decision that runs counter to regulators who expressed skepticism heading into the meeting. 
 

Top Stories

Sarepta rewarded by Wall Street for FDA committee shocker, with accelerated nod now more likely

Sarepta was handsomely rewarded by investors early Monday after FDA advisers surprisingly voted in favor of the accelerated approval path for the company’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy on Friday evening. 

Identifying 'gems' before others do: J&J exec gives insider's look at dealmaking spree

Whether it’s returning to CAR-Ts, swooping in to pick up a Parkinson’s asset from a sinking biotech or setting up a spinout company to pursue its neuroscience ambitions, Janssen has been busy in recent months.

Understanding Venture Debt Funding for Life Sciences Companies

Venture debt is a type of debt financing obtained by early and growth-stage companies and typically used as a complementary method to equity financing.

Gilead expands Arcus oncology pact into inflammatory disease, adding $1B in potential biobucks

Gilead is paying $35 million cash to expand an existing oncology partnership with Arcus Biosciences into inflammatory diseases, giving the biotech the chance to make up to $1 billion in biobucks.

Navigating uncertainty in modern clinical development

Developing a new life-saving drug or medical device is fraught with challenges. But while challenges often vary from program to program, one in particular is guaranteed: uncertainty. In this article, Dr Kim, CMO at Cytel, discusses the nature and consequences of the uncertainty challenge, as well as the options available to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies navigate it.

AstraZeneca, spying post-BCMA big bucks, pays $55M for ADC to join peers in hot cancer space

AstraZeneca’s search for antibody-drug conjugates has again led to Asia. This time around, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker is committing up to $55 million in upfront and near-term payments to secure global rights and join an intensifying race to offer options to patients who relapse after BCMA therapy.

New Eli Lilly-backed neurological disease biotech Nido unveils with $109M

Nido Biosciences is exiting stealth mode with $109 million in hand to develop new precision medicines for neurological diseases, with a lead asset that takes aim at Kennedy’s disease, a rare degenerative disorder.

Athenex files for bankruptcy, seeks buyer for natural killer cell therapy unit

Athenex has run out of road. With programs stumbling and cash running out, the drug developer has filed for bankruptcy and begun seeking buyers for its three businesses.

Human brain organoids in mice give first glimpse of microglia dysfunction in autism

Scientists have once again implanted human-derived organoids into mouse brains, in this case to study the brain’s immune cells in-depth for the first time.

Astellas' menopause drug crosses FDA finish line after costly delay

The decision came nearly three months after the drug's original FDA decision date.

Million-dollar claims on the rise in self-insured employer plans: report

Employers who self-insure are being hit by more million-dollar claims, according to a new report. Pricey injectables are a major factor.

Philips reaches $62M SEC settlement over alleged violations of anti-bribery law in China

For the second time in a decade, Philips has agreed to settle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over alleged misconduct in its international operations.

Pfizer, Seagen kick off antitrust review of $43B merger. Will FTC get on board?

Pfizer's $43 billion Seagen deal is now up for its high-stakes review at the FTC. The review comes after the agency said it would take a tougher stance toward biopharma megamergers.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don't miss an episode

'The Top Line': The final installment of a series on Narcan, plus this week's headlines

This week on "The Top Line," we're concluding our miniseries on Narcan the nasal spray. It is the first naloxone product to be approved for use without a prescription.
 

Resources

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ChatGPT in Drug Discovery: Rise of Large Language Models

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Discovering High-Affinity, Functional Anti-GLP-1R Antibodies

Learn how a GPCR-focused library with a cell-based biopanning strategy led to the discovery of 13 high-affinity and selective anti-GLP-1R antibodies with highly developable therapeutic properties.
eBook

Decentralized Clinical Trials: The Complete Guide for 2023

Discover a game-changing approach to clinical research with Hybrid and Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs). Learn about the benefits, challenges, and key elements for success.
Research

How Lilly’s Legal and Library Services Empower Teams Across the Drug Development Pipeline

What role do the Library and Legal teams play in the drug development pipeline at Lilly? An import one – find out how.

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Medical Affairs Metamorphosis VI: The Changing Face of Stakeholder Engagement

This paper focuses on stakeholder engagement and how Medical Affairs teams’ responsibilities, goals, tools, and techniques are changing.
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Maximizing Clinical Trial Success

Strategies for Optimal Site Selection and Feasibility Research in Novel Therapies and Geographies
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eConsent: Flexible Consent Through Enabling Technologies

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

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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
 

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