| 05.29.24 | Biotech's cell therapy reckoning; Novo calls out pharma middlemen over GLP-1 pricing

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Today’s Big News

May 29, 2024

Biotech faces a reckoning: ‘We've lost our luster in cell therapies’

Novo attempts to parry Sanders' GLP-1 pricing complaints by calling out pharma middlemen

Amgen grabs FDA thumbs up for Soliris biosim, eyes 2025 launch

Merck & Co. sees clear vision to new ophthalmology assets with $3B EyeBio buy

J&J’s daily add-on pill improves depression and insomnia symptoms, acing phase 3

Nordson pens $800M deal for fluid-focused devicemaker Atrion

Webinar: New Solutions for Aseptic Filling for Gene Therapy

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | 11am ET / 8am PT

If you are a company developing gene therapies, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about containment and aseptic filling solutions – how to prepare for fill finish early and ensure products are ready to ship immediately upon approval, providing life-saving drugs to patients as quickly as possible. Register now.

Featured

Biotech faces a reckoning: ‘We've lost our luster in cell therapies’

By Annalee Armstrong

A Special Report from the Fierce Biotech team on the state of cell therapy.

Novo attempts to parry Sanders' GLP-1 pricing complaints by calling out pharma middlemen

By Fraiser Kansteiner

In a recent letter to the Senate HELP committee, Novo blamed so-called pharma middlemen for the steep costs of its diabetes and obesity blockbusters, Bloomberg reports. The company said it only keeps around 60% of the list price of Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S. after paying out rebates and fees to middlemen.

Amgen grabs FDA thumbs up for Soliris biosim, eyes 2025 launch

By Eric Sagonowsky

Amgen has made waves in the biosimilar field in recent years with its U.S.-first Humira biosim launch last year and its planned Stelara biosim rollout in 2025. But thanks to a new FDA approval, the company is nearing yet another biosimilar launch.

Merck & Co. sees clear vision to new ophthalmology assets with $3B EyeBio buy

By Annalee Armstrong

Merck & Co. is focusing in on eye diseases with the $3 billion acquisition of ophthalmology-focused Eyebiotech. The deal features $1.3 billion in cash up front and $1.7 billion in potential milestones.

Webinar: Process Perfect Peptide Synthesis Combines Peptide and Normal Chemistry

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 10am ET / 7am PT

Join us for a one-hour discussion on oral cyclic peptide drug development. Learn about key industry breakthroughs that demonstrate results. Register now!

J&J’s daily add-on pill improves depression and insomnia symptoms, acing phase 3

By Gabrielle Masson

Johnson & Johnson’s oral add-on drug significantly improved depressive symptoms and sleep outcomes in a phase 3 trial for patients who previously did not benefit from antidepressants alone.

Nordson pens $800M deal for fluid-focused devicemaker Atrion

By Conor Hale

Atrion’s main businesses include a variety of valves for infusions as well as systems for intentionally pausing the beating heart during cardiac procedures.

Neurocrine, a regular name on Wall Street’s M&A lists, elevates BD chief to succeed founder and CEO

By Angus Liu

Neurocrine Biosciences' dealmaking prospects may get another round of attention with the installment of a new CEO. The neuroscience company's three-decade veteran Kevin Gorman will soon hand the top job to long-time BD chief Kyle Gano.

Public-private collaboration aims to take ALS therapies beyond ‘a shot in the dark’

By Helen Floersh

Government agencies, nonprofits and dozens of biotechs have signed on to a $60 million, five-year partnership that will establish a central repository for data on ALS patients.

Evidence doesn't support FDA's use of surrogate markers for accelerated approvals: report

By Kevin Dunleavy

A recent report from the Yale School of Medicine and Emory University shows that there is little evidence backing the FDA's use of surrogate markers to determine if a medicine is fit for an accelerated approval.

Bristol Myers Squibb checks 'yes' on another Prothena neurodegenerative therapy

By Annalee Armstrong

Bristol Myers Squibb is again dipping into the well of therapies being developed by Prothena, this time for a neurodegenerative candidate about to slide into human testing.

Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

A look at telehealth's future and an omnichannel approach to care

This week on "Podnosis," Emma Beavins from Fierce Healthcare interviews CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Sree Chaguturu, M.D., to dive into the topic of telehealth and its role in a comprehensive approach to healthcare.

Automation, decentralization and the future of CAR-Ts: Advancements in cell & gene therapy manufacturing (Part III)

Hospitals grapple with generic drug supply shortages

From cell collection to commercial contracting: Advancements in cell & gene therapy manufacturing (Part II)

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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

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.