AI uncovers 28 new ALS targets
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Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Merck said to near $40B deal to buy Seagen. But will FTC rain on their parade?

Weeks after speculation surrounding a potential Merck acquisition of Seagen first surfaced, the two companies are now reportedly nearing a deal that could be the biopharma world’s largest since 2020—unless antitrust regulators intervene.

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Top Stories

'Potentially' infectious monkeypox viral loads detected on high-touch hospital room surfaces, study finds

While researchers were unable to say whether viral loads detected in patient rooms and adjoining anterooms could lead to infection, they underscored the need for hospital staff to follow recommended infection control and monkeypox protection measures.

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Legend scraps early stage CAR-T for lymphoma 6 weeks after clinical hold lifted

Legend has scrapped phase 1 plans for one of its early-stage CAR-T therapies six weeks after the FDA lifted a clinical hold on the trial. The move comes as the company is looking to prove it's not just a one-hit-wonder following the approval of Carvykti.

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Sponsored: Decentralized clinical trials, patient experience and the role of supply chain management

The rise of clinical trial complexity has been well-documented but the impact on logistics is not well understood. Here, we look at decentralized trials, patient experience and the role of logistics.

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Insilico Medicine's AI uncovers 28 new potential drug targets for ALS

Using its artificial intelligence programs, Insilico Medicine said it has identified more than a handful of previously untapped genomic targets that could provide avenues to new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and potentially rescue patients from the neurodegenerative effects of the disease better known as ALS.

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Amid drug pricing debate, feds reveal effort to crack down on 'incremental' patents

Watch out, pharma—the federal government has its eye on add-on drug patents that can lead to higher prices. In a new effort, the FDA and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office are teaming up to take a close look at patenting procedures.

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Senate Democrats zero in on AbbVie's tax strategy in attempt to roll back company-friendly measures from Trump era

A Senate Finance Committee report, authored by Democrats, has zeroed in on AbbVie’s tax shelter strategy, blaming provisions in a 2017 Republican-led tax law that have allowed pharma companies to slash their U.S. tax burdens. Instead of ponying up the going tax rate of 21% for U.S. companies, AbbVie is paying roughly half that by parking assets in subsidiaries in Bermuda and Puerto Rico, the report says.

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Adverum lays off 78 employees, bets it all on embattled eye treatment

Adverum Biotechnologies is slashing its workforce by nearly 40%, cutting 78 employees under a new restructuring plan that will funnel resources to ixo-vec, a wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treatment candidate.

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Teladoc adds medication delivery, in-home phlebotomy to primary care service Primary360

Teladoc is further building out its primary care offering, Primary360, with new services that enhance care coordination and grow in-home options.

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RefleXion takes on $125M loan ahead of FDA decision on radiotherapy tech

RefleXion Medical is all-in on its biology-guided radiotherapy system—so much so, in fact, that the startup has more than doubled its existing debt to prepare for the technology’s commercial launch.

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Intercept aims for another NASH try with new Ocaliva analysis. Will the FDA bite?

Two years after an FDA rejection for its potential NASH drug, Intercept Pharmaceuticals said it has the data the agency had asked for. But the new analysis isn’t exactly a home-run win.

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Dynacure calls it quits on top asset to the dismay of the myotubular myopathy community

Dynacure is winding down work on its top asset to treat myotubular and centronuclear myopathies, a decision that's made the team "overwhelmed with disappointment." The news came in a letter published by an advocacy and research organization focused on the rare diseases.

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CMMI finds implicit bias in 3 major payment models

An analysis of three value-based care payment models conducted by CMMI found that screening, risk adjustment and other tools contributed to an implicit racial bias.

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Calyxo hoovers up $32M for vacuum-assisted device to remove kidney stone fragments

The San Francisco-area startup has developed a device to remove residual kidney stone fragments immediately after laser lithotripsy procedures are used to break up the stones.

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Scientists explore 'mosaic' nanoparticles, inhaled COVID-19 vaccine options

Scientists are continuing to explore fresh ways to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations, including recent research into so-called mosaic nanoparticles and easy-to-store inhaled options.

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Resources

Executive Summary: Highly Potent API Drug Product Development and Manufacturing using Micronization Technology

Pharmaceutical drug developers continue to realize the strong therapeutic potential of highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs). This is particularly true for therapeutic areas such as oncology, where highly potent drugs are becoming more commonplace.

Case Study: Roche cuts feasibility process by 36%

Explore how Cognizant SIP helped Roche streamline its global feasibility process.

Executive Summary: Effective Scale-Up and Technology Transfer Strategies for Spray Dried Pharmaceutical Products

Pharmaceutical development companies face several challenges when developing orally bioavailable formulations of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Up to 70% of new drug molecules are poorly soluble in gastrointestinal fluids and can exhibit poor absorption across the gut wall.

eBook: 12 Pitfalls in Europe

For an emerging biopharma company, Europe can be very attractive. But it can also be complex and confusing. This e-book covers the 12 most common pitfalls for companies entering European markets for the first time, offering guidance to help growing companies avoid them and succeed.

eBook: Download the Cell Therapy Handbook

Explore the new cell therapy handbook from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Whitepaper: The Most Suitable Dosage Form Technologies for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations

What is the most suitable dosage form technology for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations?

Whitepaper: Jump Start for Biotech: New Lab Startup Guide

Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific The journey for starting or expanding a lab can be exhilarating, while also being challenging--learn how this free program provides savings and solutions to support your goals.

Article: Formulation Strategies When Transitioning From Vial to PFS

Learn how formulation development for a PFS affects manufacturing to drive the industry toward optimizing delivery of injectable products and, ultimately, improving patient care.

Whitepaper: Intranasal Drug Product Development: Formulation to Manufacturing

What are key considerations for intranasal delivery in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions?