Asarina folds after failed outreach to 200 companies

Today’s Big News

Jul 24, 2024

Biogen, Sage fail midphase essential tremor trial, extending long wait for new option


Pfizer’s gene therapy offers alternative to 'burden' of regular infusions, but can it outlast Roctavian?


Tourette's biotech Asarina to wind down after outreach to 200 companies fails to produce a partner


Novartis hopes for better luck with bispecifics via $150M upfront Dren Bio deal 


AstraZeneca plants an EGFR tree with Pinetree deal worth $45M


Cancer-focused Actuate makes 2nd tweak to IPO plans in a week


The brain regions responsible for the placebo effect have been mapped in mice


Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024: Merck cuts up to 80 research jobs; MEI eyes 'reduction in force'


Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '24: Autobahn adds $100M Series C; Brenig brings in $65M

The Top Line Podcast: Don’t miss out on the newest episode. Listen now.

 

Featured

Biogen, Sage fail midphase essential tremor trial, extending long wait for new option

Sage Therapeutics and Biogen have extended the pharma industry’s multi-decade essential tremor losing streak. Three years after tolerability overshadowed efficacy, the partners have given up on SAGE-324 in the indication after failing to reduce tremors in a phase 2 trial designed to address their earlier problems.
 

Top Stories

Pfizer’s gene therapy offers alternative to 'burden' of regular infusions, but can it outlast Roctavian?

Three months after scoring FDA approval for its hemophilia B gene therapy, Pfizer has posted phase 3 data suggesting it may be able to pull off the same success with a different candidate in hemophilia A.

Tourette's biotech Asarina to wind down after outreach to 200 companies fails to produce a partner

After reaching out to more than 200 companies to partner a Tourette syndrome therapy that showed the ability to beat standard of care last year, Asarina Pharma has come up empty and will fold.

Cell and gene therapies: Navigating the cold chain revolution

How is the cold chain adapting to the cell and gene therapy boom? Emilio Frattaruolo, Vice President of Cell and Gene Therapies at CSafe, discusses the logistical challenges and innovations shaping the future of these revolutionary treatments.

Novartis hopes for better luck with bispecifics via $150M upfront Dren Bio deal

Novartis has had some bad luck with bispecific antibodies in the past, but judging by the pharma's latest deal it still has faith in the modality.

InMed’s INM-901 Demonstrates Potential as a Multi-factorial Approach to Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

InMed’s INM-901 Demonstrates Potential as a Multi-factorial Approach to Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

AstraZeneca plants an EGFR tree with Pinetree deal worth $45M

Pinetree Therapeutics will help AstraZeneca plant some trees in its pipeline with a new pact to develop a preclinical EGFR degrader worth $45 million upfront for the small biotech.

Cancer-focused Actuate makes 2nd tweak to IPO plans in a week

Actuate’s upcoming IPO may be on the smaller side in comparison to its biotech peers that have publicaly listed this year, but that hasn’t stopped the cancer-focused company from continuing to tweak its offering.

The brain regions responsible for the placebo effect have been mapped in mice

When it comes to developing new pain drugs, the placebo effect is a powerful but baffling force. Researchers have successfully mapped the neural circuits responsible for placebo pain relief in mice.

Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024: Merck cuts up to 80 research jobs; MEI eyes 'reduction in force'

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: Autobahn adds $100M Series C; Brenig brings in $65M

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

Ahead of adcomm, FDA pokes holes in AZ's perioperative lung cancer filing for Imfinzi

An FDA advisory committee will discuss AstraZeneca’s application for Imfinzi in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The agency is asking external experts to weigh in on whether a new trial is needed to determine the contributions of the therapy on either end of surgery.

PBMs defend business practices — but lawmakers aren’t convinced

A contentious hearing between PBM CEOs and the House Commitee on Oversight and Accountability reinforced recent federal angst toward pharmacy benefit managers, but little new ground was made.
 
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Former FTC director weighs in on Novo's $16.5B deal with Catalent

In February, Novo Holdings announced a $16.5 billion deal to acquire Catalent, and this week on "The Top Line," we explore the current state and implications of the proposed buyout.
 

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2024 Life Sciences Industry Outlook

The definitive report on the state of our industry.  Readers will gain an understanding of key indicators to monitor, future predictions, and guidance for investors and founders navigating the therapeutic enabling tools and services, healthtech and techbio sectors through 2024 and beyond.
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The “Best Practice Organization” & Its Importance for Success in Today’s Biopharma Industry

In a complex industry like biopharma, being a “Best Practice Organization” (BPO) is essential to success. But what is a BPO & how do you build one? This eBook provides the answers.
 

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On Helix

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

 

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