Amgen’s $400M eczema bet pays off

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Today’s Big News

Sep 25, 2024

Merck's Keytruda-LAG-3 combo fails to tame tough colorectal cancer in phase 3


BioAge Labs aims to raise $180M from IPO, private placement to fund obesity trials


Amgen reports first phase 3 win for $400M eczema drug, but Dupixent rivalry doubts remain


Windtree’s cardiogenic shock med raises blood pressure in latest phase 2 win


OncoC4 founders take own science under their wing in new biotech merger


Orion to use Aitia’s ‘digital twins’ to identity potential new cancer drugs


Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '24: Genespire gathers $52M series B


New PicnicHealth service brings observational clinical trial research to the virtual world 

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

 

Featured

Merck's Keytruda-LAG-3 combo fails to tame tough colorectal cancer in phase 3

An attempt by Merck & Co. to unlock the microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer market has ended in failure. The drugmaker found a fixed-dose combination of Keytruda and an anti-LAG-3 antibody failed to improve overall survival, extending the wait for a checkpoint inhibitor that moves the needle in the indication.
 

Top Stories

BioAge Labs aims to raise $180M from IPO, private placement to fund obesity trials

BioAge Labs is eyeing about $180 million in initial proceeds from an IPO and a private placement, funds the metabolic-focused biotech will use to push its lead obesity prospect through the clinic.

Amgen reports first phase 3 win for $400M eczema drug, but Dupixent rivalry doubts remain

Amgen has shared the first phase 3 data on its $400 million eczema drug, linking the anti-OX40 antibody to significant improvements in symptoms. But, while the trial met its primary endpoint, the biotech still needs to make the case that there is a role for rocatinlimab in a market served by Dupixent.

The Future of Communication for Industry: Embracing AI and Human Connection

Courtney Walker of MMC and RxMosaic discusses the future of communication roles, emphasizing AI's impact and the growing importance of human connection. She also highlights strategies for rebuilding pharma's reputation, effective leadership communication, and engaging diverse audiences.

Windtree’s cardiogenic shock med raises blood pressure in latest phase 2 win

While Windtree Therapeutics has struggled to grow the financial roots needed to survive, a phase 2 win for the biotech’s lead asset will at least give the company encouragement to persevere.

OncoC4 founders take own science under their wing in new biotech merger

OncoC4 is taking AcroImmune—and its in-house clinical manufacturing capabilities—under its wing in an all-stock merger.

Orion to use Aitia’s ‘digital twins’ to identity potential new cancer drugs

Aitia’s so-called Gemini Digital Twins leverage multi-omic patient data, plus AI and simulations, to help identify potential new molecules and the patient groups most likely to benefit from them.

Fierce Biotech Fundraising Tracker '24: Genespire gathers $52M series B; Vicebio secures $100M

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

New PicnicHealth service brings observational clinical trial research to the virtual world

Health tech company PicnicHealth is launching a new program that lets researchers conduct clinical trials in cyberspace. Virtual Site is meant to help clinical trial sponsors conduct observational studies without the need for a physical location.

Clinical trial site network Headlands Research opens new location in El Paso, Texas

Headlands Research, a clinical trial site network with locations across the United States and Canada, is launching its newest site on the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas.

Citing enrollment challenges, Bristol Myers and 2seventy scrap Abecma trial in first-line myeloma

Bristol Myers Squibb’s CAR-T therapy Abecma has hit a major setback. Bristol and its partner 2seventy bio have decided to pull the plug on the phase 3 KarMMa-9 trial in first-line myeloma after struggling to enroll patients.

IntraBio muscles in on Zevra's turf after companies' back-to-back lysosomal storage disorder nods

While it was just last week that Zevra Therapeutics’ Miplyffa became the first FDA-approved treatment for the lysosomal storage disorder Niemann-Pick disease type C, IntraBio has already one-upped its rare disease rival.

Roche rolls out 12-virus diagnostic test in Europe

Roche said its new tech can track as many as 15 pathogens with a single kit and be run on existing instruments without hardware or software upgrades.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Recapping Digital Pharma East 2024

In this week's episode of "The Top Line," we’re recapping and discussing the major trends from Digitial Pharma East.
 

Resources

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Why Biotech Sponsors Need Outside Support: IRB, IBC, DMCs, and EACs

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HPV-based cervical cancer screening: Gaining insights in sample preference and cost-effectiveness.

Power non-invasive, self-sampling solutions using the Colli-Pee™️ first-void urine collection device. Learn more.
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Overcoming drug development hurdles with phase-appropriate technology transfers

Facing roadblocks in drug development? Uncover how phase-appropriate technology transfers can help you navigate challenges and speed up your journey to market.

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Building a “Best Practice” Commercial Organization in Biopharma

We interviewed dozens of biopharma leaders on the critical success factors for building a Best Practice commercial organization. This report shares what we learned.
 

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