BioCryst discards bone disease program

Today's Big News

Nov 1, 2022

Pfizer's phase 3 maternal RSV vaccine trial hits at interim review, prompting early stop and race to FDA

Lilly powers through final stretch in critical Alzheimer's race

BioCryst leaves ultra-rare bone disease efforts in hands of Ipsen, Regeneron with discontinuation

Lilly gives up on $40M BCL-2 buy as part of latest pipeline cull

Pfizer discards eczema, NASH and breast cancer programs in early-phase clean-out

Arch-backed HI-Bio launches with 2 clinical-stage therapies from MorphoSys and $120M in cash

Newly refocused Unity's ophthalmology asset improves vision in phase 2

 

Featured

UPDATE: Pfizer's phase 3 maternal RSV vaccine trial hits at interim review, prompting early stop and race to FDA

Pfizer has halted a pivotal trial of its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine candidate early for efficacy, positioning it to file for approval by the end of the year. But with the study only meeting one of its two primary endpoints, the top-line result leaves scope to question how Pfizer will fare against AstraZeneca and Sanofi’s rival antibody.
 

Top Stories

Lilly powers through final stretch in critical Alzheimer's race

Lilly is exuding optimism as the race to develop a breakthrough Alzheimer's treatment hits the home stretch. The company is hoping to stay neck-and-neck with Eisai after the latter turned heads with its phase 3 lecanemab data.

BioCryst leaves ultra-rare bone disease efforts in hands of Ipsen, Regeneron with discontinuation

With compliments to its peer drugmakers developing other oral ALK-2 inhibitors, BioCryst is stepping back from the effort to produce a therapy for an ultra-rare bone disease—and keeping $100 million in its pocket for other priorities.

Lindsay Rosenwald’s Fortress Bio ‘Uniquely’ Positioned to Capitalize on Current Long Biotech Winter

With 9 marketed products and 20 clinical programs, Fortress Bio’s business model is designed to decrease risk and expense while creating a regular flow of value-creating events for shareholders.

Lilly gives up on $40M BCL-2 buy as part of latest pipeline cull

While Eli Lilly celebrated a “solid quarter” of earnings this morning, a look over the Big Pharma’s third-quarter presentation reveals that the company has quietly dumped two clinical-stage assets.

Executive Interviews at Fierce Biotech Summit 2022

Fierce Biotech sits down with biotech and drug development leaders as they discuss the latest breakthroughs and innovations driving the life sciences industry. These videos explore what's next for the biotech industry and how companies are delivering value to patients and customers in today's evolving healthcare landscape.

Pfizer discards eczema, NASH and breast cancer programs in early-phase clean-out

Pfizer has tossed out three R&D programs after sifting through the latest data on its early-phase pipeline, adding projects focused on atopic dermatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and breast cancer to its discard pile.

Arch-backed HI-Bio launches with 2 clinical-stage therapies from MorphoSys and $120M in cash

HI-Bio is hitting the scene with $120 million in cash and two clinical-stage assets from MorphoSys acquired in June. The company is developing a slate of precision therapies aimed at cellular drivers of immune-mediated diseases.

Newly refocused Unity's ophthalmology asset improves vision in phase 2

Unity Biotechnology seems to have gotten its crew together behind a common goal in ophthalmology, with the biotech announcing today that its treatment for diabetic macular edema improved vision in a mid-stage trial.

Autoreceptor absence fuels dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia

Generations of studying the root cause of schizophrenia have largely converged around a single theory: the “dopamine hypothesis,” which postulates that a combination of genetic susceptibility, substance abuse and environmental stress lead to too much dopamine signaling in the brain. Scientists now believe they've identified the mechanism that underlies the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Lilly pumps $50M into Purdue pact to study intrathecal and nanoparticle drug delivery

Eli Lilly is plowing a further $50 million into its research collaboration with Purdue University, signing up to work with its partner for another five years on challenges including intrathecal and nanoparticle drug delivery.

Drug shortages aren't going away any time soon, supply chain expert warns

Drug shortages aren’t going away any time soon, according to Bindiya Vakil, CEO of Resilinc, a California-based firm that helps companies from a variety of industries mitigate supply chain problems. While shortages of high-profile drugs such as Adderall and amoxicillin have garnered headlines recently, Vakil points to a recent FDA warning that has the potential for more far-reaching consequences.

Healthcare's federal lobbying spend grew 70% from 2000 to 2020, study finds

Healthcare lobbying increased from $358.2 million in 2000 to $713.6 million after adjusting for rising prices, researchers wrote in JAMA Health Forum. Pharmaceuticals/health product manufacturers and healthcare providers were responsible for most of the gains.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': What went down on Biogen's earnings call, AstraZeneca's prospects after its CTLA-4 approval

This week on “The Top Line,” we dig into rumors of a shaky relationship between Biogen and Eisai. We also chat about AZ’s ability to finally tout the approval of an asset that’s seen many failures over the years.
 

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