Lilly lays out $660M for Prism discovery pact

Today’s Big News

Nov 29, 2023

Volatile day for CAR-T biotechs after FDA announces cancer safety review


After long journey, Karuna's schizophrenia drug gets FDA decision date


Lilly shines light on protein-protein interaction, inking backloaded $660M Prism drug discovery pact


Boehringer bets $509M on Phenomic’s tumor-targeting tech, as AI biotech plans for busy year


Jazz halts sleep disorder med trial over 'visual disturbances' and CV effects


Ascendis sells Japanese rights to Skytrofa and two other hormone drugs for $70M upfront


Generation Bio eliminates 40% of staff, including 2 C-suite execs, in pivot to ex-liver targets


BioVie blames protocol errors at trial sites for phase 3 Alzheimer’s drug fail as stock craters

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Featured

Volatile day for CAR-T biotechs after FDA announces cancer safety review

As if biotechs needed any more bad news, CAR-T therapy companies are trading down today on the news that the FDA will investigate the “serious risk” of subsequent, secondary cancers that can occur after treatment with the therapies.
 

Top Stories

After long journey, Karuna's schizophrenia drug gets FDA decision date

Karuna Therapeutics officially has its date with the FDA. The agency will decide on the approval of KarXT for schizophrenia by September 26, 2024.

Lilly shines light on protein-protein interaction, inking backloaded $660M Prism drug discovery pact

Eli Lilly has joined Prism BioLab’s stable of Big Pharma partners, striking a deal worth up to $660 million to collaborate on the discovery of oral inhibitors of protein-protein interaction targets.

Ethical, Regulatory, and Operational Considerations for Cell and Gene Therapy Research in Children

Pediatric CGT trials have the potential to cure diseases and prolong lives. Discover steps to protect safety and enhance operations in your CGT trials.

Boehringer bets $509M on Phenomic’s tumor-targeting tech, as AI biotech plans for busy year

Phenomic has inked its first partnership since emerging three years ago, signing a target identification pact with Boehringer Ingelheim worth more than $500 million.

Jazz halts sleep disorder med trial over 'visual disturbances' and CV effects

Jazz is pausing a phase 1-stage sleep disorder med after clocking concerning side effects in healthy volunteers. Executives emphasized they were not terminating the program outright but needed time to investigate.

Ascendis sells Japanese rights to Skytrofa and two other hormone drugs for $70M upfront

Ascendis Pharma has pocketed $70 million in exchange for the Japanese rights to the FDA-approved long-acting growth hormone Skytrofa and two other hormone drugs.

Generation Bio eliminates 40% of staff, including 2 C-suite execs, in pivot to ex-liver targets

Generation Bio is laying off 40% of its staff as part of an R&D pivot to extend the biotech’s cash runway into the second half of 2027. The layoffs, which will see the biotech's chief development and medical officers exit the building, are part of a pivot to targets beyond the liver.

BioVie blames protocol errors at trial sites for phase 3 Alzheimer’s drug fail as stock craters

BioVie has blamed "protocol deviations" at a number of clinical trial sites for the failure of a potential Alzheimer’s disease drug while claiming that the evaluable data still shows the candidate improves cognitive function.

Gilead cuts 7% of staff at Kite Pharma unit as 'refreshed business strategy' introduced

Gilead’s Kite Pharma cell therapy unit is undergoing a business review that will result in layoffs to about 7% of the organization’s workforce. In a letter sent to staff this week that was obtained by Fierce Biotech, Kite Pharma Executive Vice President Cindy Perettie previewed a “refreshed business strategy” that would better align the unit’s strategic priorities.

FDA investigates 'serious risk' of secondary cancer following CAR-T treatment

In a blow to CAR-T therapies, the FDA is investigating a “serious risk” of patients developing new cancers after treatment with these highly efficacious oncology drugs.

After sparking hundreds of complaints, FDA warns of Philips CPAP machines at risk of overheating

As Philips still scrambles to wrap up its 2021 recall of more than 5.5 million home ventilators, a new issue has cropped up among another swath of its CPAP machines.

Novocure lays off 200 workers in plan to shave $60M off expenses

As it awaits regulatory clearance for its Tumor Treating Fields technology in non-small cell lung cancer—and in the wake of the technology’s recent trial failure in ovarian disease—Novocure is narrowing its pipeline and its workforce to conserve funds.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Alzheimer’s breakthroughs, Leqembi's potential and what's next

This episode of "The Top Line" is dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease, spotlighting the latest treatments and what lies ahead. Fierce Pharma's Fraiser Kansteiner discusses Leqembi's full approval with Eisai's Alexander Scott. Annalee Armstrong from Fierce Biotech interviews Alzheimer's expert Howard Fillit, M.D., exploring groundbreaking research. Fierce Pharma’s Eric Sagonowsky speaks with Reisa Sperling, M.D., about Leqembi's potential in preventing Alzheimer’s progression before symptoms emerge.

 

Resources

Whitepaper

Accelerate drug discovery with high-performance computing (HPC) powered by the cloud

Accelerate drug discovery with high-performance computing (HPC) powered by the cloud
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Effective Technology Transfers for Mammalian-Derived Biologics

As a leader of technology transfer activities in the industry, Lonza understands the challenges associated with this critical step. Download this White Paper today to learn more. 

eBook

An Introduction to Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

Emulate in vivo biology with next-generation in vitro technology.
Whitepaper

Overcome Challenges and Secure Successful Technology Transfers of Complex Biological Products in Sterile Manufacturing

A critical area to consider in selecting a CDMO is their ability to successfully complete technology transfers, which involves an intricate set of activities and disciplines that, if done incorrectly, could result in delays and failures that impact the overall success of your end product. Recognizing what it takes to complete this process effectively and efficiently is crucial to selecting the best partner for your project and product needs. This white paper delivers an analysis of critical success factors for effective technology transfer.
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Enhance the cost-effectiveness of your GMP chemical supply chain

Learn how to develop a high-performing supply chain for cGMP chemicals used throughout your bioprocessing workflows.
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Plasmid DNA Design Considerations for Cell and Gene Therapy

Download our whitepaper to learn about plasmid DNA design considerations for cell and gene therapy applications.
Whitepaper

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare & Medical Affairs

This paper explores AI’s potential impact on healthcare and on Medical Affairs (MA) more specifically. It also outlines what MA teams can do now to proactively leverage AI to improve service to their stakeholders.
 

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