The week in pharma: action, reaction and insight – week to May 12, 2023

By Barbara Obstoj-Cardwell. Editor

US biopharma firm Insmed held a meeting with analysts last Monday, when it unveiled a new research platform in the area of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other diseases. Two M&A deals featured last week, first with US biotech major Gilead Sciences revealing the acquisition of XinThera, which will expand its early-stage oncology and inflammatory diseases portfolio. Also, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) announced it is acquiring US biotech CTI BioPharma, along with its hematology drug Vonjo, in order to expand its position in this rare disease sector. Meantime, US drugmaker Reata Pharmaceuticals reported a setback for its Friedreich’s ataxia drug Skyclarys with a New Drug Application (NDA) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase the drug substance specification for a process impurity observed above the current specification during process validation.

Insmed R&D day highlights next wave of differentiated programs in DMD and beyond