The week in pharma: action, reaction and insight – week to November 3, 2023

By Barbara Obstoj-Cardwell. Editor

Research news last week included US biotech Sarepta Therapeutics releasing mixed top-line result for its gene therapy Elevidys in Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (DMD). On the licensing front, Eli Lilly entered into a collaboration with US biotech Beam Therapeutics to acquire the latter’s opt-in right to Verve Therapeutics’ editing program for cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, US ophthalmic drug specialist Aldeyra Therapeutics signed an option agreement with AbbVie for its dry eye disease candidate reproxalap. Also of note, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Pfizer’s Penbraya, the first pentavalent vaccine for meningococcal disease in adolescents.

Sarepta’s EMBARK NSAA miss was a trick, but FDA could have some treats