10 October 2024 Machine learning-enabled drug discovery and development company insitro has announced the execution of three strategic agreements with Eli Lilly.
Data from AstraZeneca’s BORA trial, a Phase III extension study of Fasenra (benralizumab), show the sustained efficacy of the therapy as an add-on maintenance treatment for certain severe eosinophilic asthma patients. 18 September 2018
A £14 million ($18 million) investment from Cancer Research UK will go towards the establishment of a new research center for biopharmaceuticals, based in London. 18 September 2018
Johnson & Johnson unit Actelion Pharmaceuticals has released data showing the first randomized controlled trial of Opsumit (macitentan) in portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) met its primary endpoint. 17 September 2018
Privately-held US biopharma firm Samumed has entered an exclusive license agreement for North American rights to its SM04646, being developed for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 17 September 2018
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults, making it the second anti- calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) treatment for migraine to be cleared for marketing. 15 September 2018
Belgium’s UCB is presenting new findings on Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), as well as on key plaque psoriasis candidate bimekizumab, at the ongoing 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. 14 September 2018
Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) has entered into an option agreement with Gene Therapy Research Institution (GTRI) for the exclusive negotiation of rights to global development and commercialization of the gene therapy program GT0001X for the treatment of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 14 September 2018
Data presented at the 27th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) in Paris, France, show that treatment with Kyntheum (brodalumab) for people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, was associated with a more rapid reduction in absolute Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores and a greater probability of achieving complete skin clearance in all body regions compared with ustekinumab. 14 September 2018
Approval of the immunotoxin Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk), a first-in-class medicine for hairy cell leukemia, marks first new treatment option for patients in over 20 years 14 September 2018
Osaka-based firms Shionogi and Rohto Pharmaceutical have agreed to work together on the Japanese development and possible future commercialization of ADR-001, a candidate for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. 14 September 2018
VistaGen Therapeutics), a biotech with a pipeline focused on antidepressants, has acquired a late-stage drug candidate from Pherin Pharmaceuticals with the goal of treating social anxiety disorder (SAD), which affects 15 million Americans. 13 September 2018
Bad news from Vital Therapies’ ongoing VTL-308 study has torpedoed the firm’s cell-based ELAD therapy, with the firm announcing on Wednesday that the trial had missed it primary endpoint. 13 September 2018
Shares in California’s Gilead Sciences jumped in pre-market trading on Wednesday, as the firm announced a deal with privately-held biotech Precision BioSciences to develop therapies for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). 13 September 2018
UK-based Oxford BioMedica is fitting out a new 84,000 square foot (7,800 square meter) facility in Oxford with new lab space, warehousing, QC laboratories, and office space. 13 September 2018
Based on its strong focus on the Asian market, French metabolic diseases biotech company Poxel has made another significant move to solidify its position, forming a fully-owned Japanese subsidiary, Poxel KK. 13 September 2018
German family-owned pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim has exercised its option to acquire all the share of EMBL Ventures’ portfolio company ViraTherapeutics, based in Innsbruck, Austria. 13 September 2018
RedHill Biopharma says that it recently concluded a positive end-of-phase II/pre-phase III (Type B) meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration discussing the clinical and regulatory pathway towards potential US approval of Bekinda (RHB-102) for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). 13 September 2018
Three patient advocacy groups in Europe are spearheading action against patents held by Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) related to its hepatitis C drug Sovaldi (sofosbuvir). 12 September 2018
Danish dermatology specialist Leo Pharma has revealed plans to cut 200 jobs, marking the company’s fourth workforce reduction since 2022. 11 October 2024
Booster Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of proteasome activator medicines to treat neurodegenerative and other diseases, has launched with the support of a $15 million financing. 11 October 2024
German cancer specialist Immatics has announced the pricing of its $150 million public offering, with Jefferies, BofA Securities, and Leerink acting as joint book runners. 11 October 2024
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Pfizer and BioNTech's latest COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty (KP.2). 11 October 2024
In what Astella Pharma calls “a landmark decision for advanced bladder cancer patients,” the Japanese drugmaker gained approval in the UK for its treatment regimen. 10 October 2024
Nanoscope Therapeutics says that, following a productive FDA meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its clinical program evaluating MCO-010 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the company will commence with submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) in the first quarter of 2025. 10 October 2024
US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson’s Tecvayli (teclistamab) has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first-line option to treat myeloma in England and Wales. 10 October 2024
China’s Quantum Pharmaceuticals has announced a significant licensing agreement between its biologics-focused subsidiary, Ailux Biologics, and Johnson & Johnson. 10 October 2024
USA-based Kezar Life Sciences announced this week that it was pausing its Phase IIb PALIZADE trial evaluating zetomipzomib in lupus nephritis (LN) following the deaths of four patients. 10 October 2024
Advances in gene editing, such as the FDA approval of Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) in December 2023 for the treatment of beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease, have fueled significant interest in innovative epigenetic drugs. 10 October 2024
Gene therapy start-up GEMMA Biotherapeutics (GEMMABio) has announced a significant partnership with Brazil's Fiocruz, a key supplier for the Brazilian Ministry of Health. 10 October 2024
California’s Arda Therapeutics, a biotech focused on targeted cell depletion therapies for chronic diseases, has announced the successful completion of a $43 million Series A financing round. 9 October 2024
Purespring Therapeutics, a gene therapy company focused on transforming the treatment of kidney diseases, has raised £80 million ($105 million) in a Series B financing. 9 October 2024