Ocuphire and Opus Genetics merge in all-stock ophthalmology deal
The eye drop maker Ocuphire Pharma and startup Opus Genetics are merging in an all-stock deal, the companies told Endpoints News. Ocuphire $OCUP will acquire privately-held Opus and adopt its name, and...
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Sangamo to seek accelerated approval for Fabry gene therapy
Sangamo Therapeutics thinks it’s found a faster, earlier pathway to approval for its Fabry disease gene therapy. The biotech announced Tuesday that it plans to seek an accelerated approval from the FDA...
View ArticleRoche says it is undeterred by upcoming biosimilar threat to Vabysmo
Roche’s competition in the eye disease space is intensifying with Regeneron’s high-dose Eylea and a looming biosimilar challenge, but the Swiss pharma said its blockbuster eye drug Vabysmo is holding...
View ArticleMerck acquires Modifi Bio and brain cancer assets for $30M
Merck is acquiring a startup spun out of Yale called Modifi Bio, which has developed a suite of molecules against chemotherapy-resistant glioblastoma, a devastating and often deadly disease. Merck will...
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UK’s price watchdog says Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug is too costly for broad uptake
Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug Kisunla is likely to face an uphill uptake battle in the UK after its local cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE said it “cannot currently be considered good value for the...
View ArticleHouston startup March Biosciences raises $28M Series A to get CAR-T into Phase 2
A nimble Houston startup has raised a concise $28.4 million Series A to start a mid-stage trial. The company, named March Biosciences, will enter Phase 2 early next year with an autologous CAR-T cell...
View ArticleLife sciences investor Dimension targets $500M second fund
A venture capital firm that seeks to digitize the life sciences ecosystem has plans for a $500 million follow-up fund, according to a Tuesday SEC filing. The firm, Dimension Capital, debuted in January...
View ArticleRadiopharma biotech Alpha-9 Oncology closes $175M Series C fundraise
Another private radiopharmaceutical biotech has raised big money. Alpha-9 Oncology revealed on Wednesday that it’s put together a $175 million Series C, aiming to fund clinical trials for programs that...
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Alto Neuroscience's mid-stage trial misses primary endpoint in depression
Alto Neuroscience’s stock tumbled 60% on Wednesday morning, the day after the company said a mid-stage trial for its oral small molecule failed to improve symptoms of major depressive disorder. In the...
View ArticleEccogene gets $60M from AstraZeneca; Evotec also records milestone with BMS
Plus, news about DBV, Double Point Ventures and Lumos: Eccogene’s $60M milestone from AstraZeneca: The payment arrived after Eccogene met several milestones, including dosing the first patient in a...
View ArticleThermo Fisher predicts revenue uptick in 2025 as it expects headwinds to ease
Thermo Fisher told investors it is ready to shut the door on 2024, anticipating biotech funding to improve and lingering business insecurity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to dissipate in 2025....
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Obesity drug manufacturing deal shouldn't close, Roche CEO says
Antitrust regulators shouldn’t clear Novo Holdings’ planned acquisition of Catalent, Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker said Wednesday, adding to the pressure that industry competitors appear to be trying to...
View ArticleNovo Nordisk asks FDA to prohibit semaglutide compounding, following Eli Lilly
Novo Nordisk has asked the FDA to prohibit the compounding of semaglutide, ramping up the company’s fight against pharmacies distributing their own versions of the blockbuster weight loss and diabetes...
View ArticleFDA approves Pfizer's RSV vaccine for higher-risk adults
Americans as young as 18 with a chronic condition can now receive an RSV vaccine after Pfizer snagged expanded FDA approval this week. The shot, Abrysvo, is now approved for people 18 to 59 who are at...
View ArticleAdults 50 and up should get pneumococcal vaccine, CDC advisors say
More people are now advised to get a pneumococcal vaccine if they haven’t already, as CDC advisors recommended the shots for adults 50 and older who either haven’t gotten one or don’t remember if they...
View ArticleExclusive: Moldova clears first gene editing study for HBV in humans
Precision Biosciences has received clearance from regulators in the Eastern European country of Moldova to begin a human trial of a gene editor for chronic hepatitis B, marking the first such test in...
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GSK offers glimpse at RSV vaccine in at-risk younger adults before ACIP meeting
GSK is presenting its case for broader use of its RSV vaccine with new data from a pair of studies in younger adults with underlying medical conditions and who are immunocompromised. The data come as...
View ArticleNovo Nordisk petitions FDA to stop semaglutide compounding over safety risks
Novo Nordisk is continuing its crusade against compounded versions of its blockbuster weight loss drugs by petitioning the FDA to stop allowing such widespread manufacturing and use of a drug that’s...
View ArticleExclusive: University of Toronto spinout raises $53.5M to create new obesity...
A fusion of this year’s buzziest biotech trends — artificial intelligence and obesity drugs — is the focus of a new startup backed with $53.5 million from biotech investors Versant Ventures and DCVC...
View ArticleCRISPR therapy cuts hereditary angioedema by 81% in Phase 2 study
The promise of a one-and-done CRISPR infusion is beginning to look more real than ever. On Thursday, Intellia Therapeutics announced that an experimental gene editing therapy reduced dangerous and...
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