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Today’s Big News

Jul 16, 2024

Novo Holdings, J&J-backed Asceneuron raises $100M to take Alzheimer's asset into phase 2

Vertex mines for more gene editing riches with $15M Orum licensing deal

Sionna salvages AbbVie assets, teeing up dual combo assault on cystic fibrosis

Sotio taps Biocytogen to create bispecific ADCs in $326M deal

German biotech CatalYm cashes in on early-stage cancer data with $150M series D

Drug prevents COVID symptoms in mice by protecting mitochondria, without resistance risk

Featured

Novo Holdings, J&J-backed Asceneuron raises $100M to take Alzheimer's asset into phase 2

By James Waldron

With the first wave of Alzheimer’s disease drugs reaching the market, investors continue to seek out the next big advance in this red-hot area of neuroscience R&D.

Vertex mines for more gene editing riches with $15M Orum licensing deal

By Darren Incorvaia

Vertex struck gold with the licensing of CRISPR Therapeutics’ sickle cell gene editing therapy in 2017. With that med now approved as Casgevy, Vertex is looking to extend its claim in gene editing therapy through a small licensing deal with South Korea's Orum.

Sionna salvages AbbVie assets, teeing up dual combo assault on cystic fibrosis

By Nick Paul Taylor

Sionna Therapeutics has quickly found a use for some of its $182 million series C haul, inking a deal with AbbVie to add three clinical-phase candidates to its burgeoning pipeline of cystic fibrosis prospects.

Sotio taps Biocytogen to create bispecific ADCs in $326M deal

By Nick Paul Taylor

Sotio has struck a deal to fuse bispecifics with its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) capabilities, agreeing to pay Biocytogen up to $325.5 million in upfront and milestone fees for rights to targeting molecules.

German biotech CatalYm cashes in on early-stage cancer data with $150M series D

By Darren Incorvaia

On the heels of early-stage data for monoclonal antibody visugromab showing “impressive and lasting responses” among patients with difficult to treat cancers, CatalYm has secured a $150 million series D.

Drug prevents COVID symptoms in mice by protecting mitochondria, without resistance risk

By Helen Floersh

New findings in mice suggest it’s possible to prevent organ damage from COVID-19 with an antioxidant enzyme that protects the mitochondria—without the risk of resistance.

J&J, BMS and AstraZeneca strike back in appeals after IRA litigation losses

By Fraiser Kansteiner

Despite a string of high-profile losses this year, at least three major drugmakers continue to fight back against the Medicare price negotiations being rolled out under the Inflation Reduction Act.

FDA proposes cell and gene therapy site tours to help regulators learn from industry

By Fraiser Kansteiner

It's no secret that cell and gene therapies have faced manufacturing hurdles as the advanced medicines have become increasingly popular in recent years. Now, the FDA is proposing to work directly with industry through a series of facility tours that could enable both sides to learn something from each other.

Johnson & Johnson proposes $505M settlement with bankrupt talc miners

By Fraiser Kansteiner

As Johnson & Johson continues to attempt to Texas two-step its way around thousands of claims that its popular talcum powder-based products caused cancer, the drugmaker is putting up hundreds of millions of dollars to settle a longstanding dispute with a clutch of suppliers.

Lantheus acquires Alzheimer’s PET diagnostic developer Meilleur Technologies

By Conor Hale

Lantheus will get exclusive rights to Meilleur’s radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent, currently under development to highlight beta amyloid plaques in the brain.

German CDMO CordenPharma invests $981M to boost GLP-1 manufacturing capacity

By Kevin Dunleavy

CordenPharma will invest 900 million euros ($981 million) over the next three years to bolster its ability to manufacture GLP-1 products in Europe and the United States, the German CDMO said on Tuesday. It is the largest outlay ever for the 18-year-old company.

Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

A look at Big Pharma’s top-paid CEOs

In this week's episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma’s Eric Sagonowsky and Fraiser Kansteiner discuss Fierce’s annual special report, “Big Pharma's 10 highest-paid CEOs.”

The state of digital health investment in 2024

The best biopharma M&A deals

Resources

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2024 Life Sciences Industry Outlook

The definitive report on the state of our industry. Readers will gain an understanding of key indicators to monitor, future predictions, and guidance for investors and founders navigating the therapeutic enabling tools and services, healthtech and techbio sectors through 2024 and beyond.

The “Best Practice Organization” & Its Importance for Success in Today’s Biopharma Industry

In a complex industry like biopharma, being a “Best Practice Organization” (BPO) is essential to success. But what is a BPO & how do you build one? This eBook provides the answers.

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