Roche’s expansion bid for Columvi denied by FDA

Today’s Big News

Jul 18, 2025

FDA mulls Elevidys market withdrawal following 3rd death after Sarepta gene therapy


Flagship's Sail Biomedicines sends staff packing for second time this year


FDA rejects Roche's Columvi in earlier diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, citing lackluster US data


Bristol Myers braves failed Reblozyl ph. 3, plans FDA talks for potential anemia expansion


'Hard to know what's going to happen': Big Pharmas put brave face on looming tariff threat

 

Featured

FDA mulls Elevidys market withdrawal following 3rd death after Sarepta gene therapy

Although Sarepta initially appeared to have avoided the worst possible outcome for Elevidys—market withdrawal—thanks to the gene therapy’s new black box warning, the FDA is signaling stronger misgivings about the approved drug amid a third patient death from an investigational treatment.
 

Top Stories

Flagship's Sail Biomedicines sends staff packing for 2nd time this year

Sail Biomedicines is shrinking its crew for the second time this year. The Flagship Pioneering-backed biotech is laying off about 36 employees as the company sharpens its focus on immunology, a company spokesperson confirmed to Fierce Biotech.

FDA rejects Roche's Columvi in earlier diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, citing lackluster US data

The other shoe has dropped for Roche’s bid to move Columvi into earlier treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the U.S. In a complete response letter, the FDA suggested that Roche's phase 3 Starglo data do not provide enough evidence to support the proposed indication in a U.S. population, according to the company.

Bristol Myers braves failed Reblozyl ph. 3, plans FDA talks for potential anemia expansion

With the Reblozyl flop, all four of the pivotal trials that have read out this year for BMS’ currently marketed drugs have turned up negative.

'Hard to know what's going to happen': Big Pharmas put brave face on looming tariff threat

The opening salvo of second-quarter earnings calls this week came against President Donald Trump’s renewed threat of a tariff on pharmaceuticals.

What's on neurologists' minds? Not drug names, survey shows

Neurologists think more in terms of drug class and indication than in brand names, according to a ZoomRx survey with implications for how marketers communicate with physicians.

Coronary AI diagnostic developer Heartflow files $100M IPO

The former Fierce Medtech Fierce 15 winner entered a placeholder goal of up to $100 million, though no pricing terms were disclosed.

Moderna, facing uncertain business environment, scraps plan to establish mRNA plant in Japan

The company attributed its decision to cancel its plans for an mRNA manufacturing plant in the country to "changes in the business environment both globally and in Japan."

Chutes & Ladders—Sarepta shakes up C-suite amid organization overhaul

Reeling from the deaths of two patients who took Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy Elevidys, Sarepta is launching a massive overhaul of its organization. The company’s chief customer officer Dallan Murray is headed out the door, to be replaced by Patrick Moss, formerly senior vice president of U.S. market access and sales and now chief commercial officer.

Fierce Pharma Asia—China biotech deal boom; Takeda's narcolepsy win; Sino Biopharm's LaNova buyout

Biotech deals involving assets developed in China are surging, a Jefferies report shows. Takeda is preparing its narcolepsy candidate oveporexton for an FDA filing after two positive phase 3 readouts. Merck & Co.'s PD-1xVEGF partner is being acquired. And more.
 
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In this episode of "The Top Line," we explore how pharma marketing is evolving—and what early-career professionals need to know to grow and stand out in a rapidly changing, highly regulated industry.

 

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How Will US Policy Impact the Growth of UK Biotech?

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