Takeda bets $580M on AcuraStem's ALS target

Today’s Big News

Sep 26, 2023

Ionis' lipid-lowering drug hits phase 3 goal, raising hopes in untapped rare disease market


Roivant avoids autoimmune pipeline ‘crisis’ as next-gen FcRn inhibitor aces early biomarker test


Takeda snaps $580M for shot at pick 6 with AcuraStem's PIKFYVE ALS target


J&J inks pact with Singapore government to boost regional life sciences innovation


Pliant bends investors to its will, sending stock up with early evidence of efficacy in liver disease


AM-Pharma cuts staff, says goodbye to CEO as lead kidney injury asset redirected


Hydrogel formulation of HIV drug extends treatment longevity to 6 weeks in mice


Cancer charity doles out 7 grants to boost diversity in early-stage trials

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Featured

Ionis' lipid-lowering drug hits phase 3 goal, raising hopes in untapped rare disease market

Ionis’ phase 3 lipid-lowering clinical trial has hit its primary endpoint, positioning it to file for an approval that would set up its first independent commercial launch. The study linked the high dose to a significant reduction in triglyceride levels and a 100% drop in acute pancreatitis events compared to placebo.
 

Top Stories

Roivant's FcRn inhibitor avoids cholesterol problem, which clouded CEO Gline's first days in the gig

Roivant CEO Matt Gline learned just days into his new gig in 2021 that immunology offshoot Immunovant had a cholesterol problem with its lead asset. Now, the concern that sent him immediately spiraling into "crisis management mode" has come full circle, as a next-gen candidate nailed key biomarker figures in a phase 1 trial. 

Takeda snaps $580M for shot at pick 6 with AcuraStem's PIKFYVE ALS target

With scientific research this year continuing to point to the potential of the PIKFYVE enzyme as a target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Takeda has decided to join the team.

Using Predictive Intelligence to Uncover the Rare Disease Patient Journey

IPM.ai helps brands assess a unique patient population, accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and optimize commercial outcomes

J&J inks 'first of its kind' pact with Singapore government to boost regional life sciences innovation

Johnson & Johnson has inked a collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board to boost life sciences innovation in the region, touting the pact as the “first of its kind.”

Improving the Drug Development Process with Organ-Chips

An introduction to Organ-on-a-Chip technology and how it can improve the quality of drugs entering the clinic.

Pliant bends investors to its will, sending stock up with early evidence of efficacy in liver disease

Investors are swayed by Pliant Therapeutics’ data. The biotech posted early clinical evidence that its lead drug candidate reduces scarring and itching in a chronic liver disease, sending its share price up around 15%.

AM-Pharma cuts staff, says goodbye to CEO as lead kidney injury asset redirected

After failing in a phase 3 study for a severe kidney complication of sepsis, AM-Pharma is redirecting its lead program to a different kind of kidney damage.

Hydrogel formulation of HIV drug extends treatment longevity to 6 weeks in mice

Researchers have developed a new injectable hydrogel that maintains plasma concentrations of a common HIV drug, lamivudine—also known as 3TC—for six weeks in mice. Eventually, the scientists hope to add other HIV drugs given alongside 3TC to the same hydrogel, so they can all be administered at once. 

Cancer charity doles out 7 grants to boost diversity in early-stage trials

Stand Up To Cancer, also called SU2C, is handing out grants to seven community organizations across the U.S. in hopes of boosting diversity for early-stage cancer clinical trials.

J&J, IBM face class-action lawsuit over patient data breach

As if the talc product liability lawsuits weren’t enough headache for Johnson & Johnson, the New Jersey pharma is now facing another lawsuit from patients, this time about a recent data breach.

Catheter component maker Zeus sparks reports of an impending multibillion-dollar sale: Reuters

A storm may be brewing in the medtech industry, as manufacturer Zeus Company is reportedly planning to bring the thunder in a sale to a new owner.

Has Merck's Lagevrio fueled evolution of COVID variants? Researchers say it's possible

As coronavirus concerns increase with the changing of the seasons, the most commonly used oral antiviral treatments are in the spotlight once again.

Black patients more often restrained by ED staff, meta-analysis finds

The disproportionate frequency of physical restraints puts Black patients at risk of physical and mental adverse harm, researchers said while advocating increased investigation into any potential role individual, institutional and structural mechanisms of racism may play in the trend.
 
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In this episode of "The Top Line," we shine a spotlight on some of the most promising companies in the biotech world and do a deep dive into drug commercialization strategies.

 

Resources

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Real-world data: The new growth guide for biotech and pharma in 2023

As the field of real-world data and evidence is constantly evolving, it can be hard to keep-up with best practices. Do you know the definitive characteristics of a high-quality dataset? What questions to ask if you decide to outsource your research to consultants? Here’s everything you need to know in one, must-have guide.

eBook

An Introduction to Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

Emulate in vivo biology with next-generation in vitro technology.
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Five ways to get the most from your lab and manufacturing facilities

Learn more about how you can improve the productivity of your research and manufacturing operations and accelerate the journey from laboratory to saving lives.

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Unlock potential in buffer preparation

Learn how outsourcing the buffer preparation can reallocate resources to support core activities of your bioprocess production.
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What Are the Benefits of Generative AI for Pharma?

From trial site feasibility and patient populations to data analysis, generative AI has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery and clinical trial recruitment at both the therapeutic area and indication level.
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Discovering High-Affinity, Functional Anti-GLP-1R Antibodies

Learn how a GPCR-focused library with a cell-based biopanning strategy led to the discovery of 13 high-affinity and selective anti-GLP-1R antibodies with highly developable therapeutic properties.

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Transitioning from using RUO to cGMP chemicals for clinical trials

By 2030, the global demand for biologics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% and the challenges, risks, and costs of bringing large molecule products to market are growing exponentially.

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Biotech in the UK: Mapping the Runway to Success

15 biotech executives from the Cambridge area discuss the current biotech landscape, as well as challenges, opportunities, and best practices for emerging biotech companies seeking success in the UK and beyond.
 

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