Akero’s NASH fail sends stock spinning

Today’s Big News

Oct 10, 2023

New Biogen research chief Grogan looks to apply biotechs’ scrappiness to a pharma in flux 


Novartis cuts depression study, nearly erasing $210M Cadent acquisition from pipeline   


Akero's stock sinks as midphase cirrhosis fail sparks flash NASH crash


Athersys inches closer to bankruptcy as stroke cell therapy fails interim analysis  


Sanofi pays $10M upfront in hope 'biological map of proteins' leads to drug discovery treasure


Immunic's investors appeased by interim biomarker data from phase 2 MS trial


Ventyx hits in phase 2, misses with investors amid comparisons to BMS, Pfizer in bowel disease

The Top Line Podcast: Don’t miss out on the newest episode. Listen now.

 

Featured

New Biogen research chief Grogan looks to apply biotechs’ scrappiness to a pharma in flux

Biogen's new research chief Jane Grogan is looking to bring her recent biotech chops to a Big Pharma that's recalibrating. Her appointment follows a summer marked by layoffs, restructuring and a big time acquisition.
 

Top Stories

Novartis cuts depression study, nearly erasing $210M Cadent acquisition from pipeline

Novartis rolled the dice in 2020 with a $210 upfront acquisition of long-time neuroscience partner Cadent Therapeutics. But the bet seems to have come up empty, as the Swiss pharma discontinues a mid-phase major depressive disorder program.

Akero's stock sinks as midphase cirrhosis fail sparks flash NASH crash

Akero Therapeutics’ nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) candidate has flunked a key test. The failure of FGF21 analog efruxifermin to significantly reduce fibrosis in cirrhotic NASH patients sent Akero’s stock tumbling—and caused fallout that dragged a rival’s share price down, too.

Changing the Pharmaceutical Commercialization Landscape

In a dynamic landscape, three emerging trends have the power to reshape the complexities of pharmaceutical commercialization.

Athersys inches closer to bankruptcy as stroke cell therapy fails interim analysis

After tweaking a phase 3 clinical trial for the ischemic stroke cell therapy MultiStem with the blessing of the FDA and moving forward with an enrollment goal of 300 patients, Athersys now reports that the sample size is insufficient to achieve the primary endpoint.

Modeling patient insights to make the most of clinical trials

Greg Lever, Director within the IQVIA Applied Data Science Center, reveals how modeling technology is being used to unlock value and enhance the experience of trial participants.

Sanofi pays $10M upfront in hope 'biological map of proteins' leads to drug discovery treasure

Sanofi’s ambition to become “the first pharma company powered by artificial intelligence at scale” came one step closer today in a deal with California’s BioMap worth over $1 billion in biobucks.

AnaptysBio announces top-line data showing rapid clearance of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare systemic skin disease

AnaptysBio announces top-line data showing rapid clearance of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare systemic skin disease

Immunic's investors appeased by interim biomarker data from phase 2 MS trial

Immunic Therapeutics’ decision to narrow its focus in the spring appears to be paying off, with investors reacting warmly to some early biomarker data from the biotech’s multiple sclerosis candidate.

Ventyx hits in phase 2, misses with investors amid comparisons to BMS, Pfizer in bowel disease

Investors are unimpressed by Ventyx Biosciences’ bid to challenge Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer for the ulcerative colitis market. While the phase 2 trial hit its primary endpoint, doubts about whether the drug candidate has an edge over the rival S1P1 modulators etrasimod and Zeposia sent Ventyx’s stock down.

Merck's Keytruda hits overall survival goal in early lung cancer as FDA decision nears

What doctors described as a “messy” treatment landscape in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer could get clearer thanks to a first-in-class overall survival win from Merck & Co.’s Keytruda.

The road ahead as FDA tries to tame lab-developed tests

ANAHEIM, California—At the MedTech Conference, an FDA official described the tasks ahead as the agency moves to increase its oversight of lab-developed tests.

Kaiser Permanente unions warn of another potential strike if no deal is reached by November

Days following a three-day strike of historic scale, the large nonprofit systems' unions say an even larger demonstration—about 78,000 workers—could kick off on Nov. 1 if the parties are unable to reach a deal.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': Opportunities, challenges and uncharted territory in pharma marketing

In this episode of "The Top Line," we delve into the uncharted territory that pharma marketers face, from harnessing AI's potential to navigating the Inflation Reduction Act.
 

Resources

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Cell and gene therapy development has exploded, with Q4 2022 showing more FDA approvals than over the past five years combined.[1]
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Improving yield and reproducibility with advanced sample prep

Learn how to get better results from suboptimal biospecimens for NGS and protein analysis.
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Ensuring a Reliable Biopharmaceutical Supply in the EU

Economic and regulatory factors are making biopharma supply chains more complex in the EU. This paper explores strategies that biopharma companies can use to better manage complexity, cost, and risk.
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Biology Informatics Solutions Brochure

From Assay Development Through Large Molecule Development. Streamline your R&D workflows and gain valuable insights with our Biology Solutions Brochure. Download now to discover how to control your laboratory workflows across various assay techniques, modalities, and data types.
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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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