Roche, Roivant rumors are realized with $7B IBD buy

Today’s Big News

Oct 23, 2023

AstraZeneca-Daiichi get clarity on patient deaths for Enhertu follow up, survival data still unclear


BioNTech's new CAR-T manufacturing process boosts potency ...and side effects


Roche pays $7B to challenge Merck for bowel disease market, intensifying TL1A feeding frenzy


Verve's base editing hold lifted, starting a thaw on a regulatory blockade that sent peers ex-US


Cargo Therapeutics prepares IPO to carry CAR-T through phase 2 trials


Lilly wants to prove oncologist 'lore' with new breast cancer med, one study at a time


Merck's early KRAS data suggest combination-friendly safety 


Merck trims mushrooming ADC pipeline by pulling out of two preclinical Kelun programs


Responses to Merus' NRG1+ drug edge up as biotech plans 'high-quality dossier' for FDA next year


Ambrx's 'reset' arrives at the last line of prostate cancer, offering the kind of safety rarely seen


In 2nd big ADC deal of the day, GSK inks $2B-plus pact for Hansoh gynecology cancer asset

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

 

Featured

AstraZeneca-Daiichi get clarity on patient deaths for Enhertu follow up Dato-DXd, survival data still unclear

Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca finally have some clarity on the deaths that occurred in two phase 3 studies for their Enhertu follow up Dato-DXd. The gist of the safety update is that more patients in the lung cancer study experienced a key adverse event when taking Dato-DXd compared to breast cancer.

 

Top Stories

BioNTech's new CAR-T manufacturing process boosts potency ...and side effects

BioNTech’s new manufacturing process for CAR-T seems to have done the trick in boosting the potency of the solid tumor therapy BNT211, but that bit of extra juice seems to have upped the side effect profile as well.

Roche pays $7B to challenge Merck for bowel disease market, intensifying TL1A feeding frenzy

Roche really was lining up a $7 billion challenge to Merck & Co. Months after a media report about a potential deal, the Swiss drugmaker has agreed to pay Roivant and Pfizer $7.1 billion upfront for regional rights to a bowel disease candidate that is on the cusp of phase 3.

You Need to De-Risk Your Clinical Trials with Independent Experts

The FDA and EMA recommend EACs and DMCs be independent from sponsors and CROs. Our industry expert shares how and when to select the right EAC providers and more to de-risk your clinical trials.

Verve's base editing hold lifted, starting a thaw on a regulatory blockade that sent peers ex-US

A nearly year-long clinical hold on Verve Therapeutics’ base editing therapy meant to treat a genetic form of high cholesterol has been lifted in the U.S., thanks to data from an ongoing human trial elsewhere in the world and some preclinical work that has allayed the FDA’s concerns.

Cargo Therapeutics prepares IPO to carry CAR-T through phase 2 trials

If it wasn’t enough for Cargo Therapeutics to raise $200 million and recruit a C-suite of biopharma veterans so far this year, the CAR-T-focused company is now eying up an IPO.

Lilly wants to prove oncologist 'lore' with new breast cancer med, one study at a time

MADRID—If Eli Lilly could simply offer an oral option in place of Faslodex for breast cancer, Jacob Van Naarden would be happy. Early evidence shows that the Indianapolis-based pharma’s oral SERD may be able to do that.

Merck's early KRAS data suggest combination-friendly safety

Merck & Co. showcased early pharmacokinetic data from its KRAS G12C inhibitor MK-1084 at the European Society for Medical Oncology, suggesting the candidate may be able to find a way around some of the challenges that have troubled earlier entrants to the space.

Merck trims mushrooming ADC pipeline by pulling out of two preclinical Kelun programs

Merck & Co. is pruning its pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates. Days after Merck paid $4 billion for three Daiichi Sankyo assets, Kelun-Biotech has revealed the Big Pharma has decided (PDF) to pass on two of its preclinical ADCs.

Responses to Merus' NRG1+ drug edge up as biotech plans 'high-quality dossier' for FDA next year

Responses to Merus’ bispecific antibody in pancreatic and lung cancer are creeping higher with every data cut, giving CEO Bill Lundberg confidence that the dual American and Dutch biotech may someday be able to give a much-needed lifeline for one of the most difficult cancers out there.

Ambrx's 'reset' arrives at the last line of prostate cancer, offering the kind of safety rarely seen

When patients reached Ambrx Biopharma’s phase 1/2 clinical trial for prostate cancer, they were nearing the end of their treatment journey. CEO Daniel O’Connor and Chief Clinical Officer Sandra Aung don’t take that lightly.

In 2nd big ADC deal of the day, GSK inks $1.4B pact for Hansoh gynecology cancer asset

GSK is the latest to partake in a string of recent antibody-drug conjugate deals, dishing out $85 million cash and up to $1.4 billion in biobucks for Hansoh Pharma’s gynecologic cancer asset.

Novartis' booming Pluvicto posts mixed results in earlier prostate cancer

As Novartis aims to move its radiotherapy Pluvicto into an earlier treatment setting in prostate cancer, it has posted a mixed bag of trial data that cast a cloud of uncertainty over its regulatory path forward.

Philips recalls handful of hospital ventilators equipped with substandard power circuits

Once again, Philips has been hit with an FDA Class I label for a correction to certain of its respiratory support devices.

McConaughey brings leading man charm to SU2C cancer campaign, focusing on how R&D saves lives

Alright, alright, alright, Matthew McConaughey is lending his smooth Texan voice to a cancer awareness campaign. Working with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and Visit Myrtle Beach, the Oscar-winning actor has created a public service announcement to raise awareness of the importance of funding cancer research.

Rain in Spain doesn’t dampen spirits of 33,000 oncologists

ESMO attendees arrived in Madrid to torrential downpours Thursday evening, a gloomy atmosphere that did not reflect the overall excitement of an industry conference that promised to showcase breakthroughs in breast, lung and prostate cancer.

PicnicHealth picks up rare disease data collector AllStripes

Both companies have sought to build digital platforms with the ability to tap into patient communities and collect real-world information that could be useful to medical product designers and drug developers.
 
Fierce podcasts

Don’t miss an episode

Leqembi's full approval and the future of Alzheimer's treatment

In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce's Fraiser Kansteiner engages in a conversation with Alexander Scott, senior vice president of integrity at Eisai, to discuss the full approval of Leqembi and what it means for Eisai and, most importantly, for Alzheimer's patients.

 

Resources

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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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