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In Novartis, Conatus Lands Experienced, Deep-Pocketed NASH Partner

 
• By Joseph Haas

Biotech gets $50m up front, up to $650m in milestones, significant royalties and the option to co-promote emricasan in NASH in the US. Novartis also may combine the caspase inhibitor with its Phase II FXR agonist.

The broad-based competition in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) took another turn Dec. 19, as Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. signed an option, collaboration and commercialization agreement with Novartis AG around its caspase inhibitor emricasan, currently in Phase IIb for both NASH cirrhosis and NASH fibrosis.

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In Brief: Sanofi Gains €10bn From Opella Sale

 
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Sanofi sold a 50% stake in consumer health unit Opella for €10bn, backing its shift to prescription drugs and funding a €5bn buyback.

Scrip M&A Podcast: Will FDA Staff Cuts Impact Biopharma Dealmaking?

 
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Attorneys Andrew Goodman and Alan Minsk, as well as Naya CEO Daniel Teper, discussed the ramifications of US FDA staff cuts on M&A activity with Scrip senior writer Joseph Haas.

Novartis Gains Further Renal Territory With Regulus Acquisition

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The San Diego biotech’s lead product candidate is an antisense oligonucleotide-based therapy slated to enter Phase III development in the third quarter.

GSK Chief Optimistic About BD Despite Volatile Environment

 
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Emma Walmsley tells Scrip that the "biotech market is under a certain degree of pressure," so reasonably priced deals are available.

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AstraZeneca COPD Drug Breztri Breezes Through Asthma Trials

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The triple therapy improves lung function in the Phase III KALOS and LOGOS studies

Transient FY26 For Syngene But Momentum In China +1 Projects

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

As biopharma derisks its business with China ‘rebalancing’ strategies, Syngene could convert majority of such pilots into full program contracts amid a challenging FY2025. The CRDMO also expects business discussions pertaining to a newly acquired US biologics site to mature into commercial opportunities.

Biogen’s Manufacturing Sites, Revenue Sources Protect It From Big Tariff Impact

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Biogen expects little impact from existing tariffs and any that may apply if the US exemption of pharma products is lifted, since 75% of its manufacturing is in the US and 55% of sales are ex-US.