Finance Watch: With Limited Fundraising Options, Biotechs Restructure To Extend Cash Runways

A Closer Look At Recent Layoffs And Strategic Updates

Mereo will reduce its headcount by 40% to focus on its lead programs while NeuBase revealed a 60% workforce reduction to extend its cash runway. Also, Invivyd (formerly Adagio), Greenlight and BioMarin announced job cuts, while Otonomy and others planned strategic shifts. 

Finance Watch Image
• Source: Shutterstock

Bogged down by an ongoing spat with its largest shareholder and a share price that continues to flirt with penny stock territory, Mereo BioPharma Group plc announced an updated operating plan on 18 October that is designed to maximize shareholder value. The plan, which is meant to make Mereo’s £76m ($86m) in cash last into 2026, will focus the company’s resources on its two lead assets and results in a 40% reduction in headcount.

More from Strategy

Vertex Ends One Type 1 Diabetes Cell Therapy, Shifts Focus To Another

 
• By 

Seeking cell therapy approaches to cure type 1 diabetes, Vertex abandons a candidate encapsulated to avoid immune system detection but hopes to file another candidate for approval in 2026.

Corcept’s Relacorilant Shows Benefit In Ovarian Cancer, Expanding Pipeline Opportunity

 

A Phase III trial testing the cortisol modulator showed a benefit on PFS and OS in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

How Big Pharma Is Redefining, Scaling India GCCs Amid Tech Advances

 

Senior executives from AstraZeneca, BMS, Novo Nordisk, Takeda and Regeneron outline how big pharma's global capability centers (GCCs) in India are evolving beyond cost efficiency, focusing on innovation, “agile experimentation” and new technology including GenAI, virtual & augmented reality, with some positioned as COEs. Will Indian multinationals use the GCC approach?

Asia Deal Watch: Dr. Reddy’s Gets Regional Rights To Pair Of Bio-Thera Biosimilars

 

Plus deals involving GV20/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Kaken/Alumis, AstraZeneca/Alteogen and deal terminations involving Clover/Gavi Alliance and Rhythm/RareStone.

More from Business

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: Merck & Co. licenses Hengrui’s lipid lowerer; Novo gets United’s triple G obesity drug; J&J plans major US manufacturing investments; approval for GSK’s novel antibiotic; and a call for more aggressive Korean M&A activity.

Asia Deal Watch: Dr. Reddy’s Gets Regional Rights To Pair Of Bio-Thera Biosimilars

 

Plus deals involving GV20/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Kaken/Alumis, AstraZeneca/Alteogen and deal terminations involving Clover/Gavi Alliance and Rhythm/RareStone.

Novo Adds Lexicon’s Novel Obesity Drug To Deal Flurry

 

The obesity market leader has unveiled its second deal in days, paying $75m upfront for a potential first-in-class ACSL5 inhibitor, while the deal also provides some respite for Lexicon.