Business
INFOGRAPHIC: 2024 was a particularly quiet year for biopharma M&A, with no buyouts reaching the $5bn threshold, while alliance volume and valuations declined compared to 2023, as well.
Argenx has discontinued Vyvgart for the rare skin disease as other potential candidates linger in the very early stages of development.
Biogen will pay $165m up front for ex-North American rights to Stoke’s Phase III-ready Dravet syndrome candidate, an antisense drug offering disease-modifying potential.
The Swedish biotech has held positive talks with US regulators about the Phase III design for its pancreatic cancer candidate, mitazalimab. Now it needs to pin down a partner.
Two pharmaceutical companies reporting bumper sales in the hot areas of diabetes and obesity may have helped a thaw in sector sentiment.
In this week's episode: delayed take-off for M&A?; Bain to acquire Mitsubishi Tanabe; clinical trials to look out for; how to work with Trump; and mid-cap biopharma winners and losers.
Public Company Edition: Aardvark Therapeutics’ US IPO – the fifth of 2025 – will fund a Phase III trial in Prader-Willi syndrome and other studies. Also, Sarepta closed on a $600m revolving credit facility and Biogen entered into a funding agreement with Royalty Pharma for up to $250m.
The biotech disclosed that its norovirus vaccine program was under US FDA hold due to a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome, but said this would not affect timelines.
Having built its portfolio from university collaborations and targeted in-licensing, the UK firm now hopes to validate its business model with Phase II readouts in 2025.
The Swedish company is celebrating approval for the first treatment for MCT8 deficiency
President Trump's Executive Order creating the commission does not mention vaccines, which Kennedy has criticized.
Sales of spinal muscular atrophy drug Spinraza had an unexpected US boost in Q4 and Biogen may win US FDA approval for a high dose version this year, but Roche’s Evrysdi was just approved in a new tablet formulation.
CEO Mike Exton talked to Scrip about moving the company forward after a disappointingly disruptive 2024.
The founder and director of City Therapeutics and founding CEO of Alnylam discussed pressing issues facing the biotech sector in a fireside chat at the recent BIO CEO & Investor Conference.
Masked T-cell engagers are a buzzing field, and AbbVie’s investment has given Xilio some much-needed validation and cash as it goes up against rivals.
The Paris-headquartered group has been reflecting on a solid performance last year.
Nippon Shinyaku has revised upward its US sales forecast for DMD drug Viltepso, which has overcome multiple challenges in building its position in the US.
Private Company Edition: Abcuro’s series C venture capital round will fund its lead drug through pivotal results, filing with the US FDA and launch preparations. Also, AdvanCell completed a $112m series C round, Lutris Pharma raised $30m and Imvax closed a $29m financing.
As Biogen’s MS revenue continues its multi-year decline, the slow return to growth raises concerns about the company’s pipeline – but CEO Christopher Viehbacher said all is on track.
Patient demand for compounded versions of FDA-approved obesity drugs is unlikely to dissipate, even if semaglutide’s “shortage” status is resolved. The issue likely will continue to be a high-profile concern for the brand industry.