BIO

Scrip spoke with executives at artificial intelligence biotech firms and a big pharma company during the recent BIO conference about using AI in ways that add real value to drug development.

Biopharma executives and investors at the BIO convention noted the competition emerging from China with high-quality assets that could make strong additions to their portfolios.

Financial markets were expected to loosen up in 2025, but BIO convention attendees indicated that conditions have worsened this year, so public and private firms are making tough choices.

Scrip and Pink Sheet journalists reflect on the mood from Boston, the most important takeaways and what’s next for industry.

M&A may not be booming in 2025, but BIO convention attendees reported no shortage of potential deals, especially as cash-strapped drug developers seek funding alternatives.

In this week's episode: US policies in spotlight at BIO; Lilly’s Verve acquisition; UroGen’s bladder cancer approval; Ireland’s biopharma talent; and Korea proposes new AI R&D project.

Highlights from Day Four of the BIO International Convention include Woodcock offering practical advice on rare disease trials, the sorry state of dealmaking mid-year, Novartis discussing its approach to partnering, and Generate looking for funding to move into Phase III.

Highlights from Day 3 of the BIO International Convention include the realities of MFN pricing, AstraZeneca's R&D plans for obesity, the need for resources for FDA's rare disease hub and reactions to the Commissioner's National Priority Review Voucher program.

Highlights from Day Two of the BIO International Convention include BIO officials raising concerns about Trump Administration policies, the future of ACIP, an interview with BI's head of global business development, and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary's view of the FDA-industry relationship.

Highlights from day one of the BIO convention include advice for firms hoping to go public, a call for companies to push the US Congress on rare disease priority review vouchers, and updates on next-generation gene therapies.

Nauman Shah, head of business development for J&J Innovation, sat down at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference to talk about his trip to China and the state of the biotech scene there.

Sutro Biopharma CEO Bill Newell spoke with Scrip about the company’s novel platform, its goal of improving folate receptor alpha-driven ovarian cancer and its business development strategy.

Scrip spoke with Amgen’s senior VP of US business operations about the impact of drug pricing and reimbursement pressures coming from government policy changes and commercial payers.

Dollars spent on biopharma M&A so far in 2024 may not be as high as in 2023, but dealmakers say deal volume is robust with many factors influencing the overall value of transactions this year.

Private Company Edition: Scrip spoke with the leaders of Gateway Labs and Cure at the BIO International Convention about their mini ecosystems. Also, radiopharmaceutical firm ITM raised €188m ($201.9m), Santa Ana Bio emerged with $168m and Alzheon’s series E totaled $100m.

There is a lot of structural change going on at the German major but it is learning from the way its wholly owned subsidiaries such as AskBio and BlueRock are run.

With the urea cycle disorder treatment Olpruva launched and the NPC therapy arimoclomol closing in on US approval, Zevra is one to watch in the rare disease space.

Investors, advisors and companies that have raised cash recently insist funding is available and IPOs are possible for drug developers that can clearly outline future clinical milestones.

The France-based mid-sized drugmaker has solidified its pipeline through several external pacts in the past few years and its dealmaking is showing no signs of slowing down.

Insights from Day Four of the BIO International Convention include FDA commissioner Califf on the state of real-world evidence and how it impacts IRA negotiations, Roche's interest in cardiovascular/metabolic assets, Merck's plans in immunology, and industry's rising interest in neuropsychiatry.