Alimentary/Metabolic


Viking Rapidly Advancing Oral And Injectable VK2735 For Obesity

 
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In its Q2 update, Viking reported that Phase III trials of subcutaneous VK2735 are under way, and that it expects Phase II data for an oral formulation before year’s end.

Obesity Beyond GLP-1s: Amylins – The Next Frontier

 
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In this series of articles, we look at different mechanisms of actions beyond GLP-1s that could determine the obesity drug landscape in the coming years. First on our list – amylin receptor agonists, which analysts expect to grow into a $50bn market opportunity.

In Brief: Kezar Plots Lupus Revival For Zetomipzomib As FDA Lifts Hold On Hepatitis Trial

 
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The go-ahead to resume a trial for its only drug candidate, zetomipzomib, in hepatitis could give Kezar a glimmer of hope of reviving another halted study in lupus nephritis.

Kailera Eyes Global Obesity Market With Hengrui’s Phase III Dual Agonist

 
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With China’s Hengrui reporting successful Phase III data for its dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, licensee Kailera is readying plans to demonstrate better efficacy than current obesity drugs.

Anti-infective


Gilead’s Yeytuo, Lilly’s Kisunla Headline CHMP Positive Opinions

 

Yeytuo will have remaining challenges to PrEP to overcome, while Kisunla’s label reflects dosing titration data from a Phase IIIb study to mitigate ARIA-E.

Memo Therapeutics Plans BK Virus Therapy Phase III Despite Trial Miss

 
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Pointing to data that show a benefit in reducing viral load and the histological signs of the infection, Memo says its drug, potravitug, could become the first therapy to treat BK polyomavirus in kidney transplant recipients.

Moderna’s Spikevax Wins Pediatric Approval, But With Narrower Label

 

The approval for young children, consistent with the FDA’s new COVID-19 vaccine policy, restricts Spikevax to those with conditions putting them at higher risk.

Four Chinese Firms Snag Global First-In-Class Approvals In China

 

Four Chinese companies have won approvals in China, the first anywhere, for novel drugs for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and influenza A.

Anticancer


GSK’s Blenrep US Setback Could Go From Bad To Worse

 

With a US approval any time soon now looking unlikely, analysts are revising Blenrep’s peak sales guidance downwards.

Boehringer Ingelheim Expects Two Key Approvals In Second Half Of 2025

 

The privately held German pharma firm is hoping to bring a new generation of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer drugs to market but their commercial success is not yet a certainty.

Dispatch Uses ‘Flare’ To Send CAR-Ts To Solid Tumors

 

With $216m in initial funding, the newly launched company is aiming to develop a cell therapy-based universal immuno-oncology option for solid tumor indications.

After Gilead Deal, Hookipa Hangs Up Its Hat

 
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The Austrian firm is delisting from the NASDAQ and closing down.

Antiparasitic


Novartis Secures Approval For First Malaria Therapy for Babies

 
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Coartem Baby to be rolled out in eight African countries in the autumn.

Novartis Measures Malaria Success On Impact Rather Than Money

 
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The Swiss major’s global health chief Lutz Hegemann tells Scrip on a trip to Rwanda that being a profitable enterprise while helping to improve access to new and older therapies for those who need it most is the real measure of a successful business.

Tarsus Demonstrates Lotilaner’s Potential In Preventing Lyme Disease

 
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Lotilaner, the active ingredient in Tarsus’s Demodex blepharitis drug Xdemvy, showed significant ability to kill ticks in a small Phase IIa study. Analysts call the Lyme program a likely out-licensing opportunity for Tarsus.

Serum-Biocon Deal Sees COVID Reality Tweak Even As Oxford’s Malaria Vaccine Holds Promise

 
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Gains from its COVID-19 vaccine made Serum Institute’s founder the world’s richest healthcare billionaire. But the demand for boosters hasn’t materialized as expected, leading to a deal with Biocon being tweaked. Meanwhile, gains from India’s first indigenously-developed HPV vaccine and Oxford-partnered malaria vaccine seem imminent.

Blood and Clotting


BMS/Pfizer To Sell Discounted Eliquis Direct – And Other Drugmakers May Follow Suit

 

Analysts see the new strategy as a way to address pressure from the Trump administration’s most favored nation drug pricing proposals.

Hopes Rise For Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Access As 33 States Join CMS Program

 

CMS said that 33 US states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico had joined a program whereby the agency negotiates outcomes-based contracts on their behalf.

BioMarin’s Roctavian Continues to Shine In Hemophilia A Despite Commercial Woes

 

Roctavian shows durable bleed control and safety over five years, but high costs and access hurdles limit its commercial outlook.

Pfizer’s Hympavzi Poised For Broader Hemophilia Label

 

The drugmaker announced positive topline results for the drug in hemophilia A and B patients with inhibitors, on top of the existing approval for patients without inhibitors.

Cardiovascular


Boehringer Ingelheim Expects Two Key Approvals In Second Half Of 2025

 

The privately held German pharma firm is hoping to bring a new generation of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer drugs to market but their commercial success is not yet a certainty.

Novartis Upbeat Even With Entresto Expiry Looming

 
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Swiss major confident that new oncology drugs will fill revenue gap.

AstraZeneca’s Amyloidosis Drug Fails In Phase III But Subgroup Hopes Persist

 

Anselamimab was expected to complement Alexion's portfolio of amyloid therapies, but regulators will have to be convinced of its benefits to a patient subgroup in the CARES trial.

Bayer’s Kerendia Gains Blockbuster Indication For Heart Failure

 
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New US approval in heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction should add to Kerendia’s earning power on top of chronic kidney disease indication.