Layoffs hit 3 more biotechs
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Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Leaping forward: Bayer VC arm commits $1.4B to double investment pace through 2024

Leaps by Bayer, the investment arm of the Big Pharma, plans to more than double the pace of its investments through 2024 with another €1.3 billion for new ventures through 2024.

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Top Stories

Sage's phase 2 Alzheimer's drug shows signs of cognitive improvement—but there's a catch

Sage Therapeutics was mostly focussed on reviewing safety for its Alzheimer’s disease drug, but early data shows the therapy may also improve executive performance, learning and memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia—but there's a catch.

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Layoff surge hits 3 more biotech companies

Three more biotech companies have joined the unfortunate—but increasingly common—layoff trend, fueling the epic and growing wave of industry layoffs. With more than 30 layoffs tallied by Fierce Biotech, the overpopulated industry is being forced to cut down.

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Sponsored: How creative chemistry and collaboration synthesized a better drug strategy for Enterin

Reshaping the understanding of enteric nervous system (ENS) dysfunction and the progression of Parkinson’s, Pfizer CentreOne helped Enterin synthesize a better chemistry for its lead candidate.

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With 2023 launch in sight, Pharming shares pivotal data on ex-Novartis rare disease drug

Pharming thinks it has the data to support approval of its ex-Novartis rare disease drug. With a phase 2/3 trial of the PI3Kδ inhibitor hitting its co-primary endpoints, Pharming is preparing to file for approvals in the second quarter.

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Finch clips wings of hepatitis B program, hitting pause on clinical plan to focus on C. diff and autism

Finch Therapeutics has joined the ranks of biotechs that are narrowing their focus. With its lead program under clinical hold, the microbiome specialist has pulled out of a planned study in chronic hepatitis B.

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SAB vows to plow ahead with COVID-19 therapy after NIH drops out

SAB Biotherapeutics is hoping to continue work on its COVID-19 antibody treatment after the National Institutes of Health shut down a funded phase 3 clinical trial when the omicron wave slowed earlier this year.

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2 gene editing biotechs team up to improve on delivery with $45 upfront

Myeloid Therapeutics and Prime Medicine have signed an exclusive option and research collaboration to develop Myeloid’s RNA-based gene-editing technology, dubbed “RetroT." Prime is shelling out $45 million upfront for the opportunity.

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BD's Embecta diabetes spinoff leaves the nest as standalone billion-dollar company

No, it’s not an April Fool’s joke—BD officially bid farewell to its longstanding diabetes business on Friday, as the newly formed Embecta made its public debut on the Nasdaq.

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Sanofi's CDMO spinoff set for next month as new group targets 2022 revenues of €1B

When Sanofi unveiled plans to spin off its European active pharmaceutical ingredients unit back in early 2020, the world looked quite different. But more than two years and a global pandemic later, Sanofi is nearing the end of the spinoff process.

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House passes bill to cap insulin copays at $35 a month for Medicare, private plans

The House passed legislation Thursday to cap insulin costs at $35 a month for both Medicare and private plans, but it remains unclear whether the legislation would change in the Senate where a bipartisan effort is happening.

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Medsir teams with Goldman Sachs-backed Oncoclínicas for Latin American market

Spanish cancer services firm Medsir has set its sights on Latin America by forging a partnership with Brazilian oncology research chain Oncoclínicas.

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Merck, amid pneumococcal vaccine race with Pfizer, suffers FDA delay for key pediatric use

The FDA has extended its target date for approval of Merck's next-generation pneumococcal vaccine Vaxneuvance in kids by three months. Before it signs off the shot for kids ages 6 weeks through 17, the U.S. regulator wants to see additional analyses of data. The approval is key as Merck hopes to gain an edge over Pfizer in this important age group.

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Fierce Pharma Asia—FDA oncology czar on China PD-1 rebuff; US Senate's supply chain bill; Insilico's AI targets

FDA's oncology chief Richard Pazdur defends the agency's rejection of Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics' PD-1 inhibitor. U.S. lawmakers are working to reduce America's supply chain reliance on China. Insilico Medicine shows its artificial intelligence drug discovery engine works in age-related diseases. And more.

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Chutes & Ladders—John Mascola departs NIAID's Vaccine Research Center after 22 years

John Mascola is leaving the Vaccine Research Center—NIAID's R&D hub—after 22 years including nine as director. Former Merck CEO Ken Frazier is hopping onto Eikon's board, the third former exec from the Big Pharma to join the startup this year. Bone Therapeutics is losing four members of its C-suite after cutting 25% of its workforce in early March.

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Resources

Whitepaper: Oncology Market Outlook: Key Trends to Watch

What’s in store for the oncology market in 2022 and beyond? This paper looks at 5 trends driving the market.

Whitepaper: Uncovering the hidden value of quality in chemical supply

Learn how to position quality as a central component within your raw material sourcing strategies for the chemicals used throughout your workflows. Download the free whitepaper from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Industry Report: The Top Four Barriers to Successful KOL Engagement

Read why many MSLs are still challenged in developing integrated strategies to increase the volume of meaningful engagements. Download this industry report to find out what the top challenges are and suggestion strategies to solve them. Download now.

eBook: Leveraging Clinical Data for Study Success

The landscape of clinical trials has been permanently changed. Today's trials require sponsors to modernize their use of technology and data to adapt. This eBook provides an overview of how sponsors can empower trials with real-time performance data to improve study integrity, reduce risks, optimize patient safety, and increase trial success rates.

Whitepaper: Autologous CAR T-Cell Manufacturing: Semiautomatic, Closed, Modular Workflow

Learn how to navigate the top manufacturing challenges and achieve a seamless transition from discovery to clinical manufacturing across the CAR T-cell therapy workflow.

eBook: EMEA Regulatory Roadblocks around Decentralized Trials

Learn about ways to break down regulatory roadblocks and get closer to 100% clarity on regulatory positions to advance decentralized clinical trials in research.

Whitepaper: Top 5 Challenges Of Decentralized Clinical Trials And How To Overcome Them

How to overcome top challenges faced in decentralized trials.

Paid Marketplace: United Cargo: Providing comprehensive solutions for the most critical shipments

The United Cargo team has made a commitment to pharmaceutical and medical partners that we are equipped to support their vaccine transportation needs safely and effectively across our expansive global and domestic network. The safety and security of these commodities is our priority, and we are proud to be a trusted partner in these efforts. Download infographic now.

Whitepaper: Lipid-Based Drug Delivery System to Bring Poorly Soluble Drugs to Market

How can Lipid-Based Drug Delivery System help bring poorly soluble drugs to market?

Whitepaper: Versatility of Softgel Technology - Encapsulation of a Volatile Compound

Learn more about how the versatility of Softgel Technology helped a customer with a volatile compound.

Whitepaper: The Most Suitable Dosage Form Technologies for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations

What is the most suitable dosage form technology for the Oral Delivery of Lipid-Based Formulations?

Webinar: The Faster Path From Pre-Filled Syringe to Auto-Injector

Ypsomed and Catalent Biologics experts discuss strategies for integrated PFS manufacturing and auto-injector assembly to accelerate timelines and more in this webinar.

Whitepaper: Formulation Strategies When Transitioning From Vial to PFS

Learn how formulation development for a PFS affects manufacturing to drive the industry toward optimizing delivery of injectable products and, ultimately, improving patient care.

Events