LLMs meet CRISPR for AI gene-editing project

Today’s Big News

Apr 23, 2024

Novartis nominates former Bristol Myers CEO Giovanni Caforio as its new chair. Will M&A deals follow?


Sanofi pulls off phase 3 LUNA landing, sparking race to regulators for BTK inhibitor


Profluent combines LLMs and CRISPR for open-source gene editing project


Novartis 'actively' reviewing relationships with Chinese contractors amid US biosecurity crackdown: CFO


Incyte, fresh off gaining MorphoSys drug, buys Escient for $750M


Leqembi launch hamstrung by physicians' 'therapeutic nihilism'

 

Featured

Novartis nominates former Bristol Myers CEO Giovanni Caforio as its new chair. Will M&A deals follow?

Giovanni Caforio, M.D., is lining up a new gig soon after handing all his Bristol Myers Squibb leadership roles over in March. The recent Big Pharma CEO, known for steering the $74 billion acquisition of Celgene, has been proposed as the new chair at Novartis for 2025.
 

Top Stories

Sanofi pulls off phase 3 LUNA landing, sparking race to regulators for BTK inhibitor

Sanofi’s $3.7 billion Principia Biopharma buyout has delivered a phase 3 victory. The BTK inhibitor moved the needle in a clotting disorder, clearing Sanofi to file for approval of a “multi-indication blockbuster” that it predicts could contribute to more than 10 billion euros ($11 billion) of drug launch sales.

Profluent combines LLMs and CRISPR for open-source gene editing project

Profluent has staked a claim at the intersection of some of the buzziest terms in biopharma. The protein-focused AI startup believes its large language models can help extend the reach of CRISPR gene editing tools.

Novartis 'actively' reviewing relationships with Chinese contractors amid US biosecurity crackdown: CFO

As the BIOSECURE Act threatens to upend relationships with Chinese contractors and western biopharma companies operating in the U.S., Novartis has elected not to adopt a “wait and see” attitude.

Incyte, fresh off gaining MorphoSys drug, buys Escient for $750M

Incyte is dolloping another deal onto its 2024 partnership plate, buying San Diego-based Escient Pharmaceuticals for $750 million. 

Leqembi launch hamstrung by physicians' 'therapeutic nihilism'

Eisai has recently outlined a range of ways to kick-start Leqembi’s lackluster launch, from increasing the number of neurology account specialists to adding a subcutaneous option. But a Reuters report suggests the company faces a more fundamental problem: Physicians still see Alzheimer’s disease as untreatable.

FDA elevates Medtronic recall of SonarMed safety sensors for NICU ventilators

The FDA delivered a Class I recall label for the issue late last week, spanning 145 affected Covidien SonarMed monitors and hundreds of its sensor packages. Medtronic first notified users March 25.

Patrick Soon-Shiong's ImmunityBio bags FDA approval for Anktiva to challenge Merck in bladder cancer

After a merger and an FDA rejection, celebrity businessman and biotech entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong’s ImmunityBio has landed the company’s first U.S. approval in the cancer immunotherapy Anktiva.

Alpine's data room was the most exclusive club in biotech. Then Vertex became the VIP

After Alpine Immune Sciences presented initial data for the kidney disease therapy povetacicept at a conference in November 2023, the biotech's confidential data room became the most exclusive club in biotech.

'Like a homecoming': Inizio Evoke Comms welcomes back alum Stephanie DeViteri as North American president

After a short stint away from Inizio Evoke’s family of health marketing agencies, Stephanie DeViteri has returned to head up the North American branch of Inizio Evoke Comms.

BenevolentAI lays off 30% of staff, exits US site as funding gap looms

The cuts keep coming at BenevolentAI. Eleven months after restructuring, the AI-enabled drug developer is pulling another pivot, axing plans to launch software products, laying off another 30% of staff and closing its U.S. office.

Life sci consulting firm Santander launches with offer of commercial strategy guidance

There’s a new life-sciences-focused consulting firm in town. Founded by a duo with about half a century’s worth of experience in biopharma and medtech between them, Santander Pharma Consulting—no relation to the bank—stepped into the spotlight with a launch announcement Tuesday.

Pop a daily aspirin to prevent colorectal tumors? New research strengthens case

A new study adds to the case that long-term daily aspirin use may prevent colorectal tumors from developing or spreading in some patients, with potential implications for future drugs.

New kid on The Bloc: Ogilvy, McCann alum Basque joins as associate creative director

After kicking off a global expansion project last fall, independent healthcare agency The Bloc has been on a creative team hiring spree.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'The Top Line': Winning formulas for the best biotech and drug names

This week on "The Top Line," we are joined by Annalee Armstrong, Senior Editor at Fierce Biotech, and Ben Adams, Senior Editor of Fierce Pharma Marketing, to discuss Fierce's take on March Madness.
 

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Drug Development Boot Camp® VIRTUAL | Spring 2024

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