Food gurus tout the benefits of eating spinach and kale, but some people are better off leaving them on the plate. A molecule in these leafy greens contributes to hyperoxaluria, a condition characterized by kidney stones at first and serious organ damage later. Novome Biotechnologies is developing a gut microbiome treatment for hyperoxaluria. The company … Continue reading “Novome Lands $33M to Tweak a Gut Microbe Into a Metabolic Therapy”
Author: Frank Vinluan
Xconomy Editor Frank Vinluan is a business journalist with experience covering technology and life sciences. Based in Raleigh, he was a staff writer at the Triangle Business Journal covering technology, biotechnology and energy before joining MedCityNews.com as North Carolina bureau chief. Prior to moving to North Carolina’s Research Triangle in 2007 he held business reporting positions at The Des Moines Register and The Seattle Times.
Magenta’s Cooke Joins IFM Therapeutics as Chief Scientific Officer
IFM Therapeutics has appointed Michael Cooke to serve as its chief scientific officer, the same position he held most recently at Magenta Therapeutics. Before Magenta, Cooke was a founding scientist at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, where he held several positions. Last month, Boston-based IFM raised $55.5 million to launch its third … Continue reading “Magenta’s Cooke Joins IFM Therapeutics as Chief Scientific Officer”
Eli Lilly Veteran Enrique Conterno Named FibroGen CEO
Enrique Conterno, a 27-year veteran of Eli Lilly, has been appointed CEO of FibroGen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FGEN]]). He is also joining the San Francisco company’s board of directors. Conterno retired from Lilly last year, where he was most recently president of Lilly USA. In his new role Conterno takes over from Jim Schoeneck, FibroGen’s interim CEO … Continue reading “Eli Lilly Veteran Enrique Conterno Named FibroGen CEO”
Apellis Rare Blood Disease Drug Tops Alexion’s in Head-to-Head Test
Apellis Pharmaceuticals wants to offer patients who have an ultra-rare blood disease another treatment option. The drug developer Tuesday revealed late-stage clinical trial data suggesting its experimental therapy works better than a blockbuster Alexion Pharmaceuticals medicine that is currently the standard of care. The Apellis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:APLS]]) drug, pegcetacoplan, is in testing as a treatment … Continue reading “Apellis Rare Blood Disease Drug Tops Alexion’s in Head-to-Head Test”
Black Diamond Lines Up IPO as Lead Cancer Drug Nears Clinic
Cancer research is leading some companies to molecular targets that have eluded new medicines. Phase 1-ready biotech Black Diamond Therapeutics hopes its approach to such cancer targets leads it to the public markets. Black Diamond filed paperwork with securities regulators late Friday for an IPO. The Cambridge, MA-based firm set a $100 million goal for … Continue reading “Black Diamond Lines Up IPO as Lead Cancer Drug Nears Clinic”
Rhythm Pharma CEO Gottesdeiner to Step Down After FDA Filing
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RYTM]]) announced late Monday that president and CEO Keith Gottesdiener will step down from his executive roles and from the board of directors after the company submits its lead drug for FDA review. Gottesdiener has been Rhythm CEO and board member since 2011. A search for his successor is underway. Boston-based Rhythm’s … Continue reading “Rhythm Pharma CEO Gottesdeiner to Step Down After FDA Filing”
Merck Ramps Up KRAS Chase Through Licensing Deal With Taiho, Astex
The KRAS gene has become a hot target for cancer research for a growing number of drug developers. Merck, which is already testing a KRAS vaccine candidate, is now spreading its bets with a licensing deal for small molecule KRAS drugs being developed by two Otsuka Pharmaceutical subsidiaries. Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) is paying $25 million … Continue reading “Merck Ramps Up KRAS Chase Through Licensing Deal With Taiho, Astex”
Bio Roundup: FDA Approvals, Intrexon’s Shift, Melinta Bankruptcy & More
In the week leading up to Christmas, six drugs won FDA approvals. The decisions covered insomnia, migraine, and several different forms of cancer. The FDA’s final tally for the year totaled 48 new drug approvals. If you’re keeping score, that compares with 59 approvals in 2018 and 46 in 2017. Most of the nods went to … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: FDA Approvals, Intrexon’s Shift, Melinta Bankruptcy & More”
No More Fish or Fruit: Intrexon Turns SynBio Focus to Human Health
Intrexon has spent two decades designing and building DNA sequences for applications in healthcare, food, energy, and the environment. Going forward, the synthetic biology company will focus exclusively on human health under the name of a subsidiary whose lead cell therapies are now in early-stage clinical testing in cancer. Germantown, MD-based Intrexon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:XON]]) announced … Continue reading “No More Fish or Fruit: Intrexon Turns SynBio Focus to Human Health”
Takeda Pays Turnstone $120M to Start Alliance on Viral Cancer Therapies
[Updated 12/20/19, 2:51 p.m. See below.] Turnstone Biologics has yet to test its engineered viruses in cancer patients but Takeda Pharmaceutical sees enough promise in the technology to pay $120 million up front to start a partnership developing the biotech’s lead therapeutic candidate. The Takeda (NYSE: [[ticker:TAK]]) payment is a combination of cash, near-term milestones, … Continue reading “Takeda Pays Turnstone $120M to Start Alliance on Viral Cancer Therapies”
Zafgen’s Path Forward Is Reverse Merger With Chondrial Therapeutics
Zafgen stumbled in clinical trials testing its experimental therapies for metabolic diseases. Going forward, it will have a new name, new management, and a mitochondrial disorder drug from another company. Boston-based Zafgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ZFGN]]) has entered a merger agreement with Chondrial Therapeutics, a rare disease drug developer just entering the clinic. Chondrial shareholders will own … Continue reading “Zafgen’s Path Forward Is Reverse Merger With Chondrial Therapeutics”
Ipsen’s Meek Departs for CEO Role at Gene Therapy NewCo FerGene
Ipsen chief executive David Meek has resigned from the Paris-based pharmaceutical company to join FerGene as its CEO. Cambridge, MA-based FerGene was formed in November by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Blackstone Life Sciences, which pumped a combined $570 million into the new business. Operating as a subsidiary of Ferring, FerGene will handle US commercialization of nadofaragene … Continue reading “Ipsen’s Meek Departs for CEO Role at Gene Therapy NewCo FerGene”
Nimbus Therapeutics Taps Annie Chen to Lead Subsidiary
Nimbus Therapeutics has named Annie Chen to the role of president at its subsidiary, Nimbus Lakshmi. Chen is currently chief medical officer of Cambridge, MA-based Nimbus Therapeutics, and she will continue serving in that role. The company uses software to discover and design new drugs, some of which are developed by its subsidiaries. Nimbus Lakshmi … Continue reading “Nimbus Therapeutics Taps Annie Chen to Lead Subsidiary”
Palo Alto Health Names Dean Sawyer President & CEO
Dean Sawyer has joined Palo Alto Health Sciences as its president and CEO. He comes to the Kirkland, WA-based company from Rx-Precision, where he was CEO. Sawyer’s experience also includes positions at Sentrian and Frost Data Capital. Palo Alto Health markets Freespira, a digital therapeutic that has FDA clearance for treating symptoms of panic disorder, … Continue reading “Palo Alto Health Names Dean Sawyer President & CEO”
Triplet Therapeutics Unveils $59M to Try Hairpin Fix for Huntington’s
Huntington’s disease drug research has focused mainly on the genetic roots of the rare neurodegenerative disorder. Triplet Therapeutics is taking a different tack by targeting a DNA repair mechanism gone awry, an approach that CEO Nessan Bermingham says could offer a better way to treat that disease and potentially dozens of others. Cambridge, MA-based Triplet … Continue reading “Triplet Therapeutics Unveils $59M to Try Hairpin Fix for Huntington’s”
Axsome’s Depression Drug Meets Phase 3 Goals, FDA Filing Planned
An experimental Axsome Therapeutics drug has succeeded in improving depression symptoms in a late-stage study, and the company is now preparing to seek regulatory approval next year. Axsome (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AXSM]]) is testing its drug, AXS-05, as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The Phase 3 study enrolled 327 patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. … Continue reading “Axsome’s Depression Drug Meets Phase 3 Goals, FDA Filing Planned”
miRagen Promotes Diana Escolar to Chief Medical Officer
Diana Escolar has been appointed chief medical officer of miRagen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MGEN]]). Escolar joined the Boulder, CO, biotech in 2018 as senior vice president of clinical sciences. She will be taking on the duties of Paul Rubin, miRagen’s executive vice president of R&D. The company says Rubin will leave at the end of this … Continue reading “miRagen Promotes Diana Escolar to Chief Medical Officer”
Alector Appoints Suliman President & Chief Operating Officer
Shehnaaz Suliman has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Alector (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALEC]]). She joins the South San Francisco biotech from Theravance Biopharma, where she was senior vice president of corporate development and strategy. Her experience also includes positions at Genentech, Roche Partnering, and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]). Alector is developing drugs that target … Continue reading “Alector Appoints Suliman President & Chief Operating Officer”
Pyxis Oncology Names Sullivan CEO, Steinberg Remains on the Board
Pyxis Oncology has appointed Lara Sullivan to serve as its CEO. She is also joining the Boston company’s board of directors. Sullivan succeeds David Steinberg, Pyxis’s founding CEO and a general partner at Longwood Fund. Steinberg will remain on the company’s board as an independent director. Sullivan was most recently founder and president of Pfizer … Continue reading “Pyxis Oncology Names Sullivan CEO, Steinberg Remains on the Board”
Bio Roundup: Sarepta’s Approval, Merck M&A, Drug Price Bill & More
If you’re keeping track, FDA drug approvals have been on a tear in the past month with several decisions coming well ahead of their targeted dates. And then there’s Sarepta Therapeutics. Late Thursday, the FDA announced approval of the Cambridge, MA, biotech’s drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in patients who have a specific mutation. The … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Sarepta’s Approval, Merck M&A, Drug Price Bill & More”
miRagen Restructures to Focus on Fibrosis, Inks $20M Stock Deal
MicroRNA therapies developer miRagen Therapeutics is scaling back work on its most advanced cancer drug candidate and shifting resources to a compound being developed to treat fibrosis in the lungs. The pipeline shuffle will be accompanied by a corporate shakeup. Boulder, CO-based miRagen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MGEN]]) is also laying off some of its staff. The company … Continue reading “miRagen Restructures to Focus on Fibrosis, Inks $20M Stock Deal”
Amgen’s Osteoporosis Drug Wins European Nod, With a Heart Warning
An osteoporosis drug developed by Amgen now has marketing approval in Europe, but it carries a warning that the medicine can raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. Romosozumab (Evenity) treats postmenopausal woman who have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones, making them susceptible to fracture. The antibody drug, given as a monthly injection, was developed … Continue reading “Amgen’s Osteoporosis Drug Wins European Nod, With a Heart Warning”
Iterum’s Antibiotic for Super Bugs Falls Short in Phase 3, Shares Sink
Iterum Therapeutics’ bid to bring patients a new antibiotic that’s safer than currently available drugs has fallen short of the main efficacy goal of a late-stage clinical trial. But the company is pinning its hopes on another Phase 3 study that will report data early next year. Iterum (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ITRM]]) reported preliminary Phase 3 data … Continue reading “Iterum’s Antibiotic for Super Bugs Falls Short in Phase 3, Shares Sink”
Flexion Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer Neil Bodick to Retire
Neil Bodick, chief scientific officer of Flexion Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FLXN]]), will retire on Jan. 3. After co-founding the company in 2007, Bodick served as its chief medical officer. He became chief scientific officer in 2017 following FDA approval of the company’s extended-release formulation of triamcinolone acetonide (Zilretta), a treatment for knee pain. After retiring, Flexion … Continue reading “Flexion Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer Neil Bodick to Retire”
Replimune Taps Ex-Merrimack Exec for Chief Financial Officer Post
Replimune Group (NASDAQ: [[ticker:REPL]]) has appointed Jean Franchi to serve as chief financial officer, the same position she held most recently at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MACK]]). Franchi’s experience also includes positions at Genzyme, Dimension Therapeutics, and Good Start Genetics. Woburn, MA-based Replimune is developing oncolytic immune-gene therapies to treat cancer.
KalVista Pharma Eye Drug Partnered With Merck Flunks Phase 2 Test
A KalVista Pharmaceuticals eye drug at the center of a research collaboration with Merck has failed a mid-stage clinical trial. KalVista (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KALV]]) developed its drug, KVD001, to treat diabetic macular edema (DME), a complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. On Monday, Cambridge, MA-based KalVista said patients treated with the drug, given as … Continue reading “KalVista Pharma Eye Drug Partnered With Merck Flunks Phase 2 Test”
Perceptive Unveils New $210M Fund to Invest in Early-Stage Biotechs
Perceptive Advisors, an investment firm with a long track record of life science investing across all points of development, is now stepping up to pump money into companies at the earliest stages with a new $210 million venture capital fund. The Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund (PXV) is led by Chris Garabedian (pictured above, center), a … Continue reading “Perceptive Unveils New $210M Fund to Invest in Early-Stage Biotechs”
Merck Makes a Big Blood Cancer Bet With $2.7B Deal for ArQule
Merck is acquiring cancer drug developer ArQule for $2.7 billion, a cash deal that brings it a promising early-stage compound that could challenge a blockbuster leukemia drug from AbbVie. According to terms of the agreement announced Monday, a Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) subsidiary will pay $20 for each share of ArQule (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARQL]]), a 107 percent … Continue reading “Merck Makes a Big Blood Cancer Bet With $2.7B Deal for ArQule”
Duke’s Jacob Jacobsen Joins Evecxia as Chief Scientific Officer
Evecxia co-founder Jacob Jacobsen has been appointed to serve as the biotech’s chief scientific officer. Jacobsen was most recently a scientist in the Duke University lab of Marc Caron, another co-founder of Research Triangle Park, NC-based Evecxia. His industry experience includes positions at Lundbeck and NeuroSearch. Evecxia’s lead therapeutic candidate, EVX-101, is in development as … Continue reading “Duke’s Jacob Jacobsen Joins Evecxia as Chief Scientific Officer”
Akcea Therapeutics Appoints Alex Howarth Chief Operating Officer
Akcea Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKCA]]) has named Alex Howarth its new chief operating officer. He was most recently president at Lycera. His experience also includes positions at moksha8, Vitae Pharmaceuticals, and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]). Howarth joins Boston-based Akcea following a corporate shakeup in September that led to the departure of three executives. The rare disease drug … Continue reading “Akcea Therapeutics Appoints Alex Howarth Chief Operating Officer”
FDA Puts Partial Hold on Tests of Ipsen Drug Acquired in $1B Deal
Two clinical trials testing an Ipsen drug in rare connective tissue disorders have been placed on partial hold after safety concerns about chronic dosing of the compound emerged. The partial hold applies to patients under 14 years of age in Phase 2 and Phase 3 tests of the drug, palovarotene. But the Paris-based company, which … Continue reading “FDA Puts Partial Hold on Tests of Ipsen Drug Acquired in $1B Deal”
FDA Rejects Enzyvant’s Regenerative Therapy for Rare Immune Disorder
[Corrected 12:27 p.m. See below.] The FDA has rejected an experimental regenerative therapy that Enzyvant developed to restore immune system function in babies born with a rare disorder. The agency cited manufacturing issues, according to the company. Enzyvant received the notification, formally known as a complete response letter, on Wednesday, CEO Rachelle Jacques tells Xconomy. … Continue reading “FDA Rejects Enzyvant’s Regenerative Therapy for Rare Immune Disorder”
Sage Therapeutics Depression Drug Fails in Phase 3, Shares Fall 60%
An experimental Sage Therapeutics drug intended to alleviate depression symptoms quickly failed to beat a placebo in a pivotal study, the company reported Thursday. Cambridge, MA-based Sage (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SAGE]]) has been testing its drug, SAGE-217, as a treatment for the symptoms of major depressive disorder. Unlike many depression drugs, which need weeks to take effect … Continue reading “Sage Therapeutics Depression Drug Fails in Phase 3, Shares Fall 60%”
Nektar Therapeutics Names John Northcott Chief Commercial Officer
John Northcott has joined Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NKTR]]) in the newly created role of senior vice president and chief commercial officer. Northcott was most recently the chief commercial officer of AbbVie (NYSE: [[ticker:ABBV]]) subsidiary Pharmacyclics. His experience also includes positions at Roche’s Genentech unit, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LXRX]]), Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]), and Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]). … Continue reading “Nektar Therapeutics Names John Northcott Chief Commercial Officer”
Avrobio’s Gabriel Cohn Joins Homology as Chief Medical Officer
Homology Medicines (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FIXX]]) has appointed Gabriel Cohn to serve as its chief medical officer. Cohn was most recently vice president of clinical development at Avrobio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AVRO]]). His experience also includes positions at Shire, Baystate Medical Center, and the Tufts University School of Medicine. Homology, which is developing gene-editing medicines and gene therapies, raised … Continue reading “Avrobio’s Gabriel Cohn Joins Homology as Chief Medical Officer”
Roche Notches FDA Nod in Lung Cancer, Amps Up Competition With Merck
A Roche immunotherapy has won an additional FDA approval as a first-line treatment for non-small lung cancer, bolstering the product’s competitive stance versus one from Merck. The FDA approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for adults whose non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is metastatic, meaning it has spread, and does not have the EGFR or ALK genetic … Continue reading “Roche Notches FDA Nod in Lung Cancer, Amps Up Competition With Merck”
Veracyte Aims to Expand Diagnostics Reach With $50M NanoString Deal
[Updated 12/4/19, 4:01 p.m. ET. See below.] Veracyte, a company whose tests help physicians make treatment decisions, is adding technology from NanoString to the fold to expand its diagnostic capabilities. South San Francisco-based Veracyte (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VCYT]]) announced Tuesday that it has reached a deal for global rights to develop and commercialize diagnostics based on the … Continue reading “Veracyte Aims to Expand Diagnostics Reach With $50M NanoString Deal”
IFM’s Glick Becomes Executive Chairman, Seidel Promoted to CEO
Gary Glick, co-founder and CEO of IFM Therapeutics, is moving on from his executive role to become executive chairman of the company’s board of directors. To take his place, Boston-based IFM promoted Martin Seidel, the company’s vice president of research and development, to CEO. He is also joining the company’s board. The personnel changes came … Continue reading “IFM’s Glick Becomes Executive Chairman, Seidel Promoted to CEO”
Agenus Chief Technology Officer Alex Duncan to Depart in January
Alex Duncan, chief technology officer of Agenus (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AGEN]]) for nearly four years, is leaving on Jan. 2, the company disclosed in a securities filing Friday. No reason was given for Duncan’s departure. Lexington, MA-based Agenus develops cancer drugs. Last year, Agenus struck a $150 million deal with Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), which acquired global rights … Continue reading “Agenus Chief Technology Officer Alex Duncan to Depart in January”
IFM Lands $55.5M to Launch NewCo Quattro and Discovery Incubator
IFM Therapeutics has raised $55.5 million to launch its third drug subsidiary as well as an incubator, both of which are focused on developing new therapies for inflammatory diseases and cancers. Those endeavors will be led by a familiar face. Boston-based IFM has promoted its vice president of research and development, Martin Seidel, to become … Continue reading “IFM Lands $55.5M to Launch NewCo Quattro and Discovery Incubator”
Global Blood’s Sickle Cell Drug Wins FDA Approval Ahead of Schedule
The FDA on Monday approved a Global Blood Therapeutics treatment for sickle cell disease, three months before the agency’s decision was expected. Regulators evaluated the drug, voxelotor (Oxbryta), under a pathway that allows for a speedier review using less evidence than is typically required. This pathway is reserved for drugs that address an unmet medical … Continue reading “Global Blood’s Sickle Cell Drug Wins FDA Approval Ahead of Schedule”
Ferring and Blackstone Team Up to Fund Gene Therapy Firm With $570M
Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Blackstone Life Sciences have formed a new company to commercialize a bladder cancer gene therapy that is currently in late-stage clinical testing. The new company, FerGene, is a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical company Ferring, which is investing $170 million in the new unit. Blackstone has committed $400 million. In addition to US … Continue reading “Ferring and Blackstone Team Up to Fund Gene Therapy Firm With $570M”
Novartis to Acquire MedCo and FDA-Ready Cholesterol Drug for $9.7B
Novartis has agreed to acquire The Medicines Company for $9.7 billion, a cash deal that brings it a compound that is poised to become part of a new wave of cholesterol-lowering drugs. With the acquisition, Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]) aims to compete with two other next-generation cholesterol drugs now being marketed by Amgen … Continue reading “Novartis to Acquire MedCo and FDA-Ready Cholesterol Drug for $9.7B”
Kymera Promotes Nello Mainolfi to President & CEO
Kymera Therapeutics’ new leader comes from within. Nello Mainolfi, the company’s co-founder, president, and chief scientific officer, has been promoted to president and CEO. Mainolfi’s experience includes positions at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Atlas Venture, and Raze Therapeutics. He is succeeding former Kymera CEO Laurent Audoly, who announced in July that he would … Continue reading “Kymera Promotes Nello Mainolfi to President & CEO”
Immune-Onc Therapeutics Adds Paul Woodard and An Song to C-Suite
Paul Woodard has joined Immune-Onc Therapeutics as its chief medical officer. He comes to the Palo Alto, CA-based cancer immunotherapy developer from Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BLCM]]), where he was senior vice president of clinical and medical affairs. In other moves, Immune-Onc promoted An Song to chief scientific officer. Song was the company’s senior vice president … Continue reading “Immune-Onc Therapeutics Adds Paul Woodard and An Song to C-Suite”
Bio Roundup: So Long Celgene, RNAi’s Arrival, Pharma in 2020 & More
Bristol-Myers Squibb this week completed its acquisition of Celgene, a $74 billion deal that creates a pharmaceutical juggernaut. And all it took was the largest asset sale ever required by federal antitrust regulators. As the Federal Trade Commission reviewed Bristol’s (NYSE: [[ticker:BMS]]) deal to acquire Celgene, anti-inflammatory drug apremilast (Otezla) emerged as a sticking point. … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: So Long Celgene, RNAi’s Arrival, Pharma in 2020 & More”
Ex-Novartis Cell & Gene Therapy Exec Chou Joins Aruvant as CEO
William Chou has been appointed CEO of Aruvant Sciences. Chou was most recently a vice president and global disease lead for the Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]) cell and gene therapy unit. Before Novartis, he worked at Boston Consulting Group. Aruvant, which splits its operations between New York and Basel, Switzerland, is developing therapies for severe blood … Continue reading “Ex-Novartis Cell & Gene Therapy Exec Chou Joins Aruvant as CEO”
Relay Therapeutics Names Ben Wolf Chief Medical Officer
Relay Therapeutics has appointed Ben Wolf to serve as chief medical officer, the same position he held most recently at KSQ Therapeutics. His experience also includes positions at Blueprint Medicines (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BPMC]]), Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MACK]]), ImmunoGen, Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), and Genentech. Last year, Cambridge, MA-based Relay raised $400 million for its work developing cancer … Continue reading “Relay Therapeutics Names Ben Wolf Chief Medical Officer”
Alnylam Gets Quick FDA OK for Second RNAi Rare Disease Drug
[Updated 11/21/19, 10:05 a.m. See below.] An Alnylam Pharmaceuticals drug developed to treat a rare, inherited metabolic disorder won FDA approval on Wednesday, the second regulatory nod the company has received for a drug that turns off a gene to prevent it from causing disease. The FDA approved the Alynlam (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALNY]]) drug givosiran (Givlaari) … Continue reading “Alnylam Gets Quick FDA OK for Second RNAi Rare Disease Drug”
Inozyme Pharma Names Pedro Huertas Chief Medical Officer
Pedro Heurtas has joined Inozyme Pharma as chief medical officer, the same position he held most recently at Sentien Pharmaceuticals. His experience also includes positions at Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Genzyme, Shire, and Amicus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FOLD]]). In other moves, Boston-based Inozyme appointed Gus Khursigara its vice president of medical affairs and clinical operations, and Catherine Nestor … Continue reading “Inozyme Pharma Names Pedro Huertas Chief Medical Officer”