Ligand Pharmaceuticals is adding neurological disease and cystic fibrosis programs to its pipeline through a deal to acquire assets from drug discovery company Icagen. San Diego-based Ligand (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LGND]]) is paying $15 million up front for the “core assets” of Icagen’s Durham, NC operations. The neuroscience program is being developed under a partnership with Roche … Continue reading “Ligand’s Icagen Deal Brings Neuro, CF Assets Plus Partnering Potential”
Category: San Diego
Pfizer Veteran Abraham Joins Vividion as Chief Scientific Officer
Vividion Therapeutics has appointed Robert Abraham to serve as its chief scientific officer. He joins the San Diego-based drug developer after 10 years at Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]), where he was most recently senior vice president and group head, oncology research and development. He came to Pfizer through its 2009 acquisition of Wyeth. Vividion is developing … Continue reading “Pfizer Veteran Abraham Joins Vividion as Chief Scientific Officer”
Two Big Pharma Alliances End in Nixed Deals. Here’s What Happened.
Pfizer and Merck are each cutting ties with a smaller clinical-stage biotech after experimental drugs being developed under separate alliances fell short in human testing. Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) is walking away from a partnership with GlycoMimetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GLYC]]) a Rockville, MD-based company developing drugs for diseases where carbohydrates play a role. In 2011, Pfizer paid … Continue reading “Two Big Pharma Alliances End in Nixed Deals. Here’s What Happened.”
Eli Lilly, Roche Drugs Fail to Move Needle in Genetically Driven Alzheimer’s
Two experimental drugs from Eli Lilly and Roche have failed a clinical trial testing them as treatments for a form of Alzheimer’s disease caused by certain genetic mutations, the companies reported Monday. The study, sponsored by Washington University, tested the drugs in patients who have an early onset, inherited form of Alzheimer’s called autosomal dominant. … Continue reading “Eli Lilly, Roche Drugs Fail to Move Needle in Genetically Driven Alzheimer’s”
Bio Roundup: POTUS on Prices, a16z’s Fund, Aimmune’s Approval & More
The president’s State of the Union address was wide-ranging, as they tend to be, but those who tuned in heard mention of two hot health policy topics: price transparency and drug pricing reform. President Trump asserted that an executive order he signed last year directing various federal agencies to come up with new rules requiring … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: POTUS on Prices, a16z’s Fund, Aimmune’s Approval & More”
Scripps Research’s Calibr to Test “Switchable” CAR-T in Clinical Trial
Scripps Research is charting new territory with its Calibr division, a drug discovery and drug development group within the research institute that is advancing its own experimental treatments. This week Calibr announced it had received the agency’s go-ahead to move a CAR-T cell therapy it has been evaluating for the treatment of certain blood cancers, … Continue reading “Scripps Research’s Calibr to Test “Switchable” CAR-T in Clinical Trial”
Early Bird Sale Ending for San Diego’s Xcelerating Life Sciences Conference
This is the last week to register at the lowest rate for March 18’s Xcelerating Life Sciences: Biomedical Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine & Genomics conference at the Takeda Research facility in San Diego. Hurry, our $99 early bird sale ends this Friday, Feb. 7 at midnight. Join Xconomy as we explore how the investment paradigm … Continue reading “Early Bird Sale Ending for San Diego’s Xcelerating Life Sciences Conference”
Epirium Bio Names BioMarin’s Somaratne Its Chief Medical Officer
Epirium Bio, which recently raised $85 million to develop new drugs for disorders associated with mitochondrial depletion, appointed Ransi Somaratne as its chief medical officer. Somaratne was most recently core team leader for the BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BMRN]]) hemophilia A gene therapy program, where he led the group that has asked the FDA to review … Continue reading “Epirium Bio Names BioMarin’s Somaratne Its Chief Medical Officer”
Aimmune Awarded First FDA Approval for a Peanut Allergy Therapy
An Aimmune Therapeutics drug developed to treat peanut allergy won FDA approval late Friday—the first time the agency has approved an oral immunotherapy for a food allergy. The Aimmune (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AIMT]]) drug, Palforzia, was developed to desensitize patients to peanuts. The FDA decision covers patients between the ages of 4 and 17 who have a … Continue reading “Aimmune Awarded First FDA Approval for a Peanut Allergy Therapy”
Arcutis Bio Raises $159M in Upsized IPO to Test Skin Disease Drugs
Arcutis Biotherapeutics raised about $159 million from its IPO, offering 1.6 million more shares than anticipated and pricing at the high end of its planned range. The Westlake Village, CA-based biotech sold about 9.4 million of its shares at $17 apiece. Arcutis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARQT]]) shares began trading Friday. The stock price closed at $21.80, up … Continue reading “Arcutis Bio Raises $159M in Upsized IPO to Test Skin Disease Drugs”
Bio Roundup: Mammoth Moves, Black Diamond’s Pop, Ohana’s Debut & More
If this week is any indication, the steady march of life science companies to Wall Street will continue in 2020. Black Diamond Therapeutics is leading the way, having raised $201 million from its IPO. In its first day of trading, the cancer drug developer watched its shares soar more than 108 percent. Black Diamond’s stock … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Mammoth Moves, Black Diamond’s Pop, Ohana’s Debut & More”
BIO Report: More Work Needed to Improve Diversity at Biotech Firms
Some companies that belong to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), a large industry trade group, convene diverse hiring committees, seek out representation among their suppliers and vendors, and are led by executives that talk regularly about the importance of an inclusive workforce. Others have no women or people of color as employees, gather no data … Continue reading “BIO Report: More Work Needed to Improve Diversity at Biotech Firms”
Agenda and Speakers Announced for Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego
The initial agenda and speaker lineup is now available for San Diego’s Xcelerating Life Sciences event on March 18 at Takeda Research in California. Join Xconomy as we bring together local innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore bold new ideas in healthcare – and make the impactful connections. Agenda topics include Successful Research & Development … Continue reading “Agenda and Speakers Announced for Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego”
Histogen, Timber Pharma Plan Reverse Mergers to Join Public Markets
Two privately held biotechs on Tuesday announced plans for reverse mergers, transactions that provide a faster route to go public than a conventional IPO and also give struggling public companies a chance to recoup some value for their shareholders. San Diego regenerative medicine company Histogen announced an agreement to gain a Nasdaq listing through a … Continue reading “Histogen, Timber Pharma Plan Reverse Mergers to Join Public Markets”
Third Time’s the Charm as Acceleron Drug Shows Early Promise in PAH
Sotatercept was one of the first compounds to emerge from the labs of Acceleron Pharma, but it became a forgotten piece of the company’s pipeline. Passed over as a candidate to treat a rare blood disorder and stalled in tests in chronic kidney disease, little was expected of the drug. The drug’s prospects have changed … Continue reading “Third Time’s the Charm as Acceleron Drug Shows Early Promise in PAH”
BioIntelliSense Debuts “Sticker” Sensor to Capture Patient Data Remotely
Subtle changes can presage a worsening of a chronic condition, but symptoms may not become apparent to a patient until it’s time to call an ambulance. BioIntelliSense, a Denver-based digital health startup, has developed a wearable sensor meant to monitor patients’ vital signs remotely and provide near real-time data that clinicians can use to identify … Continue reading “BioIntelliSense Debuts “Sticker” Sensor to Capture Patient Data Remotely”
Advanced Therapies Are Reshaping Biopharma R&D: KPMG Report
Biopharmaceutical companies focused on advanced therapies are changing industry R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain models according to KPMG. The audit, tax, and advisory services firm shared details of the trend in its Healthcare & Life Sciences Outlook report, explaining that for companies developing cell, gene, and nucleic acid-based therapies, innovation is a necessity. “As pharmaceutical … Continue reading “Advanced Therapies Are Reshaping Biopharma R&D: KPMG Report”
Life Sciences IPOs Target Collective Raise of More Than $600M This Week
So far this year four privately held companies have made the transition to trading on the public markets. By month’s end, five more are anticipated to join the class of 2020 initial public offerings—and four of those are in life sciences, according to IPO research firm Renaissance Capital. Two are clinical-stage biotechs: Cambridge, MA-based Black … Continue reading “Life Sciences IPOs Target Collective Raise of More Than $600M This Week”
Bio Roundup: Coronavirus Concerns, Sarepta’s CRL, Eye Drug OK’d & More
Company news slowed somewhat this week, perhaps as some took the federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday away from the office and others recovered from back-to-back meetings and late nights at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. However, a new coronavirus believed to stem from Wuhan, China, captured the attention of the world healthcare community. … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Coronavirus Concerns, Sarepta’s CRL, Eye Drug OK’d & More”
Kura Oncology Chief Medical Officer Plans to Step Down Next Month
Kura Oncology (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KURA]]) announced Thursday that its chief medical officer, Antonio Gualberto, would step down on Feb. 7 “to pursue other opportunities.” In a research note, SVB Leerink analyst Jonathan Chang said Gualberto was leaving Kura to take over as head of development at an “large Asian multi-national company,” but didn’t name the company. … Continue reading “Kura Oncology Chief Medical Officer Plans to Step Down Next Month”
CEOs of Women’s Health Companies Fight to Open Investment Floodgates
Talking about sex with potential investors? For EvoFem Biosciences CEO Saundra Pelletier, it’s the first item on the docket. Her company recently submitted Amphora, a non-hormonal contraceptive gel, to the FDA for review. EvoFem (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EVFM]])—and the rest of the women’s health sector—will know by midyear whether the product will be approved, making the San … Continue reading “CEOs of Women’s Health Companies Fight to Open Investment Floodgates”
After Ending Cancer Drug Program, Halozyme Predicts Profits in 2020
Halozyme suffered a setback in November when its investigational pancreatic drug failed a Phase 3 clinical trial, but its CEO says the biotech’s drug delivery technology will make the company profitable as early as the second quarter of this year. The San Diego-based company’s technology, called Enhanze, allows some drugs traditionally given intravenously over hours … Continue reading “After Ending Cancer Drug Program, Halozyme Predicts Profits in 2020”
Bio Roundup: EQRx’s Ambitions, Nektar No Vote, New Frazier Fund & More
Perhaps the most talked-about news at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference this week was a new startup that launched with $200 million and an ambitious claim that its first drug would be approved within five years, and 10 in total within as many years. Cambridge, MA-based EQRx contends it will be able achieve its goals … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: EQRx’s Ambitions, Nektar No Vote, New Frazier Fund & More”
Event Announcement: Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego
We’re excited to announce the first in Xconomy’s new Xcelerating Life Sciences event series convening local communities of innovators, executives, rising pioneers, entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists: Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego will help you stay at the forefront of San Diego’s genomic trends and technologies that are fueling today’s biotech investment and partnership opportunities. Early … Continue reading “Event Announcement: Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego”
Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego
Stay at the forefront of San Diego’s genomic trends and technologies that are fueling today’s biotech investment and partnership opportunities Dozens of genomic biotechs in the clinical stage are emerging from universities, research institutions, and philanthropic organizations, defining San Diego as the meeting point for innovative startups, established life sciences companies, and academic prowess. How … Continue reading “Xcelerating Life Sciences San Diego”
FDA Panel Votes Down Nektar Opioid Painkiller, Asks for More Data
[Updated 1/15/2020, 8:51 a.m. See below.] As the nation grapples with the ongoing opioid crisis, an FDA advisory panel on Tuesday unanimously voted against recommending approval of a Nektar Therapeutics painkiller that would add a new compound to the drug class—even though it was designed to reduce the risk of abuse. Some members of the … Continue reading “FDA Panel Votes Down Nektar Opioid Painkiller, Asks for More Data”
Daré Bioscience Inks Deal With Bayer for Non-Hormonal Contraceptive
Daré Bioscience launched in 2015 with the aim of assembling a portfolio of novel women’s health products intended to pique interest from major pharmaceutical companies. Now the San Diego-based company has inked its first deal with Big Pharma, signing an agreement with German biopharma Bayer for its lead asset, a monthly non-hormonal form of birth … Continue reading “Daré Bioscience Inks Deal With Bayer for Non-Hormonal Contraceptive”
NeoGenomics Nabs Human Longevity’s Oncology Division for $37M
The genetic testing company NeoGenomics has acquired Human Longevity’s oncology division, which provides next-generation sequencing services. The division of San Diego-based Human Longevity generated approximately $10 million in revenue in 2019—an amount NeoGenomics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NEO]]) thinks it can grow by nearly 50 percent, says Charlie Eidson, investor relations and corporate development analyst, NeoGenomics. Additionally, the … Continue reading “NeoGenomics Nabs Human Longevity’s Oncology Division for $37M”
Neurocrine, in Second Epilepsy Deal, Pairs With Swiss Biotech Idorsia
Neurocrine Biosciences is doubling down on epilepsy, striking its second agreement in as many months with a new deal that grants it the option to license an investigational treatment for a rare form of the disease. The San Diego-based drug developer (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NBIX]]) last month struck a deal with Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:XENE]]) that added … Continue reading “Neurocrine, in Second Epilepsy Deal, Pairs With Swiss Biotech Idorsia”
Biotech Roundup: Drug Pricing Promises, Bone Disease Data, IPO Plans & More
A letter signed by 215 people involved in the biopharma industry, including CEOs and investors, published Wednesday promised to put the “interests of patients first.” Six CEOs, including five who run public companies, co-authored the letter. Signatories agreed to what they dubbed a New Commitment to Patients, a list of “core principals and actions” promising … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Drug Pricing Promises, Bone Disease Data, IPO Plans & More”
DTx Pharma Raises $10.6M to Advance New Way to Deliver RNA Drugs
RNA medicines can treat some diseases by hitting targets otherwise considered “undruggable” by small molecules and biologics, but protecting the nucleic acids from degradation and getting the therapies to where they are needed in the body can be difficult. San Diego startup DTx Pharma has raised $10.6 million to advance technology it has developed that … Continue reading “DTx Pharma Raises $10.6M to Advance New Way to Deliver RNA Drugs”
Ionis Adds Former Grail Chief Commercial Officer to Executive Team
Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IONS]]) appointed Onaiza Cadoret-Manier as its chief corporate development and commercial officer, a newly created position. Cadoret-Manier was most recently chief commercial officer at Grail, a Menlo Park, CA-based startup spun out from Illumina (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ILMN]]) that is working to develop tests to detect cancer at its earliest stages. She was previously … Continue reading “Ionis Adds Former Grail Chief Commercial Officer to Executive Team”
Empirico Raises $17M, Inks 3-Year Antisense Collaboration with Ionis
Empirico, a biotech that has developed tools to analyze genomics data and use those insights to identify potential therapeutic targets, has signed a collaboration deal with antisense drug developer Ionis Pharmaceuticals that includes a $10 million equity investment. The 14-person startup, founded in 2017, has developed technology that it says uses big data sets, human … Continue reading “Empirico Raises $17M, Inks 3-Year Antisense Collaboration with Ionis”
Mirati Adds Execs With Commercial Experience at Spark, Bristol-Myers
Cancer drug developer Mirati Therapeutics is beefing up its leadership team as its lead programs advance through human testing. The San Diego-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MRTX]]) this week added two executives to its C-suite as part of a strategic effort to ready the biotech for its potential transformation into a commercial company. For San Diego, it’s … Continue reading “Mirati Adds Execs With Commercial Experience at Spark, Bristol-Myers”
Celgene-Seeded PharmAkea Sells Last Fibrotic Drug Candidate to Galecto
When a group of scientists from Amira Pharmaceuticals wanted to start a new biotech after the company’s 2011 acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene provided seed funding. Eventually Celgene kicked in $35 million more for a research collaboration, an equity stake, and an exclusive option to acquire the startup, PharmAkea Therapeutics. But the partnership fizzled, and … Continue reading “Celgene-Seeded PharmAkea Sells Last Fibrotic Drug Candidate to Galecto”
BioIntervene Raises $30M to Move Nerve Pain Drug Into the Clinic
In the past seven years BioIntervene has been working to develop “ultra-selective” compounds to target an adenosine receptor associated with pain relief. Now the San Diego-based biotech has $30 million and a chief scientific officer, Charles Cohen, to guide its lead compound, BIO-205, into human testing for neuropathic pain. The company announced the Series A … Continue reading “BioIntervene Raises $30M to Move Nerve Pain Drug Into the Clinic”
BioIntervene Taps Charles Cohen as Its Chief Scientific Officer
BioIntervene on Monday named Charles Cohen as its chief scientific officer. Cohen was most recently vice president of biology at Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:XENE]]). His experience also includes positions at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]), and Bayer. San Diego-based BioIntervene, which recently raised $30 million in a Series A financing round led by MPM … Continue reading “BioIntervene Taps Charles Cohen as Its Chief Scientific Officer”
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”
After Antitrust Challenges, Illumina and PacBio Throw in Towel on Merger
DNA sequencing machine maker Illumina will have to find another way to “read” long pieces of genetic material as well as short stretches, the genomic giant’s bailiwick. Its $1.2 billion proposal to acquire long-read capability by buying rival Pacific Biosciences ended Thursday following challenges from antitrust regulators. The deal foundered about 14 months after the … Continue reading “After Antitrust Challenges, Illumina and PacBio Throw in Towel on Merger”
Bio Roundup: Amarin’s Approval, FTC v. Illumina, a $120M Deal & More
As national politics dominates the news in the final days of the decade, we at Xconomy are wrapping up the year with some big moves by the FDA, including an approval of the first drug OK’d reduce heart risk in patients with high triglycerides who are already taking statins. Holidays don’t provide immunity to bad … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Amarin’s Approval, FTC v. Illumina, a $120M Deal & More”
Biogen Strikes Alzheimer’s Deal, Paying $45M for Ionis Tau Drug Rights
When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, Biogen isn’t putting all of its eggs in the same basket. In the latest development of a multi-drug and multi-disease collaboration, the company has licensed an experimental Ionis Pharmaceuticals compound that works in a different way than the therapies currently in its pipeline for neurodegenerative diseases. On Thursday, Ionis … Continue reading “Biogen Strikes Alzheimer’s Deal, Paying $45M for Ionis Tau Drug Rights”
FTC Challenges PacBio Acquisition, Says Illumina is a “Monopolist”
About one year ago Illumina agreed to splash out $1.2 billion on Pacific Biosciences, a rival maker of DNA sequencing technology. Now the Federal Trade Commission is looking to block the deal, and says it was meant to steamroll a competitor and maintain Illumina’s “monopolist” position atop the industry. The San Diego-based genomics giant (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “FTC Challenges PacBio Acquisition, Says Illumina is a “Monopolist””
Orbiting Organoids: Research in Space to Unveil New Neurodegeneration Insight
More than 250 miles above the Earth’s surface aboard the International Space Station, a first-in-kind study of neurodegenerative disease is expected to reveal never-before-seen cell interactions. The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) is funding the study, which is the result of a bi-coastal collaboration between the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and … Continue reading “Orbiting Organoids: Research in Space to Unveil New Neurodegeneration Insight”
Organovo’s Demise Offers Path for Tarveda to Join the Public Markets
Organovo raised millions of dollars from investors to fuel its goal of developing 3D “bioprinted” human tissues for use in people with end-stage liver disease and other life-threatening illnesses. But the San Diego company fell short of bringing its lead regenerative medicine program into clinical trials, and now it is charting a course as a … Continue reading “Organovo’s Demise Offers Path for Tarveda to Join the Public Markets”
Zentalis Pharma Names Melissa Epperly as Its Chief Financial Officer
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, which is developing small molecule drugs for cancer, appointed Melissa Epperly as its chief financial officer. Epperly was most recently CFO at clinical-stage gene therapy developer Psioxus Therapeutics; previously she was CFO and head of business development at R-Pharm US, a commercial-stage oncology pharmaceutical company. Her prior experience includes time as a director … Continue reading “Zentalis Pharma Names Melissa Epperly as Its Chief Financial Officer”
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”
Aspen Neuro Bags $6.5M to Test Parkinson’s Disease Stem Cell Therapy
Nearly nine years ago Jeanne Loring and her colleagues at Scripps Research debuted a test that leveraged advances in genomics and data science to determine, without testing in animals, whether human stem cells were “pluripotent,” or able to become any type of cell in the body. Being able to prove that has become increasingly important … Continue reading “Aspen Neuro Bags $6.5M to Test Parkinson’s Disease Stem Cell Therapy”
Prometheus Bio Taps Thierry Dervieux as Chief Development Officer
Prometheus Biosciences on Tuesday said it has appointed Thierry Dervieux as chief development officer, diagnostics, and medical laboratory director. The San Diego-based biotech, created this summer through the acquisition of Prometheus Laboratories by Precision IBD, is working to create new drugs and companion diagnostics for people with gastroenterology disorders and autoimmune diseases. Dervieux was most … Continue reading “Prometheus Bio Taps Thierry Dervieux as Chief Development Officer”
Locana Names Casebia Therapeutics’s Jim Burns as New CEO
Locana said Tuesday that it has appointed Jim Burns, most recently CEO of Casebia Therapeutics, as its new chief executive. Burns ran Casebia, a joint venture between CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRSP]]) and Bayer, for three years. Previously he spent three decades at Sanofi Genzyme. He succeeds Jeffrey Ostrove, who was named to the top role … Continue reading “Locana Names Casebia Therapeutics’s Jim Burns as New CEO”
Zentalis Steps Out With $147M Raised to Develop “Tried and True” Small Molecules
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals is banking on small molecules for cancer—leaving the “cool technologies” aside for a “tried and true” approach, says the CEO, who wants to let the science speak for itself. Since it was founded five years ago, the company has moved three compounds into the clinic. How? By operating under the radar. “If you … Continue reading “Zentalis Steps Out With $147M Raised to Develop “Tried and True” Small Molecules”