A resTORbio respiratory drug has failed a late-stage test, and the company is stopping further development of the compound for lung infections in elderly patients. In the first of two Phase 3 studies, resTORbio on Friday released preliminary data showing that its drug, RTB101, did not beat a placebo. Though the Boston-based company won’t proceed … Continue reading “ResTORbio’s Respiratory Drug Flunks Phase 3 Test, Shattering Shares”
Biotech Roundup: Gottlieb v. Juul, Solid Slumps, Avidity Gets $100M & More
Lung injuries connected to the use of electronic cigarettes have topped 2,000 and killed 40 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s still unclear whether the cases are tied to legally sold products or devices modified by e-cigarette users, but the CDC this week identified a “potential toxin of concern”—Vitamin E … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Gottlieb v. Juul, Solid Slumps, Avidity Gets $100M & More”
Daré to Add Microchip-Based Birth Control to Women’s Health Portfolio
The list of activities our smartphones can control grows daily. Transfer money? It’s simple. Order groceries? That, too. Turn off the bedroom lights? Check. How about contraception? Advancing new forms of birth control is a central focus at Daré Bioscience (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DARE]]), a San Diego-based biopharma company that’s built a pipeline of experimental devices and … Continue reading “Daré to Add Microchip-Based Birth Control to Women’s Health Portfolio”
Equillium Names Chief Business Officer Bruce Steel as Successor CEO
Equillium (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EQ]]) announced this week that CEO Dan Bradbury would step down from the role Jan. 1 and be succeeded by Bruce Steel, the company’s current chief business officer and president. Bradbury will remain executive chairman. Steel, a co-founder of the company, was previously the founder and managing director of BioMed Realty’s strategic investment … Continue reading “Equillium Names Chief Business Officer Bruce Steel as Successor CEO”
Startup X-37 Raises $14.5M to Expand on AI-Powered Drug Discovery
Launched just last year, artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery company X-37 now has raised $14.5 million in Series A financing to expand its development programs. Co-founded by Atomwise and a team from Velocity Pharmaceutical Development, the San Francisco, CA-based company uses Atomwise’s AI platform for structure-based drug design to screen chemical compounds against pharmaceutical targets. DCVC … Continue reading “Startup X-37 Raises $14.5M to Expand on AI-Powered Drug Discovery”
Bayer and Dewpoint Ink Deal for Drugs R&D at New Frontier of Biology
[Updated, 12:15 p.m. See below.] Inside of a cell, some proteins and RNA are concentrated in liquid droplets that assemble in formation during a variety of cellular functions. Dewpoint Therapeutics is making headway understanding the role these droplets play in disease, and that work now has Bayer as a research partner. Bayer and Dewpoint on … Continue reading “Bayer and Dewpoint Ink Deal for Drugs R&D at New Frontier of Biology”
Calporta, Started by Avalon Ventures-GSK, Is Acquired by Merck
Another of the biopharma startups created as part of a collaboration between San Diego investment firm Avalon Ventures and GlaxoSmithKline has been acquired—but not by GSK. Instead, the company, Calporta Therapeutics, is being absorbed by Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]), which is interested in its preclinical work on potential treatments for lysosomal storage and neurodegenerative diseases, including … Continue reading “Calporta, Started by Avalon Ventures-GSK, Is Acquired by Merck”
Avidity Bio Adds $100M to Advance R&D of Muscle Disorder Drugs
Earlier this year, Avidity Biosciences and Eli Lilly began a partnership to develop new drugs based on the biotech’s technology for delivering genetic material to cells. On Wednesday, Lilly was among a group of investors that joined a $100 million financing for the company. The funding, a Series C round, was led by RTW Investments. … Continue reading “Avidity Bio Adds $100M to Advance R&D of Muscle Disorder Drugs”
Parenteral Drug Association West Coast Life Science Holidays Party & Expo
From the event organizer: The West Coast Chapter of the PDA would like to invite all professionals working in the life sciences industry to celebrate a fantastic year with the best of the Bay Area’s life sciences community. This is the place to catch up with former colleagues, have the opportunity to meet new connections, find solutions for … Continue reading “Parenteral Drug Association West Coast Life Science Holidays Party & Expo”
NIBR’s Raman Departs for Chief Biz Dev Role at Flagship Pioneering
Prakash Raman has joined venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering in the newly created role of chief business development officer. Raman comes to Cambridge, MA-based Flagship from the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), where he was vice president and global head of business development and licensing. Flagship’s portfolio companies include epigenetics medicines developer Omega Therapeutics … Continue reading “NIBR’s Raman Departs for Chief Biz Dev Role at Flagship Pioneering”
Reata’s Kidney Drug Hits Goals of Key Study, Paves Way for FDA Filing
About half of all patients with the most severe form of Alport syndrome, a rare, genetic type of chronic kidney disease, will need dialysis or a transplant by age 25. On Monday, Reata Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RETA]]) announced that its investigational drug for those with Alport syndrome, bardoxolone methyl (bard), met the main goal of a … Continue reading “Reata’s Kidney Drug Hits Goals of Key Study, Paves Way for FDA Filing”
FDA Again Halts Solid Bio’s Duchenne Gene Therapy Clinical Trial
The FDA has stopped a clinical trial testing a Solid Biosciences gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy after a patient developed complications associated with the experimental treatment. Cambridge, MA-based Solid Bio says the problems deemed to be related to the gene therapy included an immune system reaction, a decrease in red blood cells, kidney injury, … Continue reading “FDA Again Halts Solid Bio’s Duchenne Gene Therapy Clinical Trial”
TransEnterix CEO Pope Steps Down, Fernando Appointed Successor
Todd Pope, president and CEO of TransEnterix (NYSE American: [[ticker:TRXC]]) since 2008, has stepped down. The Research Triangle Park, NC-based surgical robotics company promoted Anthony Fernando to take Pope’s place. Fernando had been TransEnterix’s chief operating officer and chief technology officer. Pope will continue to advise the company to help with the transition of his … Continue reading “TransEnterix CEO Pope Steps Down, Fernando Appointed Successor”
Neurana Pharmaceuticals Appoints Randall Kaye Chief Medical Officer
Randall Kaye is joining Neurana Pharmaceuticals as chief medical officer. Kaye was most recently CMO at digital therapeutics developer Click Therapeutics. Previously he held executive roles at SSI Strategy, where he served as CMO of Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AXSM]]), and at Avanir Pharmaceuticals. Neurana, which is based in San Diego, is advancing its lead drug … Continue reading “Neurana Pharmaceuticals Appoints Randall Kaye Chief Medical Officer”
Roche Challenger to Biogen’s SMA Drug Succeeds in Pivotal Study
A Roche drug in development as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy achieved the main goals of a key study, helping to build the case that the drug could challenge a Biogen therapy already approved for the rare disorder. Roche announced Monday that its drug, risdiplam, met the main goal of showing improvement according to … Continue reading “Roche Challenger to Biogen’s SMA Drug Succeeds in Pivotal Study”
Neuroscience Is Taking the Spotlight at Xconomy’s Bay Area Xchange
These are heady times for neuroscience research. Startups developing new approaches to brain disorders are raising money to advance their discoveries toward clinical trials. One failed neuro drug is getting another shot. On Nov. 19 in San Francisco, we’ll hold the latest in our Xchange event series. What’s Next in Neuroscience Therapies will take a … Continue reading “Neuroscience Is Taking the Spotlight at Xconomy’s Bay Area Xchange”
Looking to Level Up in NASH, Novo Nordisk Licenses Ube Drug Candidate
Danish diabetes giant Novo Nordisk took another step this week in its efforts to establish a presence in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, a metabolic disorder closely related to diabetes that is anticipated to become the leading cause of liver transplants in the US in coming years. The company Thursday announced it had inked a deal … Continue reading “Looking to Level Up in NASH, Novo Nordisk Licenses Ube Drug Candidate”
Anemia Drug From Acceleron Pharma and Celgene Wins FDA Approval
[Updated 6:41 p.m. See below.] A drug that Celgene and Acceleron Pharma developed to treat low red blood cell levels in patients who have a rare blood disorder now has regulatory clearance to enter the market. The FDA on Friday approved luspatercept (Rebloyzl) for patients who have beta thalassemia, an inherited disorder that leads to … Continue reading “Anemia Drug From Acceleron Pharma and Celgene Wins FDA Approval”
Bio Roundup: Feds Sue Gilead, Biogen Eyes China, CRISPR’d Kidneys & More
During the state of the union address this year, President Trump pledged to end HIV transmission within the next decade. A key part of that plan is an HIV prevention drug made by Gilead Sciences. That drug has now become the center of a patent dispute between the Foster City, CA, drug maker and the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Feds Sue Gilead, Biogen Eyes China, CRISPR’d Kidneys & More”
Odylia Therapeutics Names Ashley Winslow Its Chief Scientific Officer
Ashley Winslow is joining Atlanta, GA-based Odylia Therapeutics, a nonprofit organization that aims to accelerate the development of gene therapies for people with inherited retinal disease, as its chief scientific officer. Most recently she was the senior director of portfolio development and translational research at the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania; she … Continue reading “Odylia Therapeutics Names Ashley Winslow Its Chief Scientific Officer”
Teva Pharmaceutical Appoints Eli Kalif As New Chief Financial Officer
Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical (NYSE: [[ticker:TEVA]]) announced Thursday that it had appointed Eli Kalif as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Kalif, who was most recently a senior vice president, finance, at Flex (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FLEX]]), a US technological manufacturer, succeeds Mike McClellan, who held the role for the past two years.
Gilead’s Luisa Stamm Named Assembly Biosciences Chief Medical Officer
Luisa Stamm has joined Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ASMB]]) as chief medical officer. Stamm comes to South San Francisco-based Assembly from Gilead Siences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), where she was executive director in the liver diseases therapeutic area, as well as executive director in the HIV and emerging viruses therapeutic area. Assembly is developing drugs for hepatitis B … Continue reading “Gilead’s Luisa Stamm Named Assembly Biosciences Chief Medical Officer”
Rubius Exec Dowden Departs for Entrada Chief Operating Officer Post
Entrada Therapeutics has appointed Nathan Dowden to serve as its chief operating officer. He joins Boston-based Entrada from Rubius Therapeutics, where he was senior vice president of strategy and corporate development. Entrada is developing drugs that that use cell-penetrating peptides to bring a therapy into a cell. Last year, the biotech raised $59 million in … Continue reading “Rubius Exec Dowden Departs for Entrada Chief Operating Officer Post”
eGenesis Lands $100M to Advance CRISPR-ed Pig Kidney to Human Test
Biotech startup eGenesis, which is applying gene editing to animal organs in order to make them suitable for human transplant, has raised $100 million to ramp up work on its kidney program and bring it into human testing. The Series B round of funding was led by the investment arm of Fresenius Medical Care, a … Continue reading “eGenesis Lands $100M to Advance CRISPR-ed Pig Kidney to Human Test”
Arkuda Unveils $44M and a Protein Restoration Approach to Dementia
The onset of one of the most devastating forms of dementia often comes with a misdiagnosis. Personality and behavioral changes in a patient can spark a hypothesis of depression or psychosis. Memory problems rouse suspicion of Alzheimer’s disease. By the time a physician determines frontotemporal dementia as the cause, the disease is well on its … Continue reading “Arkuda Unveils $44M and a Protein Restoration Approach to Dementia”
AI Can Unlock Health Data’s Potential, But Access Is Still Difficult
When Mark Bakken formed the healthcare technology investment firm HealthX Ventures nearly five years ago, he says hospitals, insurers, and other potential buyers of digital health products were less open to conversations with the kinds of early-stage healthtech startups Bakken’s firm wanted to back. At the time, healthcare organizations’ top priority was installing electronic medical … Continue reading “AI Can Unlock Health Data’s Potential, But Access Is Still Difficult”
3 Changes We Should Make to Address the Gender Pay Gap in Medicine
Women in medicine earn about 20 percent less than men. That is a problem for multiple reasons. It is, of course, not fair to the women who go through the same training and have the same skills as their male counterparts. Worse still, if well-qualified women are discouraged from entering the profession because of this … Continue reading “3 Changes We Should Make to Address the Gender Pay Gap in Medicine”
AstraZeneca Chooses China for R&D and AI Centers, $1B Biotech Fund
AstraZeneca says it will establish centers for drug research and artificial intelligence development in China. The pharmaceutical giant has also set up a $1 billion fund to foster biotech innovation in that country. The move—which was announced at the China International Import Expo this week—will see AstraZeneca found a global R&D center in Shanghai’s central … Continue reading “AstraZeneca Chooses China for R&D and AI Centers, $1B Biotech Fund”
Biogen Adds Two More Biosimilars in $100M Deal with Samsung Bioepis
Biogen is bolstering its strategy of selling biosimilars—lower-cost versions of biological drugs that are losing patent protection—with a $100 million deal for rights to two eye products. The drug maker is also expanding its biosimilar scope to include China. Cambridge, MA-based Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) struck the deal with Samsung Bioepis, its joint venture with Samsung … Continue reading “Biogen Adds Two More Biosimilars in $100M Deal with Samsung Bioepis”
GE Healthcare Opens Startup Labs at Former AstraZeneca UK R&D Site
The doors have opened at a GE Healthcare-supported open-access lab for startups at AstraZeneca’s former global center for oncology research and development at Alderley Park, the largest bioscience research campus in the UK. The AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]) site in Macclesfield, UK, housed 3,500 staff and was instrumental in developing a number of its cancer drugs … Continue reading “GE Healthcare Opens Startup Labs at Former AstraZeneca UK R&D Site”
Why Steve Kafka Left Third Rock Ventures for Up-and-Comer Section 32
Section 32, which invests in healthcare and life sciences companies with a technology component, has added a third managing partner. The small venture capital firm was started in San Diego about two years ago by Bill Maris, who, during his time at Google, founded and led its corporate venture capital arm, now part of parent … Continue reading “Why Steve Kafka Left Third Rock Ventures for Up-and-Comer Section 32”
With $9.5M, Intrepida Bio Launches to Target Pancreatic Cancer & More
Dauntless Pharmaceuticals formed in 2016, and its founders said the Sofinnova Ventures-backed firm planned to take a new approach to building biotechs. Instead of advancing a broad stable of early-stage drug candidates under the same roof, Dauntless aimed to set up each asset within its own company. The idea was that when it came time … Continue reading “With $9.5M, Intrepida Bio Launches to Target Pancreatic Cancer & More”
Stryker Adds to Trauma & Extremities Biz With $4B Wright Medical Deal
Medical device giant Stryker is strengthening its presence in trauma and extremities surgeries with a cash deal to acquire Wright Medical for $4 billion. According to deal terms announced Monday, Kalamazoo, MI-based Stryker (NYSE: [[ticker:SYK]]) will pay $30.75 per share, a nearly 40 percent premium compared to the Friday closing stock price of Wright Medical … Continue reading “Stryker Adds to Trauma & Extremities Biz With $4B Wright Medical Deal”
Acadia Names Subbiah Chief Medical Officer, Head of Medical Affairs
Ponni Subbiah is joining Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ACAD]]) as chief medical officer and senior vice president, global head of medical affairs. She was most recently CMO at UK opioid manufacturer Indivior; she previously spent about 15 years at Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]). San Diego-based Acadia has one drug on the market, pimavanserin (Nuplazid), a treatment for … Continue reading “Acadia Names Subbiah Chief Medical Officer, Head of Medical Affairs”
Gilead’s Sung Lee Joins Sangamo Therapeutics as CFO
Sangamo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGMO]]) has appointed Sung Lee to serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Lee joins Brisbane, CA-based Sangamo after 14 years at Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), where he was most recently a senior vice president leading financial planning and analysis, and investor relations. Sangamo and partner Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) are … Continue reading “Gilead’s Sung Lee Joins Sangamo Therapeutics as CFO”
Checkmate Pharma Names Kleem Chaudhary Chief Business Officer
Kleem Chaudhary has been appointed chief business officer of Cambridge, MA-based Checkmate Pharmaceuticals. He was most recently head of business development & licensing at Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]). Chaudhary’s experience also includes positions at Takeda Pharmaceutical (NYSE: [[ticker:TAK]]) and Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]). Checkmate’s lead drug CMP-001, a type of cancer drug called an oligonucleotide, is in … Continue reading “Checkmate Pharma Names Kleem Chaudhary Chief Business Officer”
Halozyme to Restructure After Pancreatic Cancer Drug Fails in Phase 3
An experimental Halozyme Therapeutics treatment for pancreatic cancer has failed a pivotal study, and the company is stopping further development of the drug and closing its oncology operations as part of a corporate restructuring. Halozyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:HALO]]) announced Monday that its drug, PEGPH20, did not meet a Phase 3 study’s main goal of improving how … Continue reading “Halozyme to Restructure After Pancreatic Cancer Drug Fails in Phase 3”
Entasis’s Isaacs to Retire, Altarac Appointed Chief Medical Officer
David Altarac has been appointed chief medical officer of Entasis Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ETTX]]). He will succeed Robin Isaacs, who will retire from the Waltham, MA-based company at the end of the year. Entasis said Isaacs will continue to serve as an advisor. Altarac’s experience includes senior roles at Shire, NeoStem, and Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]). Entasis, … Continue reading “Entasis’s Isaacs to Retire, Altarac Appointed Chief Medical Officer”
Aerie Names David Hollander Chief Research & Development Officer
David Hollander is joining Aerie Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AERI]]) as chief research and development officer. Hollander most recently worked at Ora, where he was chief medical officer and senior vice president. His experience also includes more than a decade at Allergan (NYSE: [[ticker:AGN]]). Durham, NC-based Aerie has two FDA-approved glaucoma treatments: netarsudil (Rhopressa) and the netasudil … Continue reading “Aerie Names David Hollander Chief Research & Development Officer”
Biotech Roundup: Novartis on Hold, AMAG Vote, Neuro News & More
The brain has stymied many efforts to develop new neuroscience drugs, leading a number of big pharmaceutical companies to pull back on such R&D work. This week, Amgen joined them. Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]) is ending its research and early development programs in neuroscience, the company announced during a conference call to discuss third-quarter financial results. … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Novartis on Hold, AMAG Vote, Neuro News & More”
Pinteon Gets $17M to Tackle Tau in Alzheimer’s, Other Brain Diseases
Beta amyloid grabs most of the headlines and research dollars for Alzheimer’s disease, but efforts to develop drugs targeting that brain protein have largely come up short. Pinteon Therapeutics is trying for a better outcome with drugs that block tau, a different protein that, despite also being associated with Alzheimer’s, has garnered much less attention. … Continue reading “Pinteon Gets $17M to Tackle Tau in Alzheimer’s, Other Brain Diseases”
Roche to Pay Dicerna Pharma $200M to Team Up on Hepatitis B Drug
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals’ research on medicines intended to stop a gene from producing a disease-causing protein has caught the eye of Roche, which is paying the company $200 million up front for global rights to its early-stage hepatitis B virus infection drug. According to deal terms announced Thursday, Dicerna (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DRNA]]) could earn up to $1.47 … Continue reading “Roche to Pay Dicerna Pharma $200M to Team Up on Hepatitis B Drug”
Gilead’s Matthew Sause to Join Roche Diagnostics as North America CEO
Roche Diagnostics has appointed Matthew Sause to serve as president and CEO of its North America operations. Sause is coming to Indianapolis-based Roche Diagnostics from Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), where he is senior vice president and head of global commercial product. His experience includes 17 years at Roche, including time at the company’s diagnostics division. … Continue reading “Gilead’s Matthew Sause to Join Roche Diagnostics as North America CEO”
FDA Halts Novartis Gene Therapy Study Amid Animal Safety Concerns
Novartis must stop enrollment of a clinical trial testing its gene therapy for a rare, muscular disorder after safety concerns surfaced in data from an animal study. The FDA put a partial clinical hold on a Phase 1/2 study testing the therapy, Zolgensma, Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]) announced Wednesday. The decision doesn’t halt the study entirely; … Continue reading “FDA Halts Novartis Gene Therapy Study Amid Animal Safety Concerns”
Editas Medicine Appoints Judith Abrams Chief Medical Officer
Judith Abrams has joined Editas Medicine as (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EDIT]]) chief medical officer. She most recently worked at EMD Serono Research and Development Institute as the franchise lead in immunology and neurology, global drug safety innovation. Her experience includes positions at CorMedix, Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]), and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: [[ticker:NVO]]). Cambridge, MA-based Editas is developing gene-editing … Continue reading “Editas Medicine Appoints Judith Abrams Chief Medical Officer”
Boundless Bio Appoints Chris Hassig as Its Chief Scientific Officer
Chris Hassig has joined cancer drug developer Boundless Bio as its chief scientific officer. He is tasked with overseeing the San Diego company’s drug discovery efforts, expanding its research team, and guiding the company in building out a pipeline of therapeutics. Hassig was most recently CSO of Sierra Oncology (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SRRA]]); prior he served in … Continue reading “Boundless Bio Appoints Chris Hassig as Its Chief Scientific Officer”
Disc Medicine Launches With $50M to Advance New Anemia Treatments
Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and having too little or too much can lead to serious health problems. When iron levels go awry, the number of healthy red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream shrinks, causing a condition called anemia. Disc Medicine, a … Continue reading “Disc Medicine Launches With $50M to Advance New Anemia Treatments”
Acerta Pharma’s Ed Tucker Joins Mirum as Chief Medical Officer
Mirum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MIRM]]) has appointed Ed Tucker to serve as its chief medical officer. He was most recently the chief operating officer of AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]) subsidiary Acerta Pharma. His experience also includes positions at Bayer, Janssen Pharmaceutica, and Genentech. Foster City, CA-based Mirum Pharma, which launched late last year, is developing drugs for … Continue reading “Acerta Pharma’s Ed Tucker Joins Mirum as Chief Medical Officer”
Assembly Bio Taps Gilead’s Thomas Russo as Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Russo has left Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]) to become chief financial officer of Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ASMB]]). Russo held a number of positions during his seven years at Gilead, and was most recently vice president and head of commercial finance. His experience also includes posts at Robert W. Baird & Co. and Merck (NYSE: … Continue reading “Assembly Bio Taps Gilead’s Thomas Russo as Chief Financial Officer”
Prometheus Bio Appoints Mike Walther as Chief Commercial Officer
Mike Walther has been appointed chief commercial officer of Prometheus Biosciences, which is developing new gastroenterology and autoimmune disease drugs and diagnostics. Walther was most recently general manager at Aries Pharmaceuticals. His experience also includes a series of management roles, including vice president of commercial development, at Nestlé Health Science unit Prometheus Laboratories. The conglomerate’s … Continue reading “Prometheus Bio Appoints Mike Walther as Chief Commercial Officer”