EQRx launched in January during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference with an audacious pledge to create 10 new drugs in as many years and then sell them at “dramatically” lower prices than existing medicines. But it offered few specifics about how it would achieve those goals. This week, drug licensing deals it made with two … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Jazz Drug OK’d, Gilead’s Bet, Moderna Patent Decision & More”
Scholar Rock’s Alan Buckler Joins Triplet as Chief Scientific Officer
Triplet Therapeutics has appointed Alan Buckler to serve as chief scientific officer, the same role he held most recently at Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SRRK]]). Buckler’s experience also includes positions at Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, and Axys Pharmaceuticals. Cambridge, MA-based Triplet launched last year with $49 million in financing to support … Continue reading “Scholar Rock’s Alan Buckler Joins Triplet as Chief Scientific Officer”
FDA Lifts CymaBay Drug Hold, Tests to Resume in Rare Liver Disease PBC
The FDA has lifted a hold on clinical trials for an experimental CymaBay Therapeutics drug in three liver diseases, clearing the way for tests to resume in all of them. But the company won’t be pressing forward in the biggest one, NASH, at least for now. The clinical hold on the drug, seladelpar, stemmed from … Continue reading “FDA Lifts CymaBay Drug Hold, Tests to Resume in Rare Liver Disease PBC”
Parker Institute Adds John Connolly as New Chief Scientific Officer
John Connolly joined the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) as its new chief scientific officer. He was most recently CSO at Singaporean clinical-stage cell therapy company Tessa Therapeutics, which in 2017 struck up an alliance with PICI to develop next-generation cancer treatments. Connolly is an associate professor at National University of Singapore and an … Continue reading “Parker Institute Adds John Connolly as New Chief Scientific Officer”
Jazz Pharma Gets FDA Nod for New Drug to Treat Narcolepsy Symptoms
[Corrected 7/23/20, 10:13 am. See below.] Jazz Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval for a narcolepsy drug that it has developed as a lower-sodium successor to its biggest moneymaker, a treatment that was first approved in 2002 to reduce attacks of muscle weakness associated with the disease. That drug, sodium oxybate (Xyrem), was first OK’d to reduce … Continue reading “Jazz Pharma Gets FDA Nod for New Drug to Treat Narcolepsy Symptoms”
Vesigen Nabs $28M to Wrap “ARMMS” Around Large Molecule Drug Delivery
It’s not enough for a cell or gene therapy to reach a cell, it must also get inside it to access most of the validated drug targets. Vesigen Therapeutics is developing technology that could best other approaches at penetrating the cellular membrane, and it launched on Wednesday with $28.5 million to advance its research. The … Continue reading “Vesigen Nabs $28M to Wrap “ARMMS” Around Large Molecule Drug Delivery”
Seer Raises $55M to Commercialize Tools to Analyze the Proteome
Illumina led the genomics revolution, developing tools that have changed how scientists discover drugs and how clinicians treat patients. Startup Seer is making the case that its technology for analyzing the proteome—the complement of proteins that cells, tissues, and organs produce—will take it to the head of the proteomics field. On Wednesday the Redwood City, … Continue reading “Seer Raises $55M to Commercialize Tools to Analyze the Proteome”
Olema Adds $54M to Start Human Tests of Breast Cancer Drug Candidate
Olema Oncology has raised $54 million to advance its lead drug candidate into human tests, having been working in stealth since 2007 to develop a daily pill to treat women with breast cancer whose disease is driven by the hormone estrogen. San Francisco-based Olema announced Wednesday that the Series B financing round will allow it to start … Continue reading “Olema Adds $54M to Start Human Tests of Breast Cancer Drug Candidate”
Freeline Therapeutics and Checkmate Pharma Make Opening IPO Moves
The biotech IPO queue has added two more companies. Freeline Therapeutics and Checkmate Pharmaceuticals have each filed the regulatory paperwork to offer shares to the public. Freeline is raising cash to ensure that its lead program, a prospective hemophilia B gene therapy, keeps pace in the race to develop and commercialize a genetic treatment for … Continue reading “Freeline Therapeutics and Checkmate Pharma Make Opening IPO Moves”
Elevation Oncology Debuts With $32.5M to Develop Targeted Cancer Drugs
Elevation Oncology formed last year with $32.5 million in a Series A financing round led by the initial investor in Loxo Oncology, a company that blazed a trail developing cancer therapies based on genetic signature rather than tumor origin. On Tuesday the New York-based biotech emerged from stealth aiming to follow in Loxo’s path. It … Continue reading “Elevation Oncology Debuts With $32.5M to Develop Targeted Cancer Drugs”
Roche, Jnana Enter Drug R&D Alliance Targeting Metabolism’s Gatekeepers
Scientists know that proteins called solute carrier (SLC) transporters move substances important to metabolism across cellular membranes. But can drugs effectively hit these proteins to treat disease? Roche is paying startup Jnana Therapeutics $40 million to find out. The alliance announced Tuesday focuses on the discovery and preclinical development of drugs for immunological and neurological … Continue reading “Roche, Jnana Enter Drug R&D Alliance Targeting Metabolism’s Gatekeepers”
Gilead Sciences Splashes Out $300M for Tizona Stake & Option to Acquire
Gilead Sciences has made its second deal in as many months that puts the company first in line to acquire a biotech developing cancer immunotherapies. On Tuesday the Foster City, CA-based company said it would pay $300 million to South San Francisco-based Tizona Therapeutics for a 49.9 percent stake plus the option to later acquire … Continue reading “Gilead Sciences Splashes Out $300M for Tizona Stake & Option to Acquire”
Acadia Halts Work on Depression Drug After Late-Stage Trial Failure
Acadia Pharmaceuticals received the FDA’s OK for pimavanserin (Nuplazid), the first drug approved to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease, in 2016. Since then, the San Diego company has looked to expand its use into other indications, with mixed results. That trend continued Monday when Acadia (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ACAD]]) reported it would end its … Continue reading “Acadia Halts Work on Depression Drug After Late-Stage Trial Failure”
Forge Bio’s Combo Model for Gene Therapies Attracts $40M in Funding
Forge Biologics has something rare for most early-stage biotech startups: revenue from customers. Now it has $40 million to expand its model, which places contract manufacturing alongside the development of its own gene therapies, the most advanced of which is being readied for tests in humans. From operations in Columbus, OH, Forge makes gene therapies … Continue reading “Forge Bio’s Combo Model for Gene Therapies Attracts $40M in Funding”
Rhythm Pharma Taps Chairman David Meeker as President & CEO
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RYTM]]) has appointed David Meeker, its chairman, to serve as CEO. He succeeds Hunter Smith, the company’s interim CEO and chief financial officer. Smith will continue serving as CFO. Meeker joined the Rhythm Pharma board in 2015 and has been its chairman since 2017. His experience also includes executive positions at the … Continue reading “Rhythm Pharma Taps Chairman David Meeker as President & CEO”
Tizona’s Karakunnel Joins Innate Pharma as Chief Medical Officer
Innate Pharma (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IPHA]]) announced that Pierre Dodion, the company’s chief medical officer since 2014, is retiring. The Marseille, France-based cancer immunotherapy developer says Dodion will continue to consult with the company in his retirement. To succeed Dodion, Innate Pharma has appointed Joyson Karakunnel as executive vice president and chief medical officer. He was most … Continue reading “Tizona’s Karakunnel Joins Innate Pharma as Chief Medical Officer”
GSK Pays CureVac $328M in mRNA Vaccines Pact—Excluding COVID-19
GlaxoSmithKline is expanding its capabilities in messenger RNA (mRNA) research through a new alliance with CureVac spanning up to five programs targeting infectious disease pathogens. In addition to mRNA vaccines, those programs could also be antibody therapies. GSK (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]) is paying CureVac a total of £260 million (about $328 million) to kick off the … Continue reading “GSK Pays CureVac $328M in mRNA Vaccines Pact—Excluding COVID-19”
Exalys Launches With $15M to Treat Postoperative Delirium & More
Venture capitalists like nothing more than pattern matching, and Domain Associates has identified one it especially prefers: licensing drug candidates from a Japanese biopharma and setting up a US company to move it through testing until Big Pharma starts nosing around. It’s a roadmap the VC firm, which has offices in San Diego and Princeton, … Continue reading “Exalys Launches With $15M to Treat Postoperative Delirium & More”
MeiraGTx, J&J See Phase 3 Test Ahead for Vision Loss Gene Therapy
A gene therapy being jointly developed by MeiraGTx and Johnson & Johnson to treat an inherited disease of the retina that leads to blindness improved patients’ vision after six months, data that the companies say is enough to move the potentially long-lasting treatment into pivotal testing. The condition, called X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, is part of … Continue reading “MeiraGTx, J&J See Phase 3 Test Ahead for Vision Loss Gene Therapy”
Two Days, Six IPOs, and $1B Raised for Biotech Research & More
Summer’s arrival hasn’t slowed the momentum of the biotech IPO market. Wall Street this week welcomed six new life science industry companies, which collectively raised more than $1 billion in their stock market debuts. Relay Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RLAY]]) notched the biggest biotech IPO of the week, raising $400 million. Investor interest in the Cambridge, MA-based … Continue reading “Two Days, Six IPOs, and $1B Raised for Biotech Research & More”
The Xcelerate Keynote Series – Part of Biotech Week Boston
Presented by Xconomy, the Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston places a spotlight on industry visionaries who are moving the needle in patient outcomes. As life sciences, healthcare, and drug development are undergoing unprecedented change, the keynote speakers will share insights on how their sectors are adapting to challenges, how to combat potential disruptive … Continue reading “The Xcelerate Keynote Series – Part of Biotech Week Boston”
Bio Roundup: Moderna Publishes, Life Science Cash, AdComm Votes & More
If it seems like biotech investments have defied the financial headwinds of the pandemic, maybe it’s because they have. In the second quarter, 16 of the top 25 largest early-stage venture capital deals were investments in life science companies. The figures come from the National Venture Capital Association and financial research firm Pitchbook. This week … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Moderna Publishes, Life Science Cash, AdComm Votes & More”
GSK Vaccine Vet Pfefer Tapped for Executive Roles at Flagship, Kintai
Flagship Pioneering has appointed Guillaume Pfefer to serve as CEO-partner of the venture capital firm. He will also become CEO of Kintai Therapeutics, one of the Cambridge, MA-based firm’s portfolio companies. Pfefer worked most recently at GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]), where he was senior vice president and global vaccine leader for Shingrix, the company’s shingles vaccine. … Continue reading “GSK Vaccine Vet Pfefer Tapped for Executive Roles at Flagship, Kintai”
Adimab Spinout Adagio Raises $50M for Coronavirus Antibody R&D
There’s a hard and fast rule at Adimab, a company that makes money by discovering and optimizing antibodies to pass off to drug development companies: Don’t compete with the customers. So, when its antibody science group produced a portfolio of anti-coronavirus antibodies, the Lebanon, NH-based company decided to spin off the assets into a new … Continue reading “Adimab Spinout Adagio Raises $50M for Coronavirus Antibody R&D”
Mallinckrodt’s Kidney Failure Drug Narrowly Wins Backing of FDA Panel
An experimental Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals drug for a rare type of kidney failure has won the support of an FDA advisory panel by the thinnest of margins. The committee of mostly physicians concluded that the benefits of the drug, terlipressin, outweigh its safety risks as a treatment for hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1), and panelists voted … Continue reading “Mallinckrodt’s Kidney Failure Drug Narrowly Wins Backing of FDA Panel”
Moderna Publishes Early COVID-19 Vaccine Data, Preps for Phase 3 Test
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate stimulated production of antibodies to the novel coronavirus in all of the patients tested in an early-stage study, and the company says the data support the selection of which dose to test in a pivotal clinical trial slated to begin at the end of July. When the Cambridge, MA-based company initially … Continue reading “Moderna Publishes Early COVID-19 Vaccine Data, Preps for Phase 3 Test”
Last Chance for Xconomy Awards Nominations – Deadline is Friday, July 17
Have you had your say yet? The 2020 National Xconomy Awards represent the very best our life science industry has to offer. It is our privilege to recognize emerging companies and technologies, highlight groundbreaking business collaborations and strategies, celebrate corporate responsibility and diversity, and promote the innovation that delivers new therapeutics and better health to all. Finalists … Continue reading “Last Chance for Xconomy Awards Nominations – Deadline is Friday, July 17”
Dewpoint, Merck Team Up to Tackle HIV Using Condensate Know-How
Dewpoint Therapeutics has signed its second biopharma partnership, teaming up with Merck to explore the potential of using its discoveries around “droplets” of biomolecules that form inside cells to create a new HIV treatment. The companies’ aim is an ambitious one: develop a drug candidate that could prove curative, rather than suppress the infection as … Continue reading “Dewpoint, Merck Team Up to Tackle HIV Using Condensate Know-How”
Scholar Rock CEO Mahanthappa to Step Down, Kingsley Named Successor
Nagesh Manhanthappa, the founding employee of Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SRRK]]) and its president and CEO for the past eight years, has decided to step down, the company announced Tuesday. No reason was given. The Cambridge, MA-based biotech said Mahanthappa is also leaving the board of directors on Aug. 1 but will continue to serve as … Continue reading “Scholar Rock CEO Mahanthappa to Step Down, Kingsley Named Successor”
After Biologic COVID-19 Drug OK’d in India, Equillium Plans a US Test
The drug that Equillium licensed from India-based pharma giant Biocon has received authorization for emergency use in that country in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The treatment, itolizumab, reduced mortality in a 30-person open-label randomized controlled trial in which the goal was to avoid or address a dangerous inflammatory response to the virus called cytokine release … Continue reading “After Biologic COVID-19 Drug OK’d in India, Equillium Plans a US Test”
Vor Biopharma Makes Slapak’s Chief Medical Officer Job Permanent
Vor Biopharma has appointed Christopher Slapak to serve as its chief medical officer. He had held that role on an interim basis for the past year. Slapak’s experience also includes positions at Eli Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]) and ImClone, which was acquired by the drug giant in 2008. Cambridge, MA-based Vor uses genetic engineering techniques to … Continue reading “Vor Biopharma Makes Slapak’s Chief Medical Officer Job Permanent”
The 2020 National Xconomy Awards
The 2020 National Xconomy Awards honors the top individuals, companies, and organizations that make the country’s life sciences ecosystem the most vibrant and innovative in the world. Building on the popularity and strength of the 2017-2019 Xconomy Awards Boston and the 2019 Xconomy Awards San Diego, we are launching our first National Xconomy Awards in … Continue reading “The 2020 National Xconomy Awards”
Roche, Blueprint Medicines Team Up Again in $775M RET Cancer Drug Pact
A Blueprint Medicines cancer drug candidate currently under FDA review will have the marketing muscle of Roche behind it if it wins regulatory approval. The two companies are partnering on the drug, pralsetinib, a targeted cancer therapy developed for lung and thyroid cancers characterized by abnormalities in a gene called RET. According to deal terms … Continue reading “Roche, Blueprint Medicines Team Up Again in $775M RET Cancer Drug Pact”
New Xconomy Podcast & Special Report Feature Boston Biophama Leaders on Digital Health
Miss Xconomy’s Xcelerating Life Sciences Boston: Biopharma’s Future in Digital Health event or want to revisit the insightful content? Our new podcast and special report package the highlights for you. Listen to the podcast or download the report today. The podcast includes expert panels on: The convergence of data supporting emerging therapies Navigating approaches in a complex regulatory environment Managing the … Continue reading “New Xconomy Podcast & Special Report Feature Boston Biophama Leaders on Digital Health”
Turning Point Names Centrexion’s Partridge as Chief Commercial Officer
Turning Point Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TPTX]]) appointed Andrew Partridge as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Partridge most recently served as chief operating officer and CCO at privately held Centrexion Therapeutics, a Boston company developing treatments for chronic pain. Previously he was with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), where he ended a five-year stint as senior … Continue reading “Turning Point Names Centrexion’s Partridge as Chief Commercial Officer”
Amgen Doubles Down on BeiGene Collaboration, Investing $421M More
At the year’s start Thousand Oaks, CA-based Amgen closed a strategic collaboration with BeiGene, investing $2.8 billion to gain a presence in what’s becoming an ever-more essential market for global drug development. The investment earned it an R&D pact and ownership of about one-fifth of the Chinese oncology drug company. Now the firm has snapped … Continue reading “Amgen Doubles Down on BeiGene Collaboration, Investing $421M More”
3 Biotech IPOs Together Rake In Over a Half Billion to Advance Treatments
Three biotech companies collectively raised $584 million in their initial public offerings last week, continuing a streak that has the healthcare sector playing a leading role in the robust level of market activity this summer. Of the three companies, the one with investigational therapies that haven’t yet begun tests in humans raised the most. South … Continue reading “3 Biotech IPOs Together Rake In Over a Half Billion to Advance Treatments”
ViaCyte Taps Insulet’s Bradrick as Its First Chief Financial Officer
ViaCyte added its first chief financial officer to its C-suite, bringing on Brittany Bradrick from Massachusetts-based medical device company Insulet (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PODD]]) where she served as vice president of strategy and corporate development. Bradrick’s prior experience includes roles in the diabetes care division at Abbott (NYSE: [[ticker:ABT]]). Before entering the industry she spent about a … Continue reading “ViaCyte Taps Insulet’s Bradrick as Its First Chief Financial Officer”
Kiadis Pharma Brings On e-Therapeutics’ Barlow as Chief Business Officer
Dutch biotech Kiadis Pharma appointed Ray Barlow as chief business officer. Barlow most recently led UK-based data-driven drug discovery company E-therapeutics as its CEO. His prior roles include serving at Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]) as executive director of corporate development and at Crucell Vaccines, a Netherlands-based company that’s now a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “Kiadis Pharma Brings On e-Therapeutics’ Barlow as Chief Business Officer”
Ovid Licenses European Rights to Lead Rare Disease Drug to Angelini Pharma
Rare disease drug developer Ovid Therapeutics is slated to reveal Phase 3 data from its lead program, a potential treatment for Angelman syndrome, by year’s end. If the drug is approved, the privately held Italian company Angelini Pharma will carry it forward for that indication in the Europe Union and a handful of other countries. … Continue reading “Ovid Licenses European Rights to Lead Rare Disease Drug to Angelini Pharma”
Bio Roundup: Blackstone’s Billions, Biogen Finishes Filing, Novavax at “Warp Speed” & More
Cash flowed throughout the life sciences ecosystem this week as Blackstone (NYSE: [[ticker:BX]]) raised a record-setting life sciences fund, companies of all stages announced new financings, and money continued to find its way to those working on efforts to treat or prevent COVID-19. Financiers poured $100 million or more into at least three biotechs, a … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Blackstone’s Billions, Biogen Finishes Filing, Novavax at “Warp Speed” & More”
Sanofi Pays Kymera $150M to Kick Off Protein Degrader Partnership
Kymera Therapeutics has signed a deal with French biopharma Sanofi to advance two potential treatments for immune-inflammatory diseases that leverage the Cambridge, MA-based company’s research into protein degradation, the natural mechanism cells use to get rid of unwanted proteins. Drug developers are eager to leverage that cellular recycling system to create new treatments because it … Continue reading “Sanofi Pays Kymera $150M to Kick Off Protein Degrader Partnership”
NFlection Looks to Erase NF1 Tumors With Drug That Only Goes Skin Deep
The first drug for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is available to patients following the FDA’s approval of the AstraZeneca treatment earlier this year. Biotech startup NFlection Therapeutics is vying to be runner-up, but its founders say they can eventually win out with a drug that takes a different approach than the commercialized pill while also … Continue reading “NFlection Looks to Erase NF1 Tumors With Drug That Only Goes Skin Deep”
Cend Therapeutics Names Viracta’s David Slack As Its New President & CEO
Cancer drug developer Cend Therapeutics has appointed one of its board members, David Slack, to succeed Erkki Ruoslahti as its president and CEO. Slack, who joined the Cend board last year, was most recently chief business officer at Viracta Therapeutics. His previous experience includes serving as co-founding CEO at Kinagen and vice president for business … Continue reading “Cend Therapeutics Names Viracta’s David Slack As Its New President & CEO”
Kinnate Adds WuXi NextCODE’s Richard Williams as Chief Medical Officer
Kinnate Biopharma appointed Richard Williams as its chief medical officer. Williams was most recently CMO and global head of oncology programs at WuXi NextCODE. His prior experience includes roles with cancer detection company Grail, Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), and Puma Biotechnology (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PBYI]]). San Diego-based Kinnate is developing kinase inhibitors to treat genetically defined cancers.
VelosBio Tacks on $137M to Advance Its ROR1-Targeting Cancer Antibody Drugs
Dave Johnson has known UC San Diego physician and cancer reseacher Thomas Kipps for nearly 20 years. Now Johnson, CEO of San Diego-based cancer drug developer VelosBio, has secured $137 million to accelerate the company’s goal of developing targeted therapies based on an antibody program developed by Kipps that homes in on tumors with a … Continue reading “VelosBio Tacks on $137M to Advance Its ROR1-Targeting Cancer Antibody Drugs”
Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug in FDA’s Court Following Completion of Filing
By early September Biogen—plus the many scientists, patients, and investors following the saga of its controversial Alzheimer’s drug aducanamab—should know whether the FDA plans to review the Cambridge, MA biotech’s experimental brain disease treatment. The company announced Wednesday that its submission to the FDA, pieces of which it has been submitting on a rolling basis, … Continue reading “Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug in FDA’s Court Following Completion of Filing”
The 2020 National Xconomy Awards Expands, Goes Virtual & Reopens Nomination Period
The 2020 National Xconomy Awards – celebrating the best in biotech innovation and entrepreneurship – just got bigger! We’re excited to announce the expansion of the 2020 National Xconomy Awards. Presented in a digital format, the 2020 awards program will begin on Sept. 8 with daily Meet the Finalists webcasts leading up to the … Continue reading “The 2020 National Xconomy Awards Expands, Goes Virtual & Reopens Nomination Period”
Foghorn Therapeutics Inks Chromatin-Targeting Cancer Deal with Merck
One way that a cell regulates which genes in its DNA are expressed and when is by altering the structure of the fibers that are formed by the genetic material and associated proteins, packaging that’s referred to as chromatin. Foghorn Therapeutics, which emerged in 2018 with plans to discover and develop new cancer drugs by … Continue reading “Foghorn Therapeutics Inks Chromatin-Targeting Cancer Deal with Merck”
Novavax Gets $1.6B in Operation Warp Speed Funding for COVID-19 Vaccine
The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed has made its biggest financing award yet, promising $1.6 billion to a Maryland biotech to help advance its investigational COVID-19 vaccine and ready millions of doses in preparation for its possible success. Gaithersburg, MD-based Novavax, which has never before brought a product to market, announced the federal award Tuesday. … Continue reading “Novavax Gets $1.6B in Operation Warp Speed Funding for COVID-19 Vaccine”