Biotech
Gilead’s growing HIV franchise; cell therapy licensing deals plummet
This week's PharmaVoice newsletter highlights Gilead's latest FDA-approved HIV combination pill, a sharp decline in cell therapy licensing deals, the FDA's planned public hearing on psychedelics, and Eli Lilly's $2.8 billion acquisition of AtaiBeckley.
As measles outbreaks soar, where does drug R&D stand?
The measles outbreak in the United States has reached a 30-year high, but the therapeutic drug development pipeline remains sparse. A few companies like Invivyd are advancing antibody candidates, while GSK has pushed a quadrivalent vaccine into Phase III trials. Politicization and declining public trust have intensified prevention and control difficulties, while the compliance costs and time of the MMR vaccine split executive order may deter companies.
Social anxiety drugs have been floundering in the clinic. Could Eli Lilly help tip the scales?
Drug development for social anxiety disorder has long faced difficulties, and the recent failures of two Phase III studies have further pressured the field. Lilly spent approximately $2.8 billion to acquire AtaiBeckley, and its candidate drug EMP-01 showed positive signals in a Phase IIa trial. Experts believe that failed studies do not mean failed drugs, and the significant effect sizes of psychedelic compounds may offer new ideas for breakthroughs.
3 takeover targets in immunology
The immunology field continues to attract M&A interest from large pharmaceutical companies due to long-term medication needs and potential for indication expansion. This article analyzes three companies with differentiated pipelines in areas such as inflammatory bowel disease and psoriatic arthritis: Spyre Therapeutics (TL1A and α4β7-targeting antibodies), Abivax (oral microRNA-124 modulator obefazimod), and MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (nanobody sonelokimab), and cites Evaluate reports and insights from Kearney partner Betty Pio to explore their potential as acquisition targets.
Moderna and Merck’s cancer vaccine clears phase 3; Ultragenyx lands gene therapy nod
Moderna and Merck announced that the individualized mRNA cancer vaccine intismeran autogene combined with Keytruda met dual primary endpoints in a Phase III melanoma study; Ultragenyx's first gene therapy Genglycos received FDA accelerated approval for patients aged 8 and older with glycogen storage disease type Ia.