Deloitte urged pharma executives to “be bold” in a new report tracking the top 20 pharmaceutical companies’ R&D performance.
The announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services highlighted a flurry of moves, which include the shifting of departments. Also this week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tapped fellow vaccine critic David Geier to investigate vaccine safety within the CDC.
In this episode presented by DIA, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses the evolution of women’s inclusion in clinical trials with Martin Hodosi, partner at Kearney and Melissa Laitner, director of strategic initiatives at the National Academy of Medicine.
Looking for a biopharma job in Indiana? Check out the BioSpace list of seven companies hiring life sciences professionals like you.
Biopharma employees reporting a positive business outlook for their companies dropped month over month but increased year over year in February, according to the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index. Glassdoor’s findings align with recent BioSpace data.
Last month, Deerfield Management accused Alcon of obstructing Aurion’s IPO plans so it could acquire the startup “at a discount.”
FEATURED STORIES
Expanding volumes of data point to mechanisms beyond weight loss and blood sugar control that contribute to cardiovascular benefits in the world’s fastest-growing drug class.
Among the FDA’s pending decisions for this quarter are Vertex’s non-opioid pain drug and Sanofi’s RNA interference therapy for hemophilia A and B.
Effectively treating and preventing this common form of dementia will require a cocktail of drugs and a combination of approaches, as well as a drive toward early detection.
FROM BIOSPACE INSIGHTS
In a year when eradicated diseases are on the uptick in America, how will American children survive RFK Jr.’s vaccine scrutiny and inconsistency? Two experts call on pharma and regulatory bodies to rebuild trust.
LATEST PODCASTS
In this episode presented by IQVIA, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses the importance of target product profiles, particularly when navigating funding challenges, with Ian Fisher, head of development analytics.
China continues to be a source of innovation as Pfizer strikes biggest pact yet; HHS provides more info on Trump’s Most Favored Nation executive order; FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and CBER director Vinay Prasad reveal new COVID-19 vaccine strategy following Novavax approval; ODAC underway after chaotic planning; more.
President Donald Trump unwrapped a massive drug pricing policy as CMS prepares for the next round of Medicare drug price negotiations; Vinay Prasad to take the helm at the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Bayer cuts 2,000 more employees; Eli Lilly’s Zepbound scores again; and the Galapagos story turns again.
Job Trends
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, will hold its 2024 Investor Day on Thursday, September 19, starting at 9:00 a.m. in New York City.
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SPECIAL EDITIONS
A new generation of checkpoint inhibitors is emerging, with some showing more promise than others. From recent TIGIT failures to high-potential targets like VEGF, BioSpace explores what’s on the horizon in immuno-oncology.
Peter Marks, the venerable head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, has been forced out. In this special edition of BioPharm Executive, BioSpace takes a deep dive into the instability of the HHS.
Year-over-year BioSpace data show biopharma professionals faced increased competition for fewer employment opportunities during the first quarter of 2025.
DEALS
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The bladder cancer-focused biotech is looking to be one of the first companies out of the gate with an initial public offering in 2024. -
Taiwanese contract development and manufacturing organization Bora will purchase Minnesota-based Upsher-Smith Laboratories, expanding operations into the U.S. for the first time. -
Alto Neuroscience and Kyverna Therapeutics are following in the footsteps of CG Oncology, Metagenomi and Arrivent in seeking initial public offerings this year. -
Following the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and other parallel meetings in San Francisco, it’s time to reflect on some of the significant deals secured last week. -
Panelists at JPM’s Biotech Showcase gave positive projections as the year begins and offered advice to those in the space.
WEIGHT LOSS
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Driven by growing market demand and an improving supply chain, the global weight-loss drug market is expected to hit $150 billion in value by the early 2030s, according to analysts cited by Reuters. -
The FDA currently does not recommend using changes in lean mass as an endpoint in clinical trials for weight loss drugs. Should it? -
Amid shortages of its Mounjaro and Zepbound blockbuster drugs, Eli Lilly on Friday said it is investing an additional $5.3 billion in its production site in Lebanon, Indiana, to boost output of their active ingredient. -
Aiming to compete in the lucrative weight-loss drug market, Zealand Pharma on Thursday posted topline results showing its dapiglutide led to only a slight weight reduction in low doses. -
Full data from the FLOW study show that Novo Nordisk’s top-selling GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide can significantly reduce the risk of death by 20% in diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease.
POLICY
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The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill aimed at limiting the number of patents drugmakers can introduce and making it easier for generic and biosimilar competitors to enter the market. -
The Federal Trade Commission plans to file lawsuits against the three largest pharmacy benefit managers over allegedly steering patients away from less expensive drugs, according to The Wall Street Journal. -
The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued an interim report on the top pharmacy benefit managers, showing that they are generating massive profit at the expense of patients by inflating prescription drug costs.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday said he intends to have a “significant package of China-related legislation” signed into law by the end of this year, including the BIOSECURE Act which intends to stop federal contracts with Chinese “companies of concern.”
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The Biden administration is appealing a 2023 jury decision that declared invalid its patent protections over Gilead Sciences’ HIV prevention regimen of Truvada and Descovy.
Learn some essential tips on how to build a resume or how to enhance your resume during COVID-19. These tips can increase the chances of getting you to the interview stage.
If you’re setting new career goals, try including these tips to shape a path forward.
After you’ve been in a role for a decent amount of time it can feel like you have learned all that there is to learn. But that’s not to say that you’ve learned all you can from the company and the people that work there.
Why are adaptive leaders so useful? And is adaptive leadership a quality that will benefit your life sciences career? Let’s explore this concept and find out.
Regardless of the field that you work in, mentioning top skills in your resume is a crucial step. Here are some tips to prepare the best leadership skills resume.
While you’re starting your job search and before you go into any interviews, think about how you want to talk about your job loss.
HOTBEDS
REPORTS
In this Employment Outlook report, BioSpace explores current workforce sentiment, job activity trends and the prospective job and hiring outlook for 2025, particularly as it compares to the previous year.
BioSpace’s third report on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in life sciences examines dramatic shifts in attitude around diversity initiatives.
CANCER
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The pharma said Thursday it is stopping a late-stage study of its blockbuster Keytruda plus the anti-TIGIT antibody vibostolimab and chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, following a recommendation from an independent data monitoring committee. -
Servier Pharmaceuticals’ vorasidenib on Tuesday secured the FDA’s green light for the treatment of patients with grade 2 gliomas carrying mutations in the IDH gene. -
The specialty pharmaceutical company has twice filed for bankruptcy in recent years, driven by opioid-related litigation. Mallinckrodt’s deal with CVC will allow it to pay off more than half of its net debt. -
The FDA is looking for stronger overall survival data to back Actinium’s application for Iomab-B, an investigational therapy that will allow acute myeloid leukemia patients to receive bone marrow transplants. -
As part of a pipeline realignment, Bristol Myers Squibb is returning the rights to Agenus for its proprietary TIGIT bispecific antibody program and terminating their 2021 license, development and commercialization agreement.
NEUROSCIENCE
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As AbbVie and NeuroDerm race toward potential U.S. approvals later this year, the companies presented strong data at last week’s American Academy of Neurology 2024 annual meeting for their respective continuous subcutaneous levodopa infusions. -
A one-time treatment for Parkinson’s disease could be a ‘market changer,’ experts told BioSpace, adding that cell therapies could limit the adverse effects seen with current drugs. -
The FDA will close out April with five target action dates around indications that include pediatric seizures and a neurological cancer in children. -
Data from the Phase III OCARINA II study shows the subcutaneous version of Ocrevus achieved near-complete suppression of relapses and brain lesions in relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis. -
Cerevel Therapeutics on Thursday reported positive data from its Phase III TEMPO-3 trial, showing that tavapadon can significantly improve symptom control in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
CELL AND GENE THERAPY
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BMS and J&J will meet with the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Friday to discuss their CAR-T therapies Abecma and Carvykti as the companies seek their approval as earlier lines of treatment. -
The FDA’s busy week ahead involves three decision dates for potential industry firsts and a highly anticipated advisory committee meeting for two CAR-T therapies. -
Separate challenges exist for companies developing gene therapies for rare and common cardiovascular conditions, experts told BioSpace. -
Formerly known as Ryne Bio, Kenai Therapeutics emerged on Thursday with backing from several groups and has a cell therapy candidate going after Parkinson’s disease. -
Sarepta Therapeutics on Wednesday called the launch of the gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy “exceptional” but the company does not expect to see significant growth in the first half of 2024 due to its currently limited patient pool.
