BioSpace News Archive

Pictured: Doctor holding a brain scan with an elde

Otsuka Drug Candidate Fails Phase III Alzheimer’s Agitation Study

AVP-786 was unable to significantly reduce total scores in the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory versus placebo, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals reported Monday. The company is evaluating the next steps for the drug combination.

February 13, 2024

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Pictured: Roche Diagnostics building in California

Business

Roche Returns Solid Tumor Asset to Repare Weeks After $40M Milestone Payment

Citing a pipeline review and “evolving” external factors, Roche has returned the potentially best-in-class camonsertib to Repare Therapeutics, which will continue to evaluate the asset in various tumor types.

February 13, 2024

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Pictured: gene editing on DNA Background / Taylor

Drug Development

Opinion: The Promise and Challenges of CRISPR-Based Treatments

With last year’s approval of Vertex and CRISPR’s Casgevy, it’s the start of a new era of gene editing. But there are still challenges we must face.

February 13, 2024

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3 min read

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Jon Chesnut

Pictured: Biogen's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Policy

Biogen Reaps Rewards of Reata Buyout with EU Approval for Skyclarys in Friedreich’s Ataxia

Following Biogen’s $7.3 billion acquisition of Reata Pharmaceuticals in July 2023, the drug on Monday was approved in the European Union for treating the rare genetic disorder that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

February 13, 2024

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Business

Biogen Misses Q4 Revenue Estimates on Aduhelm Costs, Lower MS Drug Sales

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Biogen’s revenue from multiple sclerosis drugs fell 8% due to generics competition and the company paid $60 million in close out costs related to Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm.

February 13, 2024

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2 min read

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Tyler Patchen

Pictured: A packaged Set of semaglutide injection

Drug Development

Patients Taking Semaglutide See Benefit After Total Hip Replacement

Studies presented Monday at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting show semaglutide has positive impact on outcomes for total hip arthroplasty patients.

February 13, 2024

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2 min read

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Tyler Patchen

Pictured: Falling Pain Pill Bottles / Taylor Tiede

Latigo Launches into Non-Opioid Pain Medicine Space with $135 Million Series A

Two weeks after Vertex’s Phase III data for VX-548 reenergized the field, Latigo Biotherapeutics announced $135 million in Series A funds to push its own NaV1.8 inhibitor into Phase II.

February 13, 2024

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3 min read

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Heather McKenzie

Deals

With Catalent’s Latest Quarterly Numbers Down, Experts Reaffirm Novo’s Buy 

Analysts say Novo Holdings made the right decision last week in scooping up the CDMO to increase manufacturing capacity for Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight-loss drugs.

February 13, 2024

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3 min read

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Tyler Patchen

Pictured: Cutout mouths talking to each other/Tayl

Career Advice

Career Coach: How Do I Get Better at Accepting Feedback?

Plus, tips for finding biophama job opportunities, and when and how to follow up after a job interview.

February 13, 2024

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6 min read

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Carina Clingman

Pictured: Collage of part-time executives collabor

Is 2024 the Year of Lean, Fractional C-Suites?

In a tough funding environment, some biotechs are choosing to leave executive positions vacant and either spread responsibilities or find a part-time leader.

February 13, 2024

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4 min read

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Karen Fischer