BioSpace News Archive

mRNA leaves the nucleus, it moves to a ribosome 3d rendering

Opinion

How mRNA Can Help Bridge the Innovation Gap in Rare Disease

As it did during the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology offers an efficient way forward in developing products for diseases that lack approved treatments.

February 28, 2025

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3 min read

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Kyle Holen

Drug Development

Building Patient Trust Amid an Environment of Distrust

While at SCOPE 2025, Sam Srivastava, CEO at WCG Clinical discusses the challenges and responsibilities of the life sciences industry in building public trust amidst growing anger towards healthcare.

February 28, 2025

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1 min read

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Lori Ellis

FDA recently approved BESREMi for the treatment of

Rare diseases

6 Rare Diseases That Have New FDA-Approved Treatments

ITF, IntraBio and Orchard are among the companies that have won FDA nods in the past year for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Niemann-Pick disease type C, metachromatic leukodystrophy and more.

February 28, 2025

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7 min read

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Shawna Williams

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Pipeline

Mission Nixes Preclinical Studies, Falls Back on Clinical Candidates

Mission Therapeutics is down to its clinical assets MTX652 and MTX325, which work by disabling a key enzyme that interferes with the cell’s normal process of removing faulty or dysfunctional mitochondria.

February 28, 2025

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Hand holding pencil erasing an employee. Dismissal or bankrumptcy concept. Vector illustration.

Layoffs

Eisai Will Trim About 7% of US Workforce, Including New Jersey Employees

Eisai’s cuts will affect 121 employees across the Japanese company’s U.S. operations, including 57 people at its American headquarters in Nutley, New Jersey. A company spokesperson said the pharma remains fully committed to the U.S. market.

February 28, 2025

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1 min read

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Angela Gabriel

Editorial

Transparency Missing in Action at HHS Despite Leaders’ Calls for Clarity

In the five weeks since Donald Trump returned as U.S. president, the FDA, NIH and CDC have been thrown into disarray, with meetings regarding vaccines and rare diseases canceled or indefinitely postponed—all without a clear reason why.

February 28, 2025

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4 min read

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Heather McKenzie

Illustration of two hands shaking while another hand gently grips a wrist

Collaboration

Cassava’s Stock Rises After Licensing Seizure Rights for Embattled Drug Simufilam

The licensing deal follows years of controversy for Cassava, as well as the high-profile late-stage failure of its Alzheimer’s disease drug simufilam.

February 28, 2025

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Pictured: Eli Lilly's headquarters in Indianapolis

Collaboration

Lilly Hops On Hot Molecular Glue Train With $1.2B+ Magnet Deal

The molecular glue space has attracted several Big Pharma players over the past few years, including Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Novartis.

February 28, 2025

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac

Deals

BridgeBio Oncology Takes Unexpected SPAC Track to Public Markets in $450M Deal

In a move straight out of 2021, BridgeBio Oncology is taking the SPAC route to the public markets in a deal with Helix Acquisition Corp. II worth $450 million in proceeds.

February 28, 2025

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2 min read

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Annalee Armstrong

Cardiovascular disease

Silence Quiets Phase III Pace for Lipoprotein Drug, Seeks Partner

The search for a partner for zerlasiran is ongoing, according to Silence. In the meantime, the biotech will focus its resources on divesiran, which it is testing for polycythemia vera and other hematologic indications.

February 28, 2025

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2 min read

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Tristan Manalac