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Galapagos at the start of the year had planned to split into two businesses, with one resulting entity focused on cell therapies. The biotech nixed these plans a few months later, instead choosing to put up for sale multiple cell therapy assets.
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FDA
The FDA in September issued two rejections for spinal muscular atrophy therapies—both linked to manufacturing problems—and granted approvals in Barth syndrome and for a subcutaneous version of Merck’s Keytruda that could be key to the blockbuster’s future earnings.
FDA
By publishing complete response letters as soon as they are issued to drug sponsors, the FDA is expanding transparency in a way that, while positioned as a public health measure, also grants investors greater visibility into regulatory decisions. Experts question whether this is the agency’s proper remit.
In one of the first demonstrations of the impact of last year’s Loper Supreme Court decision on challenges to agency authority, a judge ruled that the FDA does not have authority to regulate tests developed by clinical laboratories.
Job Trends
Following disappointing clinical trial results for AK006, Allakos will cut its workforce down to under 20 employees as it explores strategic alternatives.
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It’s time for Congress to step up and fund America’s supply chain independence from Chinese companies by bolstering our domestic manufacturing capabilities.
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Nabla and Takeda first joined hands in 2022, to push “the boundaries of next-generation biologics discovery,” according to the startup’s CEO Surge Biswas.
While a new facility setup program aimed at encouraging onshoring received a positive reception at a recent meeting, industry representatives said the current rules on existing production plants are the main regulatory issues facing manufacturing teams.
Regeneron is aiming to file a regulatory application for DB-OTO by the end of the year.
The last few months have been tumultuous for the CDC, which has seen the ouster of Director Susan Monarez and all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Moderna’s mRNA-4359, when used with Keytruda, achieves a 24% overall objective response rate in patients with melanoma, with efficacy increasing to 67% in those positive for PD-L1.
Novo had around 250 employees working on cell therapies, all of whom will be laid off, though a spokesperson declined to reveal which offices and locations will be affected.
The market outlook is full of uncertainty and pitfalls. Experts weigh in on how to mitigate risks.
While the benefits of AI are clear, the amount data sets needed for effective AI integration is proving to be a challenge. This is particularly true for cell therapy companies as they are eagerly seeking ways to reduce development costs. Two experts at Charles River Laboratories provide insights by giving their takeaways from their own AI integrations.
To drive true innovation in drug development, executives must not let excitement about the latest shiny object obscure ultimate outcomes.
FDA
Heading into the final quarter of a year that has seen dramatic upheaval at the FDA—from the exodus of numerous senior leaders to unclear policy changes and a safety saga that engulfed the gene therapy space—drug approvals appear roughly on par with recent years.