News

FEATURED STORIES
Bluebird has just two quarters until it’s out of cash. Executives are looking for financing to extend that runway to a projected breakeven point before the end of 2025, with analysts worried they won’t make it.
Big Pharma had plenty of drama to keep journalists busy this quarter, which painted an accurate portrait of the wild and wonderful world of biopharma.
A tale of two multi-billion schizophrenia deals, AstraZeneca touts strong sales while deflecting questions about an investigation into China exec, the Huntington’s pipeline builds momentum and layoffs continue with Sana Biotechnology and 23andMe.
Job Trends
Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) (NYSE: MRK) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and granted Priority Review to the Biologics License Application (BLA) for patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously treated with two or more systemic therapies.
FROM OUR EDITORS
Read our takes on the biggest stories happening in the industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—along with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and CBER Director Vinay Prasad—argued against vaccine mandates, partly because they limited medical choice. This week, the FDA under their leadership approved updated COVID-19 vaccines with restrictions that do the same.
THE LATEST
Last month, Deerfield Management accused Alcon of obstructing Aurion’s IPO plans so it could acquire the startup “at a discount.”
Soleno’s Vykat XR is the first drug approved for the rare disease that directly targets its hallmark symptom.
The latest data from Johnson and Johnson’s Rybrevant and Lazcluze lung cancer combo was better than standard of care Tagrisso on overall survival. But analysts say the next step is getting a subcutaneous formula approved.
Several companies will head to the FDA seeking approval of new Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatments next year but the death of a patient taking Sarepta’s Elevidys raises important safety questions.
The German conglomerate announced a licensing agreement with Puhe BioPharma for a PRMT5 inhibitor used in a variety of cancers. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
WVE-N531, an oligonucleotide, elicited significant functional benefit and reversal of muscle damage in the Phase II FORWARD-53 trial. Wave plans to file for accelerated approval of the candidate in 2026.
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on the EU would increase manufacturing costs for pharma companies and would stall medical innovation, according to the results of a recent survey by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
Eisai’s new fiscal 2027 forecast for Leqembi is roughly 50% lower than its projections a year ago.
FDA
Blujepa, which treats UTIs in female patients aged 12 and up with common and uncomplicated infections, will hit the market in the second half of this year.
Marty Makary earlier this month distanced himself from the recent shake-ups at the FDA, including the cancellation of its vaccines advisory committee meeting and the steep layoffs at the agency.