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Part of AbbVie’s vow to invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next decade, the two Illinois facilities will make active ingredients for next-generation neuroscience and obesity drugs when they start operations in 2029.
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The first gene therapies approved to treat sickle cell disease in December 2023 are struggling on the market. But there are glimpses of forward momentum as Vertex and Genetix Bio provide updates.
After last year’s ‘stampede’ for FGF21 assets, the focus for the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis space has shifted toward differentiated approaches, such as THR-β agonists and combination treatments, that seek to mirror the commercial success of Madrigal’s Rezdiffra.
Maintaining America’s momentum demands that policymakers resist policies that undermine research and development incentives.
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Read our takes on the biggest stories happening in the industry.
FDA
Following the FDA’s refusal to review Moderna’s investigational mRNA flu vaccine last week, Commissioner Marty Makary faced questions from the U.S. president about the agency’s handling of vaccines. It’s a clear signal that the tension long brewing at the drug regulator has now gone all the way to the top.
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On election day, Tuesday, November 5, Americans will choose between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris for their next president. The election will also see the rearrangement of Congress.
Jefferies analyst Peter Welford noted that Roche’s pharma group came just slightly ahead of consensus expectations, driven by strong performance of its multiple sclerosis therapy Ocrevus and eye injection Vabysmo.
RSV
Pfizer’s Abrysvo is the first respiratory syncytial virus vaccine that can be used for adults less than 50 years of age. Tuesday’s label expansion covers younger adults who are deemed at higher risk of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease.
Novo Nordisk has nominated semaglutide for inclusion in the FDA’s Demonstrable Difficulties for Compounding list, which includes drugs that are too complicated to produce and could pose substantial safety risks to patients if manufactured incorrectly.
The regulator agreed to allow Sangamo Therapeutics to use data to seek accelerated approval for its Fabry gene therapy candidate, eliminating the need for an additional registrational study and potentially shortening the time-to-market by three years.
Yet another therapy with FDA accelerated approval suffers a setback; Sage’s tough year continues; Sanofi drops $326 million in radiopharma while selling its consumer health unit; Novo Nordisk’s positive Rybelsus results in cardiovascular disease; and more.
Alto Neuroscience’s depression treatment failed to beat placebo just nine months after the biotech went public. The stunning failure called to mind Acelyrin, which faced a similar fate last year.
Roche drops a third Alzheimer’s candidate this year, terminating a partnership with UCB just four years after agreeing to work together on new treatments for the neurological disease.
For biopharma executives who are between roles, navigating the transitionary time can be challenging. However, they can remain visible and valuable so they’re ready to seize their next big opportunity.
The regulator cited deficiencies at a third-party manufacturing facility. Camurus is seeking approval for its extended-release subcutaneous formulation of octreotide, which would allow more convenient once-monthly dosing for patients with acromegaly.