News

At the 2025 National Biotechnology Conference, gene therapies, bispecific antibodies and other novel modalities—relative newcomers to medicine—will be much discussed. In this curtain raiser, BioSpace speaks with conference chair Prathap Nagaraja Shastri of J&J about these highly anticipated topics.
FEATURED STORIES
After a tension-packed two days that saw recommended changes to the MMRV vaccine schedule and COVID-19 vaccine access, as well as a delayed hepatitis B vaccine vote, policy experts expressed concern with the reconstituted committee’s dearth of previous experience and understanding of their role.
FDA
A complex state vs. federal regulatory scheme allows drug compounders to advertise drugs without disclosing risks like a pharma company must do. Experts say it’s time for the FDA to crack down.
From a small team of researchers and skipped salaries, CEO Michelle Xia has steered Akeso to become one of the most exciting companies in the industry today.
FROM OUR EDITORS
Read our takes on the biggest stories happening in the industry.
THE LATEST
In a small Phase IIa trial, Insilico’s generative AI-designed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug improved lung function and was well-tolerated across all dosing groups.
In line with the restructuring initiative, 23andMe is looking for strategic opportunities for its pipeline assets, including licensing deals or outright sales.
Analysts did not seem very concerned by the treatment-related serious adverse event, noting that NGN-401 was well-tolerated at a lower dose and showed promising efficacy outcomes.
CEO Roberto Iacone admitted in an interview that the market remains tough, even for a biotech in the red-hot ADC world. But Alentis is targeting an IPO as early as 2025.
BioSpace has named 50 biopharma companies to its 2025 Best Places to Work list, including Moderna and Sutro Biopharma, whose executives share what makes their organizations special.
The shocking failure of AbbVie’s emraclidine has investors questioning the Big Pharma’s long-term neuroscience strategy, which put the drug at the center of expectations.
FDA
Novavax’s shared jumped 12% in pre-market trading on the news.
In February 2024, the FDA put two Phase II studies of zelnecirnon under a clinical hold after a case of liver failure was deemed potentially related to the drug.
The companies did not provide detailed data for Tezspire, however, and William Blair’s Matt Phipps said in a note he does not expect the antibody to outperform Dupixent.
GSK’s departure comes as the industry anticipates the incoming Trump administration and as it continues to grapple with the threat of the BIOSECURE Act and losses of legal challenges to the IRA’s drug price negotiation program.