// Biotech and Pharma Therapeutics
Can biotechnology lead the way toward a sustainable pharmaceutical industry?
March 14, 2024 / Biotechnology / Sustainability / Pharmaceuticals
Examine the environmental sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting that only a small fraction of drugs have been assessed for sustainability. It suggests that biotechnology could significantly contribute to the industry’s transition to sustainability by improving the environmental, economic, and social aspects of pharmaceutical production.Examine the environmental sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting that only a small fraction of drugs have been assessed for sustainability. It suggests that biotechnology could significantly contribute to the industry’s transition to sustainability by improving the environmental, economic, and social aspects of pharmaceutical production.
Wegovy and Ozempic have ignited a gold rush in pharma as well as an upsurge in fake ‘skinny jabs’, leading to surge in hospitalizations
March 13, 2024 / Counterfeit Weight-loss Drugs / Ozempic / Wegovy
Uncover the alarming increase in fake weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, highlighting their dangers and the extensive efforts by law enforcement and regulatory agencies to combat the counterfeit drug market, which is fueled by high demand and shortages.
The twelve hottest biotech companies in the Boston area
March 12, 2024 / Boston Biotech / Gene Therapy / Biotech Innovation
A showcase of twelve leading biotech companies in the Boston area highlighting their innovative approaches and significant contributions to healthcare, from gene therapy for hearing loss to advanced drug discovery platforms. The Boston biotech ecosystem is depicted as a hub for medical innovation and growth, underscored by substantial investments and collaborations in the sector.
Manufacturing complex pharmaceutical products with new technologies
March 11, 2024 / Complex Pharmaceuticals / New Technologies
Explore the increasing complexity of pharmaceutical products and the associated challenges, such as rising production costs and the need for smaller drug batches. It emphasizes the role of new technologies, like robotics and advanced analytics, in improving manufacturing efficiency and addressing quality assurance issues.
AbbVie ends stay with the ADAM family, dropping MacroGenics-partnered ADC in light of early data
March 8, 2024 / AbbVie / MacroGenics / Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC)
AbbVie and MacroGenics discontinue the development of their partnered antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), IMGC936, due to early data showing lack of efficacy and safety in solid tumors. Despite this, MacroGenics remains optimistic about the potential of targeting ADAM9 in cancer treatment with its other experimental drug, MGC028.
// 4th Industrial Revolution
Moody’s says will be ‘many years’ before big AI impacts are seen in healthcare, pharma
March 11, 2024 / AI / Cybersecurity / Data Quality / Health AI
Moody’s report indicates it will take many years before significant impacts of AI are seen in healthcare and pharma, due to early-stage adoption, data quality issues, and cybersecurity risks.
Novel molecules from generative AI to phase II
March 11, 2024 / Generative AI / TNIK Inhibitor / Fibrotic Diseases
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed machine learning (ML) models to identify mortality predictors in dementia patients, according to a study published this week in Communications Medicine.
AI immune system mapping to boost drug discovery
March 8, 2024 / AI / Immunomics / Drug Discovery Innovation
The podcast from Labiotech.eu explores how Immunai is advancing drug discovery by mapping the immune system with AI, predicting responses to drug targets, and identifying potential for revolutionary immune treatments.
How should health systems put ethical AI into practice?
March 8, 2024 / Ethical AI / Healthcare Integration / Data Bias
The integration of ethical AI in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and data privacy. It explores challenges and strategies for implementing AI ethically, considering the biases in data and the need for continuous monitoring and education among healthcare providers.
CTS Europe: The roadmap for generative AI in the pharma industry
March 7, 2024 / Generative AI / Pharma Industry / CTS Europe
The roadmap for generative AI in the pharmaceutical industry is highlighted at CTS Europe. It underlines the industry’s early stages in adopting AI and emphasizes the need for ethical application and understanding of AI’s limitations and potential in drug development and clinical trials.
// Business & Markets
AstraZeneca to buy Amolyt Pharma for $1.05 bln to boost rare-disease portfolio
March 13, 2024 / AstraZeneca / Amolyt Pharma / Eneboparatide
AstraZeneca announces the acquisition of Amolyt Pharma for $1.05 billion, aiming to enhance its rare diseases portfolio, specifically advancing therapies like eneboparatide for hypoparathyroidism.
A Year After Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse, Biotech Looks Back on the Crisis
March 12, 2024 / Biotech Finance / Banking Strategy Care
Reflecting on Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, the biotech industry reassesses its financial practices. Companies are diversifying their banking to mitigate risks, sparking a recovery in biotech financing and investment strategies.
5 Small Biotech ETFs to Watch (Updated 2024)
March 11, 2024 / Biotech ETFs / Genomics / Healthcare Innovation
Highlights for five small biotech ETFs, showcasing their unique focuses, such as genomics and innovative healthcare solutions. These ETFs provide investors with safer entry points into the biotech sector by diversifying risk across multiple companies.
Pfizer is betting big on cancer drugs to turn business around after Covid decline – here’s what to know
March 10, 2024 / Cancer Drugs / Oncology
Pfizer shifts focus to cancer drug development to offset losses after the decline in COVID business, leveraging its acquisition of Seagen to expand its oncology portfolio, aiming for significant growth and addressing upcoming patent expirations.
Novo valuation surpasses Tesla on experimental obesity drug data
March 7, 2024 / Obesity Drug / Amycretin
Novo Nordisk’s market value surpasses Tesla following positive trial data for its new obesity drug, highlighting its potential beyond the existing Wegovy success and increasing investor confidence in its growing drug pipeline.
// Legal & Regulatory
Pharma dealt a loss over drug discount program
March 13, 2024 / 340B Drug Program / Pharmaceutical Restriction
The federal appeals court ruled Arkansas can limit pharmaceutical companies from restricting 340B program drug discounts, potentially paving the way for similar state laws, challenging drugmakers’ control over discount distribution.
US FDA declines to approve Viatris’s injection for multiple sclerosis
March 11, 2024 / GA Depot / FDA Decision / Viatris
The FDA declined approval for Viatris and Mapi Pharma’s monthly MS injection, GA Depot, pending further information, impacting their strategy but not altering Viatris’ 2024 financial projections.
FDA Decisions: Wegovy Approved for CV Indication; Viatris and Mapi’s MS Drug Rejected
March 11, 2024 / FDA Approvals / Wegovy / GA Depot
BioSpace’s FDA Decision Tracker for 2023 reviews key approvals and rejections, including Wegovy’s new CV indication approval and Viatris with Mapi’s MS drug rejection, highlighting the unpredictable nature of drug development.
Dexcom over-the-counter Stelo Glucose Biosensor wins FDA clearance
March 8, 2024 / Dexcom / Glucose Monitoring / FDA Approval
Dexcom’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor, a wearable for continuous glucose monitoring without a prescription, received FDA clearance. Designed for non-insulin-dependent adults, it aims to provide personalized glucose health insights.
BMS Wins FDA Approval for Opdivo in First-line Bladder Cancer
March 8, 2024 / Opdivo / Urothelial Carcinoma / FDA Approval
BMS has received FDA approval for Opdivo, combined with cisplatin and gemcitabine, as a first-line treatment for advanced urothelial carcinoma, aiming to change the treatment landscape despite strong competition.
// Research & Development
Empros Pharma to dose patients in Phase III obesity trial before end of year
March 14, 2024 / EMP16 Obesity Therapy / Clinical Trials
Empros Pharma is set to begin Phase III trials of its obesity combination therapy, EMP16, by the end of 2024, aiming to market the drug by early 2027 for better weight management.
Ionis Pharma’s fatty liver disease drug succeeds in mid-stage trial
March 13, 2024 / ION224 / Steatohepatitis / Clinical Success
Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ experimental drug for fatty liver disease, ION224, successfully met its main goal in a mid-stage trial, showing significant potential against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), with a notable improvement in liver scarring.
Jaguar Health balances ambitions for human and animal pharmaceuticals
March 12, 2024 / Crofelemer / Jaguar Health
Jaguar Health is focusing on developing crofelemer for both human and veterinary use, targeting conditions like chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, and plans for a Phase III trial readout and subsequent FDA applications.
Harvard and ONO Pharmaceutical Launch University-Wide Alliance to Address Multiple Disease Areas
March 11, 2024 / Harvard-ONO Alliance / Novel Drugs
Harvard University and ONO Pharmaceutical have initiated a wide-ranging alliance to enhance research in critical areas like oncology, immunology, and neurology, aimed at developing first-in-class therapeutics for various diseases.
AstraZeneca, Sanofi’s Beyfortus 90% Effective at Preventing RSV Hospitalizations: CDC
March 8, 2024 / Beyfortus / Respiratory Syncytial Virus / CDC Findings
AstraZeneca and Sanofi’s Beyfortus demonstrated 90% effectiveness against RSV-associated hospitalizations in infants, according to CDC data, potentially influencing infant RSV season prevention strategies.
// Politics
A Solution in Search of a Problem
March 13, 2024 / Biden’s / Healthcare Policy / Pharmaceutical Industry
President Biden’s proposal to expand drug-price controls within the Inflation Reduction Act threatens pharmaceutical innovation and supply without addressing real issues in healthcare spending.
Experts want Ecstasy and shrooms legalized. Government officials are behind the curve
March 12, 2024 / Psychedelics / Mental Health / Legalization
There is an increasing use of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA for treating mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, reflecting a shift in societal attitudes and medical research despite existing legal hurdles.
Oregon set to tighten rules for pharmacy benefit managers. Here’s what they do
March 10, 2024 / Oregon / PBMs / Healthcare Regulation
Oregon plans to enforce stricter regulations on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to enhance transparency and fairness, impacting how discounted drugs are dispensed and potentially setting a precedent for other states.
President Biden asks Congress for $12B to fund women’s health research
March 8, 2024 / Women’s Health / Biden Funding / Research Initiative
President Biden has requested Congress approve a $12 billion initiative to enhance women’s health research, emphasizing diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, and Alzheimer’s, driven by significant underfunding in the past.
Biden’s Pharma Plans Keep Industry Fighting On All Fronts
March 7, 2024 / Biden / Medicare
President Biden’s recent proposals target the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing Medicare price controls and expanding Inflation Reduction Act measures, despite industry pushback and legislative challenges.