Roche is acquiring Poseida Therapeutics, a biotech developing allogeneic cell therapies for cancers and immunological indications. The two companies have been partners in hematological malignancies since 2022.
Upstream Bio will use its IPO haul to continue clinical testing of verekitug, which it contends could be a better treatment option for severe asthma compared to a commercialized Amgen and AstraZeneca drug. CAMP4 Therapeutics and CeriBell also priced IPOs to join the public markets.
The progress in artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping patient care, across various dimensions, from facilitating faster discharge to curating treatment plans and suggesting lifestyle changes.
Bicara Therapeutics’ IPO raised $315 million raised for Phase 3 testing of a bifunctional antibody drug with potential to become a first-line treatment for head and neck cancers. Zenas BioPharma and MBX Biosciences also went public; all three companies upsized their IPOs.
Respiratory disease and immunology are the initial focus areas of GSK’s new drug discovery partnership with Flagship Pioneering. A similar Flagship alliance with Pfizer recently announced it is pursuing novel obesity treatments.
Abiologics develops biologic drugs from building blocks not used by nature, which it says confers these proteins with properties that make for better medicines. Founded by Flagship Pioneering, the startup is focusing on developing novel biologic treatments for cancer and immunology.
Alumis’s lead drug candidate blocks TYK2, an inflammation target that’s already addressed by Sotyktu, a Bristol Myers Squibb drug approved for plaque psoriasis. Alumis plans to begin two Phase 3 tests in this indication later this year.
The future looks bright for the integrated specialty pharmacy model – for health systems, providers, and most importantly, for patients.
Johnson & Johnson is acquiring a bispecific antibody that Numab Therapeutics engineered to address two pathways associated with the inflammation and itching of atopic dermatitis. It’s J&J’s second immunology acquisition this month.
Biogen’s acquisition of Human Immunology Biosciences brings a drug candidate with potential applications in multiple immune-mediated disorders. The deal comes just prior to the scheduled presentation of clinical data in two of them.
Johnson & Johnson’s Proteologix acquisition adds a pipeline of bispecific antibodies, including an experimental treatment for asthma and atopic dermatitis. It’s the latest M&A deal involving molecules addressing TSLP, a key signaling protein involved in inflammation.
Contineum Therapeutics plans to spend most of its IPO cash on clinical testing of a lead drug candidate in development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and multiple sclerosis. This small molecule blocks a competitive target pursued by several other companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb and AbbVie.
Closing cancer health equity gaps require medical breakthroughs made possible by new funding approaches.
AbbVie is acquiring Landos Biopharma, whose lead drug is a small molecule that takes a novel approach to treating ulcerative colitis. Preliminary proof-of-concept data from a Phase 2 study are expected later this year.
Mirador Therapeutics applies machine learning to human data to discover new immunology and inflammation drugs. The startup’s management includes several from the executive team of Prometheus Biosciences, an immunology biotech bought by Merck last year.
The FDA clinical hold follows a a report of liver failure that may be associated with zelnecirnon, an experimental Rapt Therapeutics drug. The biotech notes that no other patient has experienced liver problems and this safety signal has not been seen in any other tests of the molecule.
Cour Pharmaceuticals’ nanoparticles reprogram the immune system to stop inflammation behind autoimmune disease. Three big pharma companies joined the startup’s Series A financing, which will fund clinical trials in type 1 diabetes and myasthenia gravis.
AstraZeneca is paying $1 billion up front to acquire Gracell Biotechnologies, a clinical-stage cell therapy developer. The deal is the latest in a series of AstraZeneca moves intended to expand its presence in the burgeoning cell therapy field.