GeneOnline’s Weekly News Highlights: July 17-21

GeneOnline’s editorial team has compiled a digest of top international biotechnology and healthcare news of the week to help readers keep abreast of global biomedical industry updates.

Positive Results for Donanemab in Phase 3 Alzheimer’s Trial

On July 17, Eli Lilly and Company announced positive results from the Phase 3 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study, showing that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in individuals with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment demonstrated a 35% reduction in clinical decline compared to placebo, with 47% of participants on donanemab showing no disease progression at 1 year. Over half of the participants completed their treatment course within 12 months, and the therapy showed meaningful results across all clinical endpoints.

Novartis Acquires DTx Pharma and Expands Its Neuroscience Pipeline 

On July 17, Novartis announced the acquisition of the preclinical-stage biotechnology company DTx Pharma for $500 million. According to the agreement, upon the completion of specified milestones, Novartis will make an additional payment of up to $500 million. Novartis will acquire the rights to DTx’s FALCON platform for siRNA therapeutic delivery and gain access to their lead program for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A (CMT1A).This acquisition will serve to bolster the Swiss healthcare company’s neuroscience pipeline. 

Sanofi and AstraZeneca’s RSV Antibody Drug Gets FDA Approval, Adding New Weapon for Preventing Infant Infections  

On July 17, the U.S. FDA approved nirsevimab (sold under the brand name Beyfortus) jointly developed by AstraZeneca (AZ) and Sanofi for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in newborns and infants up to 24 months of age. Beyfortus is the first monoclonal antibody approved to provide protection against RSV infection in all infants, and the duo plans to launch this product in the U.S. ahead of the upcoming 2023-2024 RSV season.

Pfizer Partners with Renowned Life Sciences VC to Build Pipeline Projected to be Worth $7 Billion 

On July 18, Pfizer announced a partnership with Flagship Pioneering, a renowned life sciences venture capital company to create a new pipeline of innovative medicines that could worth up to $7 billion. Flagship and Pfizer will each invest $50 million upfront to jointly explore opportunities to develop 10 single-asset programs by leveraging Flagship’s ecosystem of over 40 human health companies and multiple biotechnology platforms.

Scientists Have Identified 32 Proteins Associated to Dementia Risk 

A study published in Science Translational Medicine on July 19 has identified 32 proteins linked to the risk of developing dementia later in life. The researchers collected blood samples from over 10,000 participants over the age of 25 and studied their proteome. They examined 4877 proteins using a large-scale proteomics platform and were able to identify 32 proteins that were dysregulated. These proteins were not all found in the brain tissues, but they were all associated with an elevated chance of developing dementia in the future. These findings offer insights into the risk of developing dementia and could potentially contribute to the development of early detection tools.

Sanofi Inks Two Major Strategic R&D Collaborations in a Single Week

Sanofi secured two partnership deals for drug development and commercialization in a three-day stretch this week, with all upfront payments and royalties likely to total over $2.4 billion. The French pharma giant first signed a deal on July 18 with Scribe Therapeutics, founded by CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna, to expand their collaboration. Then on July 20, it entered into a strategic partnership with Recludix Pharma, a U.S.-based biotech that focuses on developing drugs for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Netherlands-based Argenx Raises $1.1 Billion in Global Offering Following Success in Clinical Trials 

The Netherlands-based immunology company Argenx announced the pricing of a global offering of public shares in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs). This clinical stage biotech company anticipates about $1.1 billion in total gross proceeds from the offering, which consists of both a U.S. offering and a private placement in Europe, with both transactions expected to close on July 24, 2023. The ADSs will be sold at a price of $490.00 per ADS and the ordinary shares at €436.37 per share.

Author

GeneOnline Team