Boehringer Ingelheim has reported new Phase III data for survodutide, its once-weekly dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist for obesity, highlighting reductions in body weight, visceral fat and liver fat. The results, presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, strengthen the company’s case that survodutide could offer a differentiated profile in metabolic disease, although gastrointestinal tolerability remains a key question.
Novartis and Orionis get stuck in with new “molecular glue” R&D deal worth up to $1.4bn
Latest NewsOrionis and Novartis have expanded an existing deal to develop “molecular glue”, with a new agreement worth up to $1.4 billion, aiming to stick small molecule drugs onto challenging and elusive drug targets.
Heidelberg-based Veraxa ventures onto Nasdaq in turbulent market environment
Latest NewsVeraxa Biotech, an oncology company spun out of research at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), has completed its merger with SPAC company Voyager Acquisition Corp. and will be trading as of today on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol VRXA. For the company, which has roots in the Heidelberg region, the move marks its transition from a research-driven company to a publicly listed biotech developer.
Scenic Biotech joins Michael J. Fox LRRK2 consortium with a novel lysosomal bet on Parkinson’s
Latest NewsScenic Biotech has joined the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LRRK2 consortium to test a Parkinson’s disease approach that targets neither LRRK2 nor GCase directly.
Sanofi’s $11.6bn Bioverativ purchase looks hit-and miss after phase 3 rare diseases drug runs into trouble
Latest NewsSanofi’s $11.6bn Bioverativ acquisition is back under scrutiny after riliprubart, a rare disease drug inherited through the deal, failed a phase 3 CIDP study. While Altuviiio has become a blockbuster, the latest setback raises fresh questions about whether the Bioverativ pipeline can justify its price tag.
Circio completes NOK300m financing to fund circular RNA platform development
Latest NewsOslo-based Circio has completed a NOK300m (€27m) financing round, extending its runway to the end of 2030 and giving the company funds to advance its circVec circular RNA expression platform toward IND-enabling development and clinical proof-of-concept.
AlzeCure shares soar over 300% after Eli Lilly strikes Alzheimer’s deal worth over $1bn
Latest NewsSwedish biotech AlzeCure Pharma entered a collaboration and licensing agreement with Eli Lilly, granting the biopharma giant global rights to its Alzheimer’s disease candidate Alzstatin (ACD680). Under the terms of the deal, Alzecure will receive $10 million upfront and could receive more than $1 billion in development and commercial milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties on future sales.
Boehringer/Zealand obesity drug delivers Phase III weight loss, but side effects raise questions
Latest NewsBoehringer Ingelheim has reported new Phase III data for survodutide, its once-weekly dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist for obesity, highlighting reductions in body weight, visceral fat and liver fat. The results, presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, strengthen the company’s case that survodutide could offer a differentiated profile in metabolic disease, although gastrointestinal tolerability remains a key question.
Bial drops pariceract after Phase IIb failure in GBA-associated Parkinson’s
Latest NewsPortuguese drugmaker BIAL has discontinued development of BIA 28-6156, also known as pariceract, after a Phase IIb study failed to show that the oral therapy could slow progression in patients with GBA-associated Parkinson’s disease. The readout marks a setback for one of the more advanced attempts to turn Parkinson’s genetics into a disease-modifying therapy.
GSK taps Engitix’s platform in liver fibrosis deal worth up to £44.5m upfront
Latest NewsLondon-based Engitix Ltd has entered a strategic research collaboration and option agreement with GSK to discover and validate new therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis regression, adding another pharma partnership to its extracellular matrix-driven drug discovery platform.
Next-gen oligonucleotides to transform patient care
Sponsored PublicationsSecarna Pharmaceuticals is redefining the discovery and development of oligonucleotide therapeutics to address hard-to-treat disorders. The Company is planning to raise a Series A to advance its lead oncology asset, SECN-15, into Phase 1/2. Secarna is supported by global partnerships that validate their expertise and accelerate development.