Global science, local innovation: In an interview with European Biotech Magazine, WuXi AppTec Co-CEO Steve Yang explains why Europe remains a key source of scientific innovation, why the company continues to expand its Munich site despite geopolitical tensions, and why trust, quality, and international collaboration are essential for the future of drug discovery.
WuXi AppTec bets on expansion in Europe
Background, Latest NewsGlobal science, local innovation: In an interview with European Biotech Magazine, WuXi AppTec Co-CEO Steve Yang explains why Europe remains a key source of scientific innovation, why the company continues to expand its Munich site despite geopolitical tensions, and why trust, quality, and international collaboration are essential for the future of drug discovery.
Seasoned CSO takes the helm
AppointmentsAriane de Ganck, PhD, took over the position as new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Ardena. She started in 2019 at the Ghent-based CDMO/CRO.
Draig raises $65M Series B as depression trials advance
Latest NewsWelsh biotech Draig Therapeutics has raised an oversubscribed $65 million Series B to accelerate its neuropsychiatry pipeline, taking its total funding to $205 million little more than a year after emerging from stealth.
CriteriaCaixa targets €300M for biotech and tech by 2030
Latest NewsSpanish investment holding company CriteriaCaixa plans to invest €300m in early-stage biotechnology and technology companies by 2030 through its two specialist venture funds.
Targeted Protein Degradation: Designed to destroy
Background, Latest NewsTargeted protein degradation (TPD) has moved from a highly experimental concept to one of the most closely watched modalities in biopharma. What began with first-generation PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) has evolved into a broader “induced proximity” field that now includes molecular glue degraders, degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs), lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs), RNA degraders and other proximity-based therapeutics.
PharmNovo raises €3.5M for phase 2 pain trial
Latest NewsSwedish biotech PharmNovo has raised about SEK39m (€3.5m) to help finance a phase 2 study of PN6047, its experimental treatment for neuropathic pain.
AB Science cuts three trials in pipeline reset
Latest NewsFrench biotech AB Science is discontinuing three masitinib trials as it concentrates its clinical resources on an ALS phase 3 programme and the early-stage development of AB8939 in acute myeloid leukaemia.
Roche drops two Huntington’s programmes from Ionis
Latest NewsRoche has discontinued two Huntington’s disease programmes after its Ionis-partnered drug tominersen failed to improve patients’ symptoms and a separate candidate raised concerns in animal studies.
AstraZeneca and Ionis miss in key ATTR-CM trial
Latest NewsAstraZeneca and Ionis have suffered a major late-stage setback after Wainua/Wainzua (eplontersen) failed to hit the primary endpoint in a phase 3 trial in transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), denting hopes that the RNA-targeted therapy could compete in one of cardiology’s fastest-growing rare disease markets.
GSK ends Alector neuroscience deal after trial failures
Latest NewsGSK has pulled out of its neuroscience collaboration with Alector, ending a 2021 alliance that began with a $700m upfront payment but has since been hit by two clinical setbacks.