Sanofi SA has received FDA marketing approval for Wayrilz (rilzabrutinib). Unlike three existing causal treatments for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), the oral drug inhibits both processes that drive the autoimmune disease. Analysts therefore predict peak sales twice as high as those of previously approved ITP drugs.

Stick, Tag, Destroy: The Science of PROTACs and MGDs – For a long time, traditional drug research focused on inhibitors that block the active sites of disease-related proteins. However, around 80% of these proteins remain “undruggable” because they lack clear binding sites.

British company Sitala Bio Ltd, founded in 2021 by NLRP3 inflammasome expert Matt Cooper, is paying US$670m and giving up to 10% of its shares to Chinese company Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. in exchange for the development and marketing rights to the low-molecular-weight inflammation blocker FXS6837.

Eli Lilly, the US market leader in the lucrative diabetes and obesity space, is now challenging its competitor Novo Nordisk in the area of oral GLP-1 receptor agonists. Lilly’s orforglipron has met the primary endpoint of its registration study and is set to be submitted for approval in the United States.

Norway-based Calluna Pharma A/S has initiated patient recruitment in late August for its Phase II AURORA trial investigating safety and efficacy of CAL101, a monoclonal antibody with unique mode of action to cure idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Following the commercial launch of BioArctic AB’s Alzheimer’s antibody lecanemab, the Swedish company has announced a new deal: it will receive an upfront payment of US$30m, granting the Swiss company access to BioArctic’s BrainTransporter platform to transport therapeutics for neurodegeneration across the blood-brain barrier

Swedish BioArctic AB’s partner Eisai Pharma has started the European roll-out of their Alzheimer’s antibody lecanemab in Austria that will be followed by the German launch on September 1, 2025.

Messegeschehen / Trade fair activity

POWTECH TECHNOPHARM (Nuremberg, 23-25 September 2025) is the international trade fair for process engineering experts and a tailor-made technology platform for the pharmaceutical and life science industries.

The US and EU have confirmed a trade agreement involving US import tariffs of 15% on prescription medicines. Generics manufacturers will face a maximum tariff of 2.5%.

Swedish AlzeCure Pharma AB recently appointed Cecilia Wadell as Head of Development. She joins also the management team.