Novartis’ pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular events in the first Phase 3 outcomes trial of an Lp(a)-lowering drug, despite successfully lowering the genetically driven cardiovascular risk factor.
Novartis could pay up to $3.223 billion (€2.8 billion) for access to Alteogen’s technology for turning intravenous biologics into subcutaneous drugs. Behind the eye-catching figure is more than patient convenience: Drug delivery is becoming an increasingly important tool for lifecycle management and emerging drug classes.
Italian pharma Menarini Group has licensed European rights to bofanglutide for obesity and excess weight, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist from China’s Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals dosed once every two weeks, for €62 million upfront, up to €664 million in milestones, and “double-digit” royalties. Menarini will handle regulatory submissions and commercialization across 39 European markets.
French biotech Transgene said all 16 head and neck cancer patients treated with its personalized cancer vaccine TG4050 in a randomized Phase 1 trial remained disease-free after three years, while three of 16 patients in the control arm relapsed.
GSK has licensed ex-China rights to HUTCHMED’s HMPL-A830, an experimental antibody conjugate that delivers a KRAS inhibitor to EGFR-expressing tumors, in a deal worth up to $1.295 billion (€1.12 billion). The preclinical asset is expected to enter the clinic this year.
Swiss biotech NovaGo Therapeutics has raised CHF 24 million ($30 million/€25.5 million) in a Series B round to advance its lead anti-Nogo-A antibody into a randomized proof-of-concept study in patients with acute spinal cord injury. The financing was co-led by Neurimmune and Pureos, with participation from existing and new investors. The round is complemented by non-dilutive funding from the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and Wings for Life.
Novartis’ remibrutinib has beaten teriflunomide in two Phase 3 trials in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), adding another important clinical win for a class of BTK inhibitors that has endured several high-profile failures in autoimmune disease.
Roche has licensed Simcere Zaiming’s preclinical trispecific antibody SIM0660, paying $75 million (€65 million) upfront in a deal potentially worth $1.53 billion (€1.32 billion).
Belgian biotech Amyl Therapeutics has completed an €8.25 million Series A extension to fund work on its universal treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
Swiss biotech Adaptyv has raised a $40 million (€34.5 million) Series A to expand its automated protein-testing labs, betting that wet-lab capacity will become a critical bottleneck as AI models generate ever more biological designs.