Biotech Catch-up

Welcome to Biotech Catch-Up. I'm Harry.

This week, we break down five major biotech and pharma stories from October 5 to October 9, 2026.

1. AbbVie & Genmab — Major Phase 3 win in blood cancer

AbbVie and Genmab reported positive Phase 3 results for epcoritamab combined with R-CHOP in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 51% compared with R-CHOP alone, potentially bringing bispecific antibodies into frontline lymphoma treatment.

Official source: AbbVie announcement

2. BridgeBio — FDA Priority Review for oral achondroplasia treatment

The FDA accepted BridgeBio's application for infigratinib, an oral treatment for children with achondroplasia, and granted Priority Review. In the Phase 3 PROPEL 3 study, patients receiving infigratinib grew approximately 2.1 centimeters more per year than those receiving placebo. An FDA decision is expected on February 4, 2027.

Official source: BridgeBio announcement

3. Cerevance — Positive Phase 3 results in Parkinson's disease

Cerevance reported positive Phase 3 results for solengepras, an oral GPR6 inhibitor for Parkinson's disease. In the ARISE study involving 341 patients, the higher dose reduced daily OFF time by approximately 37 minutes compared with placebo after 12 weeks. The results support a potential new treatment approach beyond traditional dopamine-based therapies.

Official source: Cerevance announcement

4. argenx — Phase 3 setback and Phase 2 success

argenx announced that it would discontinue its Phase 3 UNITY study of Vyvgart in Sjögren's disease after an interim review indicated the trial was unlikely to meet its primary endpoint. On the same day, the company reported positive Phase 2 results for FB102 in celiac disease, highlighting both the opportunities and risks of developing treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Official sources: argenx Phase 3 update | FB102 Phase 2 results

5. FDA approves Aicuris' Hovilpri for resistant herpes infections

The FDA approved Hovilpri (pritelivir), developed by Aicuris, now owned by Asahi Kasei, for certain difficult-to-treat herpes infections in adults with weakened immune systems. In a Phase 3 study, 63% of patients receiving Hovilpri achieved complete healing within 28 days, compared with 34% receiving other available treatments. The approval introduces a new antiviral mechanism for patients with limited treatment options.

Official source: FDA approval announcement

Biotech Catch-Up makes major biotech news easier to follow by explaining what happened, why it matters, and what investors should watch next.

Welcome to Biotech Catch-up. I’m Harry.

This week, we break down five major biotech and pharma stories from September 28 to October 2, 2026.

1. Novartis & Abogen — A major mRNA deal
Novartis signed a licensing and option agreement with China-based Abogen Biosciences, including $575 million upfront for ABO2203, an mRNA-encoded CD19×CD3 T-cell engager being developed for autoimmune diseases. The deal also highlights the growing role of Chinese biotech in global drug development.
Official source: Abogen Biosciences announcement

2. AstraZeneca invests $2 billion in Summit Therapeutics
AstraZeneca made a $2 billion equity investment in Summit and will test Summit’s PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, together with AstraZeneca’s ADC portfolio. The deal provides another major vote of confidence in PD-1/VEGF combinations in cancer.
Official source: AstraZeneca announcement

3. Lilly’s retatrutide delivers strong Phase 3 obesity data
In the TRIUMPH-2 study, patients receiving 12 mg of retatrutide lost an average 20.8% of their body weight over 80 weeks. The triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist is becoming an important benchmark for the next generation of obesity drugs.
Official source: Eli Lilly TRIUMPH-2 results

4. Sanofi & Regeneron expand their immunology partnership
Sanofi will pay Regeneron $1 billion upfront, with up to $7 billion in additional milestones, to develop four next-generation immunology antibody programs. The partnership appears designed to build the next wave of treatments around the successful Dupixent franchise.
Official source: Sanofi announcement

5. FDA approves AbbVie’s Juvmo for Parkinson’s disease
The FDA approved Juvmo, or tavapadon, as the first selective D1/D5 dopamine receptor agonist for adults with Parkinson’s disease. The approval also provides an important commercial validation of AbbVie’s acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics.
Official source: AbbVie approval announcement

Biotech Catch-Up makes major biotech news easier to follow by explaining what happened, why it matters, and what investors should watch next.

Welcome to Biotech Catch-up. I’m Harry.

This episode covers five major biotech news stories from September 21–25, 2026.

1. Viking reported that patients maintained much of their earlier weight loss on less frequent injections during a 12-week period. The next question is whether that result lasts in larger and longer studies.

2. Vertex reported reductions in a marker of kidney damage with inaxaplin. Its larger AMPLITUDE trial is the more important test ahead.

3. GRAIL received a favorable FDA advisory vote for Galleri. The recommendation matters, but the test has not received FDA premarket approval.

4. Johnson & Johnson reported positive Phase 3 results for Caplyta in bipolar mania. Caplyta is approved for other uses; this proposed use needs further evidence and regulatory review.

5. ADARx and Iambic added to the list of biotech companies testing the IPO market. Their filings tell us about financing plans, not whether their drugs will work.