Pharma and BioTech Daily

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. Viking Therapeutics has reported promising phase I data for their oral weight loss drug, VK2735, with patients on 100-miligram doses losing 8.2% of their body weight after 28 days. Jefferies analyst Roger Song described the results as "class-leading." In other news, Biontech exceeded expectations in the third quarter due to the early approval of its updated COVID-19 vaccine, while Novo Nordisk signed a $285 million deal with Ascendis to develop novel GLP-1 candidates. Additionally, there is growing interest in using CAR T therapies for autoimmune diseases, with researchers exploring whether these treatments can be repurposed to treat conditions like lupus and myasthenia gravis. Multiple companies are investigating the potential of these therapies in combating misdirected immune responses.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy showed significant improvement in liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in a Phase III trial. Bristol Myers Squibb reported strong third-quarter results, while Regeneron had mixed sales results. Eli Lilly's third-quarter miss highlights their dependency on wholesaler stocking decisions. Lexicon lost an FDA advisory committee vote, and Merck lowered its full-year sales guidance despite strong Q3 results. Compass Pathways is laying off 30% of its employees. Novartis received FDA approval for Scemblix in certain CML patients. Opportunities for job seekers are available in the biotech industry.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. Merck exceeded Q3 expectations but adjusted its 2024 guidance downwards due to underwhelming revenues from Gardasil and Januvia. Novo is making progress in resolving shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy. Amgen is gearing up for the release of obesity data for Maritide. AbbVie surpassed Q3 estimates thanks to Skyrizi and Rinvoq, despite Humira falling short. The FDA announced full availability of Novo's Ozempic and Wegovy after previous shortages. Compass has postponed pivotal trial results for psilocybin and reduced staff by 30%. Novartis secured first-line approval for Scemblix in specific CML patients. Pfizer's Q3 earnings were robust, with numerous deals being made as the election approaches. Smaller funds are starting to invest in early-stage science as larger VCs raise billions.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. Eli Lilly experienced lower-than-expected sales for its weight loss and diabetes drugs in the third quarter, causing its stock to drop by over 13%. Biogen, on the other hand, exceeded expectations for its Alzheimer's drug Leqembi. Biomarin surpassed sales estimates for its drug Voxzogo, while Sage reported revenue growth for Zurzuvae. Biogen also signed a deal with Neomorph. Additionally, Lilly has modified the dosing of its Alzheimer's drug Kisunlan to lower brain swelling, and Novartis has secured expansion for its CML drug Scemblix. Small funds are investing in early-stage science, and there have been recent job openings in the biotech industry.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world. Pfizer exceeded Wall Street's expectations in the third quarter, reporting higher revenue and adjusted profit amid pressure from activist investor Starboard Value. CEO Albert Bourla received a much-needed victory as the company performed well despite the challenges. In other news, Novartis also beat analyst expectations in Q3, driven by strong sales of Cosentyx. Wuxi Apptec, a Chinese contract manufacturer, continues to attract new clients despite potential threats from the BioSecure Act. The upcoming presidential election could impact the biopharma industry differently under Harris or Trump, with some analysts suggesting Trump may be more positive for the industry overall. Pfizer's success in Q3 and other developments in the biopharma industry, including new partnerships and drug approvals, are also highlighted.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.AbbVie has acquired Aliada Therapeutics for $1.4 billion, gaining access to a phase I anti-amyloid antibody and a novel platform for efficient blood-brain barrier transport. Meanwhile, the FDA's accelerated approval program is facing setbacks as therapies for rare and neurological diseases earn accelerated approval but are later withdrawn from the market. Novartis has signed a potential $2.2 billion deal with Monte Rosa for molecular glue degraders targeting Vav1, while Biogen and Vertex have presented mid-stage readouts for iga nephropathy treatments. Analysts are optimistic about the potential of these treatments in the autoimmune disorder space. Sarepta's recent presentations on elevidys for Duchenne leave the community wanting more, while Revolution Medicines targets hard-to-treat pancreatic cancer with early-phase readouts. Iterum has won FDA approval for an oral UTI antibiotic and is seeking strategic transactions for the asset. Overall, new therapies are set to revolutionize treatment for genetic disorders like AATD.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.Sanofi beat third-quarter forecasts with a 381% growth in sales of its newly launched respiratory syncytial virus antibody, Beyfortus, bringing in almost $700 million. Analysts expect similar sales in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla is facing pressure from activist investor Starboard Value, but analysts are supporting him. In other news, Intellia's CRISPR gene editor showed an 81% reduction in hereditary angioedema attacks in a phase II study, while Tyra Biosciences is challenging J&J's Balversa with early data for an FGFR3 blocker in urothelial carcinoma. Trilink Biotechnologies has expanded its mRNA synthesis services offerings with custom sets of mRNA for screening studies. USP aims to double and diversify its volunteer applicant pool for the 2025-2030 cycle, and the CDC has reaffirmed RSV vaccination guidelines. Marinus has had layoffs after a disappointing phase III trial. Other news includes Novo's semaglutide linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk, Massachusetts tax incentives for biotech companies creating jobs, and various job openings in the biopharma industry.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. A study has found that Novo Nordisk's semaglutide may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 40% to 70%. Roche has entered a potential $1 billion gene therapy deal with Dyno Therapeutics, focusing on neurological diseases. Off-label prescribing of GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 1 diabetes has increased, despite lack of FDA approval. Viking Therapeutics plans to accelerate the development of an obesity drug with two Q4 catalysts. Trilink Biotechnologies has expanded its mRNA synthesis services offerings for screening studies. The USP aims to double its volunteer applicant pool, while a CDC panel recommends pneumococcal vaccines for adults aged 50-64. Updates on companies like Catalent, Sangamo, and Moderna are also included in today's news. Additionally, the FDA has approved Pfizer's Abrysvo as the first RSV vaccine for younger adults.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.Roche CEO opposes Novo Holdings' acquisition of Catalent, urging for it to be blocked. Roche exceeded Q3 sales expectations, driven by the success of drugs like Ocrevus and Vabysmo. Pfizer's RSV vaccine has been approved by the FDA for a wider adult population. Novo Nordisk has raised concerns with the FDA about the complexity of compounders producing its drug Semaglutide. Alto Neuroscience's depression treatment did not meet expectations in a mid-stage trial, echoing Acelyrin's setback last year. Trilink Biotechnologies has launched customized mRNA sets for screening studies. Updates on Trodelvy's withdrawal for bladder cancer, Sage Therapeutics' layoffs, and more are also featured. Pfizer has downsized with 75 job cuts at a North Carolina site. Opportunities in the life sciences industry are also highlighted.Thank you for listening to Pharma and Biotech Daily, stay tuned for more updates.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world. Roche has ended its collaboration with UCB on Alzheimer's treatments, marking the third candidate dropped by Roche this year. Meanwhile, activist investor Starboard has set its sights on Kenvue, a division of J&J, following its $1 billion stake in Pfizer. In other news, the FDA has rejected Camurus' treatment for a rare hormonal disorder due to manufacturing issues, while Lilly is ramping up legal action against tirzepatide copycats. Trilink Biotechnologies has introduced custom sets of mRNA for screening studies, offering flexibility and expedited discovery work. Additionally, the FDA has approved Astellas' first-in-class gastric cancer treatment. Pfizer has also announced layoffs in Kansas, and Nucleus, a radiopharma-focused CDMO, is expanding with new plants. These developments reflect the dynamic landscape of the pharmaceutical industry.