Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world.Vinay Prasad's departure from CBER has analysts anticipating a more traditional successor, while GSK streamlines its pipeline and pledges billions in US investments. Susan Monarez is now the confirmed CDC director, and the top biopharma venture capital raises of H1 2025 are summarized. Despite challenges like layoffs and market fluctuations, GSK remains committed to investing in the US despite tariffs. Other headlines include Madrigal's potential $2 billion investment, Biogen and Eisai's Alzheimer's drug update, and Novo Nordisk's new leadership. Trilink Biotechnologies is offering self-amplifying RNA constructs for potential therapeutic advancements.AI biotech companies have secured substantial funding in the first half of 2025, with continued investment pouring into startups within the industry. The top five biopharma venture capital raises of this period are highlighted. There is confusion surrounding Ira's definition of 'drug,' potentially hindering companies from pursuing approval for new formulations and indications. Vinay Prasad's departure from the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, following controversies related to Sarepta, has raised concerns among developers. Despite challenges, four biotech companies are successfully launching their products independently.Over 260 million people are impacted by rare diseases, emphasizing the need for faster evidence generation through global real-world data. GSK's commitment to investing in the US, Merck's cost-cutting measures to support its launch schedule, and Novo Nordisk's new leadership are also highlighted. The FDA has updated regulations regarding Sarepta's DMD gene therapy, making it available for ambulatory patients. Adaptimmune anticipates significant staff reductions following a cell therapy asset sale. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments 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. Novo Nordisk has announced Maziar Mike Doustdar as its new CEO, along with a 5% reduction in its 2025 sales guidance. This decision comes as a response to the slowed growth of its semaglutide franchise in the U.S. Senate Democrats are currently looking into HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s controversial move to dismiss all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. Astrazeneca CEO Pascal Soriot emphasized the importance of global collaboration in pharmaceutical research and development. Merck has allocated $3 billion to support upcoming product launches. In a surprising turn of events, the FDA has reversed its decision on Sarepta, now permitting DMD gene therapy for ambulatory patients.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. GSK has entered a partnership with Hengrui worth up to $12 billion, focusing on the COPD candidate HRS-9821. The FDA's new voucher policy has caused confusion among experts, as it lacks clear definition and was announced without public input. The American Medical Association urges RFK Jr. to maintain the preventive task force, and Sarepta denies a patient death is linked to Elevidys as the FDA launches a probe. Biopharma companies are leaning towards holistic treatments for Alzheimer's, while Atai-partnered schizophrenia drug fails in a mid-stage trial. Boehringer partners with Irish startup Re-Vana in a $1 billion+ eye deal.As the Alzheimer's space becomes more competitive, biopharma companies are focusing on holistic treatments beyond disease-modifying drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla. Companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Acadia, Otsuka, and Lundbeck are renewing their search for symptomatic treatments. Five upcoming data drops could potentially lead to more effective therapies for Alzheimer's. Sarepta Therapeutics is facing challenges due to safety concerns surrounding its gene therapies, leading to a drop in stock value. The FDA's new voucher program aims to offer accelerated pathways for drugs meeting certain criteria, but experts criticize the lack of transparency and public input in the policy's announcement. Sarepta's future is uncertain as the FDA considers a new study for Elevidys, and the EU issues a negative opinion on the drug. Other news includes delays in the FDA decision on GSK's Blenrep, AstraZeneca's PIII win with nanobody treatment for myasthenia gravis, and the removal of thimerosal from influenza vaccines. George Tidmarsh has been appointed as the new chief of FDA's CDER.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world. The European Medicines Agency's CHMP did not recommend approving Elevidys for ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, dealing a blow to Sarepta. FDA is rumored to request new data for Elevidys, leading to uncertainty as FDA considers a new study for the drug. In other news, Eli Lilly commits $856 million to Gate Bioscience for a new class of medicines, while Rocket trims headcount and pipeline focus. Roche also drops an early obesity asset as layoffs continue in the biopharma industry, with companies like Adicet optimizing their pipelines. Novartis makes a billion-dollar drug discovery deal with Matchpoint, and the FDA opens a pilot run of the commissioner voucher program.Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world.

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 dropped an early-stage obesity asset, CT-173, citing lack of competitiveness. Novartis has entered into a drug discovery deal with Matchpoint Therapeutics, acquiring global rights on all molecules for several inflammatory diseases. AstraZeneca claims a Phase III win with its nanobody treatment for myasthenia gravis. Second-quarter earnings season is approaching, and biotechs to watch include Sarepta and others facing challenges in the biopharma industry. Genentech downsizes as priorities shift, and GSK's comeback for Blenrep is on pause as the FDA delays its decision. The FDA's lack of transparency has tarnished Sarepta's reputation after patient deaths triggered an FDA battle. Opportunities in the industry include roles like Quality Specialist at CSL and Clinical Research Physician at Eli Lilly and Company.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. The FDA has initiated a voucher program to address lower drug prices and boost domestic investment, with up to five companies being selected based on national priorities. Roche has halted shipments of Sarepta's Elevidys gene therapy after reports of patient deaths. Sarepta is under FDA scrutiny following a third patient death, while the agency welcomes a new top drug regulator and rejects multiple new drugs from entering the market. Insights from women in biopharma highlight the importance of resilience. Zhen Li, an engineer, is playing a crucial role in shaping the field of siRNA. Research suggests that GLP-1s may offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases. Dispatch Bio enters the scene with a substantial $216 million investment for universal CAR T therapy. Sarepta complies with an FDA request to suspend US shipments of Elevidys, raising concerns about transparency and impacting the company's reputation. Replimune experiences a significant drop in stock value following an FDA rejection, while AstraZeneca makes a bold $50 billion investment in US manufacturing to prepare for potential tariffs. Thank you for tuning in to Pharma and Biotech daily for the latest updates in the industry.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. Sarepta Therapeutics has halted the distribution of Elevidys in the US after the FDA request, following two deaths. The company's transparency has been called into question, affecting its stock value. Replimmune also faced setbacks after the FDA rejected its melanoma treatment, causing a significant drop in shares. On a more positive note, AstraZeneca has pledged $50 billion for US manufacturing, focusing on drugs like Baxdrostat and oral glp-1 therapies. Sanofi has made a $1.6 billion vaccine acquisition, while Biogen commits $2 billion to expand US drug production. The pharmaceutical industry is seeing various developments and challenges, with companies adapting to regulatory demands and market pressures.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world.George Tidmarsh, a biopharma veteran and adjunct professor at Stanford's medical school, has been appointed as the new head of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). His extensive industry experience will be valuable in his new government position. Data secrecy among cell and gene therapy developers is hindering progress in the field, causing fragmentation, stalling innovation, and delaying access to treatments. Meanwhile, Sarepta is facing challenges with its elevidys shipments and has lost platform designation for its technology. At the same time, Roche's phase III trial in COPD has failed, impacting the market path for astegolimab. Layoffs are happening at companies like GSK, Sail, and BioNTech. Experts are exploring new ways to overcome barriers in cell therapy production.Data secrecy among cell and gene therapy developers continues to hinder progress and access to treatments. Acadia has introduced a new team and pipeline with ambitious goals. Patients are fighting for access to Brainstorm's ALS drug after promising real-world data. Moderna's withdrawal of its flu vaccine has left combination flu/COVID-19 vaccines in limbo. In other news, Sarepta is facing challenges with its DMD gene therapy, Ultragenyx's gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome is rejected by the FDA, GSK's Blenrep loses an adcomm vote, and BMS' anemia drug Reblozyl fails a Phase III trial. The FDA is experiencing layoffs and employee turnover amid an overhaul. Vinay Prasad overruled reviewers on Moderna's COVID-19 shot for kids. Upcoming events include a webinar on AI for real-world research and job opportunities in the biopharma industry. Readers are encouraged to provide feedback and suggest topics for future coverage.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world. Sarepta Therapeutics experienced a significant drop in shares as the FDA considers requesting a halt to shipments of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy Elevidys. This decision comes after a third patient death linked to the underlying platform. The company's stock plummeted by 37% on Friday afternoon as reports of the potential shipment stop circulated in the media. This news adds to the already turbulent week for Sarepta, which has been facing challenges in its gene therapy and siRNA biotech developments. ## Novartis announced positive results from a phase 3 trial of its drug Cosentyx in treating axial spondyloarthritis. The study showed that patients treated with Cosentyx had significant improvements compared to those on a placebo. These results further solidify Novartis' position in the market for treatments of autoimmune diseases. The company plans to submit the data to regulatory authorities for potential approval of this indication.Novartis revealed encouraging outcomes from a phase 3 trial of its drug Cosentyx for treating axial spondyloarthritis. The study demonstrated that patients who received Cosentyx experienced notable enhancements compared to those who were given a placebo. These findings strengthen Novartis' standing in the autoimmune disease treatment market. The company intends to present the data to regulatory bodies for potential approval of this indication.## AstraZeneca faced setbacks as it announced delays in delivering its COVID-19 vaccine doses to the EU. The company cited production issues as the cause of the holdup, leading to frustration among European officials. This news comes at a time when vaccine distribution is crucial in combating the ongoing pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in meeting global demand for vaccines.AstraZeneca encountered obstacles when it disclosed delays in distributing its COVID-19 vaccine doses to the EU. The company attributed production problems as the reason for the delay, causing frustration among European officials. This development occurs during a critical period in vaccine distribution to combat the current pandemic, underscoring the difficulties pharmaceutical companies encounter in meeting worldwide vaccine demands.## Pfizer and BioNTech announced plans to test a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine to assess its effectiveness against new variants of the virus. The study will involve participants who have already received two doses of the vaccine and will evaluate the immune response generated by a booster shot. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts by pharmaceutical companies to adapt their vaccines to combat emerging strains of the virus.Pfizer and BioNTech unveiled intentions to examine a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine to determine its efficacy against new virus variants. The research will include individuals who have already been administered two doses of the vaccine and will assess the immune response produced by an additional shot. This undertaking demonstrates continuous endeavors by pharmaceutical firms to modify their vaccines in response to evolving virus mutations.

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the Pharma and Biotech world. Sarepta Therapeutics has recently experienced an 18% increase in its stock value following a significant business overhaul, which included staff layoffs and pipeline shifts. Analysts are cautiously optimistic about the company's future. At the same time, patients are advocating for access to Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics' ALS drug, Nurown, after promising results from an expanded access program. In other news, Novartis is in the process of reshoring its drug manufacturing operations in the US, a move that may take several years to complete. Additionally, a notable number of employees have departed from the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research amidst an overhaul by the Department of Health and Human Services. These developments underscore the continuous changes and challenges within the pharmaceutical industry. Sarepta Therapeutics recently announced a strategic overhaul, which involved cutting 500 staff members and shifting focus to sirna platform assets. This decision came after two patients passed away following treatment with its Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, Elevidys. The company has also added a black box warning for acute liver injury and failure to Elevidys as it pivots away from gene therapy programs.