biotech2.79 min read
Caribou Biosciences Halts CAR-T Pipeline and Cuts Staff Amid Funding Freeze
2 days ago•Source: Fierce Biotech
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2.545 min•4 days ago
CSL Secures Co-Development Rights for Alentis Fibrosis Drug in $1.55B Deal
CSL has agreed to pay $355 million upfront and up to $1.2 billion in milestones to co-develop and co-commercialize Alentis Therapeutics' phase 2 fibrosis drug, lixudebart. The deal grants CSL 55% of profits and funding for trials in kidney and liver diseases, including a phase 3 study for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis.
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Vaxcyte’s 31-valent vaccine hits primary endpoints, sending shares up 57%
Fierce Biotech•4 days ago
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Genentech Licenses Alector’s Brain-Penetrant Parkinson’s Drug for $1.27B
Genentech has acquired exclusive global rights to Alector’s preclinical Parkinson’s candidate, AL050, in a deal worth up to $1.27 billion. The agreement includes a $100 million upfront payment and extends Alector’s cash runway to 2029.
biotech9 days ago
Sanofi and Regeneron Rebuild Alliance with $8B Immunology Deal
Sanofi and Regeneron have signed a new collaboration agreement worth up to $8 billion to develop four early-stage immunology assets. The deal includes a $1 billion upfront payment from Sanofi and up to $7 billion in potential milestone payments. This partnership aims to secure future growth for Sanofi as its blockbuster drug, Dupixent, faces patent expiration in 2031. The agreement also resolves a 2024 lawsuit filed by Regeneron against Sanofi over commercialization details. Regeneron will lead research and development for the assets, while Sanofi will handle global commercialization. The most advanced asset, REGN20423, is already in clinical trials for eczema.
Origin Genomics Founder Argues Gene-Editing Embryos Is a Moral Imperative
Cathy Tie, founder of Origin Genomics, argues that editing human embryos to prevent hereditary diseases is a moral imperative, despite current U.S. bans and safety concerns. While critics warn of eugenics and off-target risks, proponents cite new precise editing tools and patient demand for alternatives to IVF screening.
biotech11 days ago
Kodiak Sciences Stock Doubles as Zenkuda Matches Eylea in Phase 3 Trial
Kodiak Sciences shares surged 128% after its Phase 3 trial showed its eye drug Zenkuda matched the efficacy of Regeneron’s Eylea for wet age-related macular degeneration. The company plans to file for FDA approval in the fourth quarter of 2026, leveraging an AI-guided dosing strategy that allows longer intervals between injections.
Kodiak Sciences stock triples as Zenkuda matches Eylea in Phase 3 trial
Kodiak Sciences shares surged nearly 178% after its Phase 3 Daybreak trial results showed that both Zenkuda and tabirafusp-ted matched the efficacy of aflibercept (Eylea) for wet age-related macular degeneration. The company plans to file for FDA approval of Zenkuda in the fourth quarter of 2026, citing data that allows for extended dosing intervals.
biotech11 days ago
Roche Halts Emugrobart Obesity Trial After Failed Interim Analysis
Roche has terminated development of emugrobart, a myostatin-blocking antibody intended to preserve muscle during weight loss, after an interim analysis of its phase 2 Gyminda trial indicated the drug was unlikely to meet its endpoints. The company has returned the asset to its Japanese subsidiary, Chugai, which plans to resume development for spinal muscular atrophy and seek licensing partners. This setback follows earlier failures in muscular dystrophy trials and occurs as Roche expands its obesity portfolio through other deals.
Adicet Bio Reports Lupus Remissions in CAR-T Trial, Avoiding Safety Issues Seen in Rivals
Adicet Bio reported that its off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy, prula-cel, induced remission in over half of lupus patients in a Phase 1 trial. The treatment showed a favorable safety profile with no severe inflammatory events, distinguishing it from rival autologous therapies that recently faced trial pauses due to fatalities.
Kodiak Sciences Stock Surges 128% on Positive Phase 3 Eye Disease Trial Results
Kodiak Sciences shares jumped 128% after its Phase 3 DAYBREAK trial showed its drug Zenkuda matched the efficacy of aflibercept for wet age-related macular degeneration. The company plans to file for FDA approval in Q4 2026.
Kyverna reports durable, safe CAR-T results as rivals face safety pauses
Kyverna Therapeutics released one-year data for its CD19 CAR-T therapy, miv-cel, showing sustained efficacy and no severe safety events in stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis. The results contrast with recent safety pauses at Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb, supporting Kyverna's FDA submission for a potential first-in-class autoimmune treatment.
Telix to acquire ITM in $1.65B radiopharma merger with up-to-$700M earn-out
Telix Pharmaceuticals will acquire ITM Isotope Technologies in a deal worth at least $1.65 billion, with the potential to pay up to $700 million more if ITM’s lead radiopharmaceutical meets regulatory and sales milestones, creating a larger radiopharma player to compete with Novartis in the growing field.