Pharma and Biotech Daily: The Latest in Big Pharma Deals and Developments

01/24/25 • 1 min

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Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the Pharma and Biotech world.AbbVie has entered into a collaboration with Neomorph worth up to $1.64 billion for molecular glue. Neomorph, a protein degradation-focused company, has secured its third big pharma deal in less than a year. In other news, Vigil Neuroscience's Alzheimer's treatment has shown early promise in reducing Trem2 levels. Vanda lost a confidentiality complaint against the FDA. Biogen is trimming its research workforce while their higher-dose SMA drug is under regulatory review. Samsung Biologics has secured a $1.4 billion European contract. Teva's Copaxone receives a boxed warning from the FDA. Tris Pharma has recorded a late-stage win for a non-opioid painkiller. J&J predicts that deals are likely to shrink after their $14.6 billion acquisition of Intra-Cellular. In the biopharma industry, there are questions surrounding policies under the new administration. Gilead executives have started over with a new spinoff after almost 5 years into a $5 billion partnership with Galapagos.

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Pharma & Biotech Daily: J&J's Earnings, Chinese Licensing Deals, and Trump's Impact

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. During the latest Johnson & Johnson's Q4 earnings call, the company disclosed a total of $88.8 billion in sales for the full year. They also mentioned a shift in their acquisition strategy, moving towards smaller deals after the massive $14.6 billion purchase of Intra-Cellular. This change will see J&J focusing on single-digit billion buyouts in the future. Arrivent has joined the trend of Chinese licensing deals by potentially entering into a $1.2+ billion agreement with Lepu to advance an antibody-drug conjugate for gastrointestinal cancers. Meanwhile, Gilead is starting fresh after nearly five years into their $5 billion partnership with Galapagos, as they explore new opportunities with a spinoff company. President Trump's recent executive orders have sparked some concerns within the biopharma industry, despite most executives expressing a neutral stance towards his administration at the J.P. Morgan conference. The newsletter also covers topics such as FDA pausing Atara's programs, Chinese biotech Ascentage aiming for a $134 million IPO, and Johnson & Johnson's Spravato making advancements in the challenging depression space with monotherapy approval.Biopharma executives at J.P. Morgan maintained a neutral outlook towards the incoming Trump administration, but worries arose when Trump issued executive orders impacting the industry. Gilead's partnership with Galapagos is evolving after five years, leading to the creation of a new spinoff company. The rise of China's biopharma innovation may face obstacles due to Trump's trade policies. Other highlights from the newsletter include personal anecdotes from J.P. Morgan, Chinese biotech Ascentage gearing up for an IPO, SAGE taking legal action against Biogen, and investment trends for 2025 focusing on immunology and obesity. Notch Therapeutics announced layoffs, while companies like Akron Biotech, Visterra Inc., and Insmed Incorporated are currently hiring for various positions in the biopharma industry.

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Pharma and Biotech Daily: Novo's Breakthrough Obesity Drug, Merck's Keytruda Setback, and Industry Uncertainty

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.Novo has developed a next-generation obesity drug that has shown promising results with up to 22% weight loss in patients. This news comes after a disappointing performance from Cagrisema, which missed Novo's projection of 25% weight reduction in its phase III trial. In other news, Merck's keytruda combination therapy has failed to extend survival in phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials, indicating that the drug may be reaching its limits after numerous approvals. Aardvark Therapeutics has filed for an IPO to advance its lead candidate for obesity treatment. President Donald Trump's actions in his first week in office have caused upheaval in the biopharma industry, including a freeze on communications at major public health agencies. Additionally, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have settled opioid lawsuits for $7.4 billion, and Biogen is planning to cut research employees. AbbVie has partnered with Neomorph for a collaboration worth up to $1.64 billion. The biopharma industry is facing uncertainty due to Trump's initial policies and decisions.