Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:
1. Wall Street: GLP-1 competitors’ pain is Eli Lilly’s gain
Eli Lilly’s stock made considerable gains after lackluster data from potential GLP-1 competitor Amgen – which further established tirzepatide’s lead. Lilly’s stock spiked nearly 5% before closing at $725.38, reinforcing tirzepatide’s position as a leading drug in the obesity space.
2. ‘Ruthless’ pipeline cuts, obesity and China: Three takeaways from AstraZeneca’s Q4
AstraZeneca highlighted its potential entry into the obesity market and further China-based deals in its Q4. The company cut five programs to focus on its most promising opportunities, including a Phase II trial for diabetic kidney disease. AstraZeneca also announced three axed Phase III studies for different conditions.
3. Madrigal reports new safety data for NASH candidate resmetirom weeks ahead of PDUFA date
Madrigal revealed additional late-stage safety results for its nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) drug resmetirom. Initial reviews indicated the forthcoming FDA approval decision as positive, with diarrhea and nausea rates considered as early onset and potentially improving over time.
4. AstraZeneca CEO calls opening IRA drug price offer ‘relatively encouraging’
CEO Pascal Soriot stated that the government’s initial offer to AstraZeneca concerning drug price negotiations was relatively encouraging, given the industry’s low expectations.
5. Neurona raises $120M to take epilepsy cell therapy to late-stage development
Neurona Therapeutics secured $120 million in its latest private funding round. The fund will support the completion of an open-label study this year and carry its epilepsy cell therapy into a randomized Phase II in 2025.
6. Lilly picks a Foghorn target; Mineralys’ $120M PIPE; Sana’s $165M offering
Eli Lilly will proceed with clinical development for Foghorn’s oral BRM selective inhibitor, while Mineralys Therapeutics will support the development of its hypertension drug lorundrostat with a new $120M PIPE. Meanwhile, Sana Biotechnology seeks to raise $165M as part of a public offering.
