In a dynamic week for the pharmaceutical industry, CytoDyn Inc. has announced the appointment of Dr. Jacob Lalezari as its interim CEO. Dr. Lalezari, a seasoned adviser to CytoDyn, steps into the role with a wealth of experience, having previously served as interim chief medical officer and a member of the scientific advisory board. Concurrently, Antonio Migliarese has been reinstated as CFO after a stint as interim president since May.
Virpax Pharmaceuticals has welcomed Gerald Bruce as its new CEO, while Novavax has created a new executive position, appointing John Trizzino as president and chief operating officer. Trizzino will also join the company’s executive leadership team. In a strategic move to bolster its board, C4 Therapeutics has added life sciences veteran Owen Hughes to its ranks.
Rakovina Therapeutics has strengthened its scientific advisory board by appointing Professor Petra Hamerlik, a distinguished figure in translational neuro-oncology from the University of Manchester and a former CNS cancer bioscience lead at AstraZeneca. SAB Biotherapeutics has also enhanced its board with the addition of Katie Ellias, managing director of JDRF T1D Fund LLC.
Mercury Bio has made a notable addition to its board by naming Mike Rice, former CEO of BioLife Solutions, to its ranks. Amidst these appointments, Novavax has announced the retirement of John Herrmann, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, effective December 8, with Mark Casey set to succeed him on December 11.
Virpax has accepted the resignation of Anthony P. Mack as CEO and chairman amidst ongoing litigation. In a significant licensing deal, BeiGene has acquired an exclusive global license to Ensem Therapeutics’ oral CDK2 inhibitor EXT-197, a deal potentially worth up to $1.3 billion in milestone payments.
Spectrum Science has expanded its portfolio by acquiring healthcare agencies CrowdPharm and Hot Iron Health (HIH). Viva Biotech has successfully completed a $210 million funding round, while Carmot Therapeutics is seeking to raise $100 million through an initial public offering.
Alto Neuroscience has raised $45 million in an oversubscribed Series C financing round. AstraZeneca has launched Evinova, a health-tech company focusing on digital technology and AI in clinical trials. Omnix Medical has received FDA approval for a Phase II trial of its novel anti-infective OMN6.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has unveiled a lawsuit against Pfizer and Tris Pharma, alleging the provision of ineffective ADHD medication to the state’s Medicaid program. Meanwhile, a Merck drug for chronic cough has faced skepticism from an FDA advisory panel, casting doubt on its approval.
The FDA has issued a warning against the use of Cardinal Health’s Monoject syringes with certain pain management pumps. Enanta Pharmaceuticals has cut its fiscal 2024 spending forecast. BillionToOne has entered a global collaboration with Janssen for a Phase 3 clinical trial using its UNITY fetal antigen clinical trial assay.
Bristol Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio have reported an FDA delay in the action on their cancer treatment Abecma. Evoke’s Inizio has launched Inizio Launch Elevate, a suite designed to streamline product launches for pharma and biotech firms. Medtronic has raised its fiscal 2024 forecast following robust sales in surgical and diabetes devices.
