Latest Pharma and Biotech News
Pharmaceutical
6 November 2025 Arena BioWorks, a privately funded biomedical research institute that aimed to overhaul the traditional drug discovery model, has closed its doors less than two years after its $500 million launch. The decision follows what its founding investor group called “dramatic changes” in biotech market conditions, with no clear recovery in sight.
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Pharmaceutical
US pharma major Pfizer has reported positive Phase III data that could help validate its $43 billion Seagen takeover, with results from the HER2CLIMB-05 study showing its drug Tukysa (tucatinib) improved outcomes in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. 15 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
Swiss biotech Relief Therapeutics has agreed to merge with privately held NeuroX Group in a transaction valuing NeuroX at 1 billion Swiss francs ($1.1 billion) and Relief at 100 million francs. The deal, expected to close in December, will create a publicly traded company focused on AI-driven neurology treatments. 15 October 2025
Biotechnology
insitro, a US pioneer in machine learning–driven drug discovery and development, and pharma major Bristol Myers Squibb have announced the next phase of their collaboration to discover new molecules with potential as new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 15 October 2025
Biotechnology
Shares of US clinical stage biopharma Candel Therapeutic closed down 10.4% at $5.78 on Tuesday after it revealed it has entered into a five-year, $130 million term loan facility with Trinity Capital. 15 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
If recent top-line reads deliver on the big stage, this week's ESMO 2025 could re-draw standards across breast, genitourinary, gynaecologic and colorectal cancers—powered by three recurring themes: ADCs stepping earlier, radioligand therapy moving upstream and immuno-oncology showing life beyond metastatic niches. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
Aurélie-Anne Chausse has joined the Kyowa Kirin International (KKI) unit of Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Kirin in the France and Benelux-focused role of general manager, central cluster. 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
North Carolina, USA-based biotech BioCryst Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquired Astria Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing life-changing therapies for allergic and immunologic diseases. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
USA-based Kailera Therapeutics, which is focused on next-generation therapies for the treatment of obesity, today announced a $600 million Series B financing led by new investor Bain Capital Private Equity. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson has announced its third-quarter financial results and guidance for the rest of 2025. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
The new Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has welcomed its first investigatio76i67-nal products. 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
Cambridge, USA-based generative protein design pioneer Nabla Bio today announced a new, multi-year research collaboration with Japanese pharma major Takeda. 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
Shares in US biopharma Scholar Rock closed 13% lower Monday after bad news on its spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment apitegromab. 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
China’s out-licensing deals have significantly increased over the last five years, showcasing the country as a source of innovative drugs. The licensing agreements provide global recognition as well as validation for China’s advancements in drug development. 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
Texas, USA-based fibrosis drug developer Tvardi Therapeutics shares plunged 84% on Monday to $6.59, erasing much of its previous 128% six-month gain, following disappointing Phase IIa clinical trial results for its TTI-101 drug in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 14 October 2025
Biotechnology
Boston, USA-based Bicara Therapeutics, a biotech focused on developing bifunctional therapies for solid tumors, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation (BTD) for. its ficerafusp alfa in combination with Merck & Co’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab). 14 October 2025
Generics
German active pharmaceutical ingredients company Medac, specializing in therapeutic solutions for oncology, rheumatology, urology and hematology, today announced the acquisition of Biotech Pharma, based in Dubai. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
French biotech EVerZom has raised 10 million euros ($10.9 million) to launch its first clinical trial and expand its exosome platform into new areas such as liver and skin disease. The financing round attracted support from Capital Grand Est, the European Innovation Council Fund, Sorbonne Venture, Aloe Private Equity, Paris Business Angels, Capital Cell and several family offices. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
The United Kingdom has long cast itself as a global leader in research and innovation, and government ministers still speak of a future in which the country stands tall as a science superpower. 14 October 2025
Pharmaceutical
Belgium’s largest drugmaker UCB has announced the final analysis of an open-label extension (OLE) study on Fintepla (fenfluramine) in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which was published in Epilepsy and Behavior. 14 October 2025
Generics
In what is being termed a major victory, Natco Pharma has won a legal battle against Swiss pharma giant Roche, allowing the launch of generic Evrysdi (risdiplam) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment in India, at a cost which is 97% cheaper. 14 October 2025
All news
Biotechnology
Research news last week featured US CRIPR genome-editing company Caribou Biosciences announcing positive early data on its Hodgkin lymphoma candidate vispacabtagene regedleucel (vispa-cell). US biotech start-up Braveheart Bio raised $185 million to support development of its cardiomyopathy candidate BHB-1893. Eli Lilly last week said it would move its obesity candidate eloralintide into Phase III following positive Phase II results. Lilly also inked a deal with the US government to reduce patient costs for obesity drugs including Zepbound and orforglipron. 9 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
The last week or so has seen an escalation of the bidding war for US obesity-focused Metsera, with counter bids and law suits galore, but now that battle is over. 8 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Pfizer’s extension to the licence of the Abrysvo (respiratory syncytial virus vaccine (bivalent, recombinant) to include the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 18-59 years of age who are at increased risk for lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. 8 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Biopharma company Pelthos Therapeutics has acquired the US commercialization rights to Xepi (ozenoxacin) Cream, 1%, from Biofrontera and Ferrer Internacional. 7 November 2025
Biotechnology
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson’s Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) as a single agent treatment for adult patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HR-SMM). 7 November 2025
Biotechnology
Danish biotech Genmab reported a 25% rise in its total revenue to $1.02 billion during the third quarter of 2025, ahead of analysts’ expectations for $966 million. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
German pharma major Bayer announced new Phase III investigational data from the pivotal FINE-ONE trial showing that Kerendia (finerenone) significantly reduced urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) from baseline over six months by 25% compared to placebo in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were receiving standard of care (95% CI=0.75 [0.65; 0.87]; p=0.0001). 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
US pharma major Eli Lilly has partnered with chipmaker NVIDIA to develop an AI supercomputer for pharmaceutical research, a collaboration that GlobalData says could transform how medicines are discovered and developed. The project will accelerate molecular simulations, protein analysis, and large-scale AI model training to shorten the R&D cycle. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Caplyta (lumateperone) as an adjunctive therapy with antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
US pharma major Eli Lilly has announced an agreement with the US government to expand access to its obesity medicines and reduce patient costs. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk has presented new post-hoc analyses from the Phase III REDEFINE 1 trial evaluating CagriSema (cagrilintide/semaglutide), an investigational injectable combination treatment for overweight or obese adults, and effects on well-known cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, including hypertension and systemic inflammation. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Danish diabetes and obesity drug giant Novo Nordisk has agreed with the US Administration to lower drug prices beginning in 2026 and expand patient access and affordability for its GLP-1 semaglutide medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic, in the USA. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
The global endometrial cancer market is on course for steady expansion, projected to reach nearly $39 billion by 2030. Growth is being fueled by rising incidence rates linked to aging populations, obesity, and metabolic conditions, alongside expanding use of targeted and immuno-oncology therapies in key regions, particularly the USA. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
The USA’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is tackling high drug prices and protecting the American taxpayers through a landmark Innovation Center initiative designed to lower prescription drug spending in Medicaid, improve health outcomes by increasing access to critical medications, and strengthen the Medicaid program overall. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Belgian biopharma company UCB has announced a leadership reshuffle, effective January 1, 2026, as part of a plan to reinforce cross-functional collaboration and sustain growth. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
The Russian government has proposed a new mechanism for subsidization of works for development of new drugs, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Eli Lilly is preparing to start Phase III trials of its experimental obesity therapy eloralintide by year-end, following Phase II results that showed weight reductions of up to 20% over 48 weeks. The once-weekly injection was well-tolerated, strengthening confidence in Lilly’s expanding obesity portfolio. 7 November 2025
Pharmaceutical
Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca closed Thursday’s trading 3% higher, as investors digested its third quarter financial results. 6 November 2025
Biosimilars
South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis. has signed a settlement and license agreement with Johnson & Johnson concerning the commercialization of Pyzchiva, a biosimilar to J&J’s Stelara (ustekinumab), in Europe. The terms of the agreement remain confidential. 6 November 2025
Biotechnology
US biopharma company Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical today announced the sale, for $400 million, of an additional 25% of the company’s royalty interest from Kyowa Kirin on the future sales of Crysvita (burosumab) in the USA and Canada to OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. 6 November 2025
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