| | | |   | Today we talk about Amgen’s new acquisition and Pfizer’s axed asset, and see what’s being discussed at this week’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
- Meghana | | | Here’s what’s new at AAIC Alzheimer's remains as devastating a disease as ever, and there has been lots to discuss at the biggest conference focused on the condition. STAT’s Jonathon Wosen has been on the ground this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego and gives us a round-up of what’s going on.
For one, there’s now a quite a lot of interest in non-amyloid approaches to therapy. And there’s growing interest in finding biomarkers for the neurodegenerative condition as well. Some researchers are focusing on the early development of blood tests that might help diagnose it earlier. Scientists are also trying to use Alzheimer’s biomarkers to design clinical trials, which might ultimately help drugs win approval, if they’re tested in the correct subset of patients. Read more. | Is drug pricing reform really happening this time? Are things finally turning around for biotech? And is it ever wise to tweet your food? We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. Rachel Cohrs, STAT’s Washington correspondent, joins us to explain how congressional Democrats are on the verge of a coup in drug pricing — and what could still stand in their way. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some hotly anticipated data from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a $4 billion buyout deal, and other surprisingly good news for biotech. Listen here. | When it comes to drug development, we need both conventional and cutting-edge therapies Two things the world learned from the pandemic: go quickly and be ready. The biopharma industry can take advantage of the momentum gained and continue pushing the boundaries of medicine. In this three-part article series, explore the era of ‘and’, where mRNA and other novel molecules will feature prominently. And learn how we can prepare for that reality. Read the first article here. | Pfizer axes experimental heart drug from Array acquisition Pfizer acquired Array BioPharma three years ago for $11.4 billion. Now, the company is ending a Phase 3 cardiovascular program inherited from the takeover, FierceBiotech writes. The asset, called PF-08265803, was geared at treating a genetic form of cardiomyopathy. But an interim futility analysis showed that the drug was unlikely to work, so Pfizer axed the study and further development of the drug. The failure is a blow to Pfizer’s strategy in the rare cardiology space, but PF-08265803 wasn’t the main driver for the Array deal. Instead, the pharma giant was interested in the cancer drugs Braftovi and Mektovi — neither of which have exactly become blockbusters. Braftovi brought in $187 million in sales last year, MedCity News writes, and Mektovi brought in $155 million. | Chemocentryx acquired for $4 billion Amgen is acquiring ChemoCentryx for $4 billion, thanks to interest in its newly approved pill, Tavneos, which treats a rare autoimmune disease. The small company reported first quarter sales of $5.4 million for the drug, which targets ANCA-associated vasculitis, a disease that causes inflammation, blockage, and damage to small blood vessels. People with the condition are at high risk of organ damage, particularly in the kidneys and lungs. The drug was approved last October, but only barely — an expert panel was torn on whether it was sufficiently effective. Tavneos is being studied as a possible treatment for other inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. Read more. | More reads - Looking east, Sanofi pens ‘pioneering’ cancer drug partnership with China’s Innovent, FierceBiotech
- AstraZeneca says Lynparza gets EU nod to treat early-stage breast cancer, Reuters
- New research digs into the genetic drivers of heart failure, with an eye to precision treatments, STAT
| Thanks for reading! Until next week,  | | | |
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