Today's Pharma Pulse
Ona lands $86.6M Series B, one of Spain’s biggest biotech rounds
Spanish biotech firm Ona announced an $86.6 million Series B financing, ranking among the largest venture rounds in Spain’s life‑science sector this year. The round was led by Seventure Partners with participation from existing backers and new strategic investors. The funding will be used to scale Ona’s AI‑driven drug discovery platform and accelerate its pre‑clinical programs.
Pliant Therapeutics Announces Presentation of Updated Data From the Phase 1 Trial of PLN-101095 in Patients with ICI-Refractory Solid...
Pliant Therapeutics presented updated Phase 1a/1b data for its integrin inhibitor PLN‑101095 combined with pembrolizumab at the 2026 AACR meeting. In ICI‑refractory solid‑tumor patients, the regimen produced an average 89% tumor reduction and a median treatment duration of 19 months among responders. The study reported one confirmed complete response and two partial responses across cholangiocarcinoma, NSCLC, melanoma and head‑and‑neck cancers. Biomarker analysis showed 4‑ to 13‑fold increases in plasma IFN‑γ and elevated PD‑L1, while safety remained favorable.
Scalable Flow Reactors for Stable Biofilm Formation and Continuous Whole‐Cell Catalysis
Researchers have unveiled a modular, scalable microfluidic reactor that uses flow‑induced deposition to form robust E. coli biofilms directly from suspended cells. By coupling pillar‑based designs with computational fluid dynamics, the team mapped microscale flow features that drive cell attachment,...
Eli Lilly’s Foundayo Poised as Biggest Game‑Changer in 150‑Year History
Analysts have flagged Eli Lilly’s newly approved oral GLP‑1 drug, Foundayo, as the most consequential product in the company’s 150‑year history. The needle‑less therapy could generate $1‑2 billion in sales within its first year, complementing Lilly’s injectable tirzepatide (Zepbound) and expanding access...
INVITATION: Join Me for a Live Session on Personalised Drug Repurposing in Cancer Care
Amanda, the Metabolic Nutritionist, will co‑host a live conversation with author and metabolic oncology researcher Travis Christofferson on drug repurposing in precision oncology. The event, organized by Astron Health, will explore how approved medications can be matched to cancer patients...
Trial Shows Donor-Derived Cells Can Eliminate Immunosuppressants in Liver Transplants
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC infused donor‑derived regulatory dendritic cells into 13 living‑donor liver transplant patients, enabling four to stop immunosuppressive drugs and three to remain drug‑free for more than three years. The result marks the first...
AI and Multi‑Omic Advances Highlighted in New Breast Cancer Special Issue
Cancer Biology & Medicine released a special issue on March 15, 2026, edited by Professor Zefei Jiang, that pairs AI research with breakthroughs in immunotherapy, antibody‑drug conjugates and cell therapies. The collection underscores AI as an enabler of precision breast...
Capitol Dispatch Weekend Digest
The Capitol Dispatch Weekend Digest reports several policy‑driven shifts affecting Connecticut and the nation. A Senate committee found that drug companies which secured pricing deals under the Trump administration later raised prices on unrelated medicines, while USDA data shows Connecticut’s...
Zai Lab Presents New Preclinical Data Suggesting ZL-1503, an IL-13/IL-31Rα Bispecific Antibody, Provides Rapid Itch Relief and Reduction in Inflammation...
Zai Lab unveiled preclinical data for ZL-1503, a bispecific antibody that blocks IL-13 and IL-31Rα, showing sustained itch suppression and inflammation reduction for up to 112 days after a single dose. The study demonstrated dose‑dependent efficacy across skin, lung, nasal...
FDA Poised to Approve Psychedelics Amid Strong Political Push
It seems clear that the administration is poised to approved psychedelic applications at the FDA. This is strong political momentum & it seems approval is extremely likely so long as phase 3 data resemble phase 2 data. FDA Commissioner Makary: There...
Claude Opus 4.7 Autonomously Validates COVID‑19 Drug Claims
This seemed like a fun task for Claude Opus 4.7! https://t.co/Z5qJwBNYwi has an example run on the claim "Hydroxychloroquine improves clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19." https://t.co/kn0aWevNVv describes the pipeline. I spent 3-4h on this with Claude Code managing 10...
GLP‑1 Weight‑Loss Drugs Spark Global Overhaul of Obesity Care
Prescriptions for GLP‑1 medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro have surged globally, creating supply shortages, spurring counterfeit markets, and forcing regulators from the U.S., Canada, Europe and India to tighten controls. The shift is redefining obesity as a chronic disease...
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Shows Temporary 2.5‑Year Biological Age Reduction, Study Finds
Researchers publishing in Aging Cell say a therapeutic plasma exchange protocol trimmed biological age by roughly 2.5 years in a small human trial, but the effect largely disappeared by the study’s end. The mixed results have ignited both excitement and...
Phase‑III Trial Shows Clascoterone 5% Boosts Hair Count 2.4‑Fold in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
A Phase‑III study of clascoterone 5% topical solution demonstrated a 2.39‑fold increase in hair count after one year, positioning the acne drug as a promising therapy for androgenetic alopecia. The trial, involving 1,465 men, also confirmed a safety profile comparable...
Rubedo’s AI‑Designed Senolytic RLS‑1496 Begins First‑In‑Human Trials
Rubedo Life Sciences has started Phase 1 human trials of RLS‑1496, the first GPX4‑targeting senolytic drug designed by its ALEMBIC AI platform. The parallel trials in Europe and the United States aim to assess safety and dosing of a therapy that...
These Alzheimer’s Drugs Were Supposed to Revolutionize the Way We Fight the Disease. The Reality Is More Complicated.
A new Cochrane Library review casts doubt on the clinical value of Leqimbi and Kisunla, the two Alzheimer’s drugs hailed as breakthroughs in recent years. The analysis of multiple trials finds the medications produce little to no improvement in cognition,...
Lupin Receives Form 483 After USFDA Inspection of Somerset Unit
Lupin Ltd disclosed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Form 483 after inspecting its Somerset, New Jersey manufacturing site from April 13‑17, 2026. The FDA cited three observations that may represent violations of the FD&C Act. Lupin said it will address...
Managing Infection Risks in BCMA Bispecific Antibody Therapy: Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH
The FDA granted full approval to teclistamab (Tecvayli), a BCMA bispecific antibody for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, despite grade 3‑4 infection rates of 50‑60 percent observed in early trials. Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, explained that these infections occurred largely during the COVID‑19 pandemic...
GPT-Rosalind Lands: What OpenAI’s First Domain-Specific Life Sciences Model, the Codex Life Sciences Plugin & the Trusted Access Program Actually...
OpenAI unveiled GPT‑Rosalind on April 16, its first domain‑specific model built for life‑sciences tasks such as biochemistry, genomics, and protein engineering. Access is limited to a Trusted‑Access program that currently includes Amgen, Moderna, Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Allen Institute and...
Teva Recalls Over 300,000 Clonidine Transdermal Cartons After FDA Upgrades Recall Level
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA recalled more than 300,000 cartons of its Clonidine Transdermal System on March 19, after the FDA upgraded the recall classification because the product used an unapproved raw material. The move underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny of blood‑pressure therapies...
Pfizer Unveils Nanoparticle Platform to Target Tumors, Reduce Side Effects
Pfizer said today its Targeted Therapeutics Unit in Oncology R&D is advancing a nanotechnology platform that uses engineered nanoparticles to deliver drugs straight to cancer cells. The approach is designed to boost efficacy while cutting the collateral damage typical of...
FDA Approves TVTX, Philips Spectral CT, Rejects REPL; New Trials Unveiled
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to TVTX and Royal Philips' AI‑driven Spectral CT system, while rejecting the REPL gene‑therapy candidate. In the same week, several biotech firms disclosed fresh clinical‑trial launches and Carbios disclosed a deeper fiscal‑2025...
Lilly CEO Sees Weight-Loss Drugs Reaching About Half of Potential Users at Peak
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks told investors that GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs will likely reach only about half of the 500 million people worldwide who could benefit, due to institutional and cost barriers. He noted that today roughly one in ten eligible patients...
Retatrutide - Possibly Better than Semaglutide B/C Lower Nausea/Side Effect Profile, but Higher Heart Rate
Retatrutide, a triple‑agonist peptide, is generating buzz for delivering dramatic weight loss at doses of 8‑12 mg, rivaling semaglutide while causing fewer nausea complaints. Early users note that appetite suppression diminishes after several weeks, yet the drug continues to support weight‑maintenance...
Pfizer Vaccine Safe, Effective in Juvenile Inflammatory Disease
A multi‑center trial published this week confirms that Pfizer's mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine is both safe and effective for children suffering from juvenile inflammatory diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The study tracked 312 participants aged 5‑17,...
Hazel Szeto, SS-31 Peptide, the World's First FDA-Approved Mitochondria-Targeted Drug (Longevity Summit, 2025)
SS‑31 (elamipretide), the first FDA‑approved mitochondria‑targeted drug, is being promoted on TikTok as a vision enhancer, despite its approval only for a rare mitochondrial disease. Clinical data for age‑related macular degeneration (AMD) show the drug failed to meet endpoints, with...
R&D Hype Unchecked: No Accountability for Drug Promises
Nice article by @TClozel in @FastCompany. Link in comments. The funny thing is that every company he mentioned and many others promised many years ago and still promise cheaper, faster, higher PoS drugs and many of them do not...
Trump Expected to Loosen Restrictions on Psychedelic Drugs
President Trump is set to sign an executive order that will loosen federal restrictions on psychedelic drugs such as LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin. The order earmarks $50 million for state‑level ibogaine research, with Texas slated to receive the first grant. It...
Imeglimin. A New and Novel Drug Thats Better than Metformin
Imeglimin, a mitochondrial‑targeted antidiabetic agent, is emerging as a novel alternative to metformin. Pre‑clinical studies show it restores mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle and pancreatic β‑cells, enhancing insulin secretion and reducing oxidative stress. Phase‑3 trials report HbA1c reductions of 0.6‑0.9%...
How Nanomedicine Gets Inside Your Cells and Treats You From the Inside Out
Nanomedicine is moving from concept to clinic as researchers use lipid‑nanoparticle carriers to deliver synthetic mRNA and siRNA directly into patient cells. The approach lets liver cells produce missing proteins such as factor VIII for hemophilia A, while silencing harmful proteins like...
Trump Administration to Review Ibogaine for PTSD, Opens Federal Research Path
President Trump is set to sign an executive order this week that will direct federal agencies to study ibogaine, a psychedelic currently classified as a Schedule I drug, for its potential to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injury. The move does...
UCSF Pushes Forward Treg Cell Therapy to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes
UCSF scientists are advancing a regulatory T‑cell (Treg) therapy aimed at preventing type 1 diabetes, leveraging the center’s legacy of biomarker discovery and the 2022 FDA‑approved drug Teplizumab. The approach could reduce reliance on lifelong insulin and immunosuppressive drugs, a key...
UCB to Acquire Neurona Therapeutics for Up to $1.15 Billion, Boosting Epilepsy Portfolio
Belgian biopharma UCB announced a deal to buy U.S.‑based Neurona Therapeutics for up to $1.15 billion, with $650 million paid upfront and up to $500 million in milestones. The acquisition strengthens UCB’s epilepsy franchise and is expected to lift adjusted EBITDA into the...
Storm Therapeutics Secures $56 Million Series C to Push METTL3 Cancer Drug Into Phase 2
Storm Therapeutics announced a $56 million Series C financing led by Pfizer Ventures, M Ventures and other pharma‑backed investors. The cash will fund a Phase 2 monotherapy study of STC‑15, a first‑in‑class METTL3 inhibitor, in hard‑to‑treat sarcomas. The round signals growing confidence in epitranscriptomic...
Design‑First Protein Engineering Delivers Round‑One Success
Protein engineering has a dirty secret: most of the work is in the lab, not the algorithm. You design, you test, most variants fail, you iterate for months. Scala Biodesign's bet is that the design layer can do most of that...
Trump EO Accelerates Psychedelic Research for PTSD and Addiction
Delighted to see the Trump EO easing research into psychedelics for PTSD, depression, and addiction. It was a prescient choice by Rick Doblin and others to explicitly research psychedelics for PTSD in veterans. Makes it so much easier to get...
OpenAI Launches GPT‑Rosalind, a Life‑sciences LLM for Drug Discovery
OpenAI unveiled GPT‑Rosalind, a domain‑specific large language model built for life‑science research, and made it available as a research preview in ChatGPT, Codex and its API. The company said the model will help biotech and pharmaceutical teams accelerate early‑stage discovery,...
Hassan Predicted Sugammad
Also, after all these years and all the FDA delays, Fred Hassan was right about sugammadex... except it took a really long time. (This is a pharma deep cut, links in the comments.)
President Signs Order to Boost PTSD Drug Research
JUST IN: The president signed an executive order to ramp up research on drugs for PTSD and other mental health issues.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Suicide or Suicide Attempts – A Nationwide Cohort and Self-Controlled Case Series Study
A nationwide Danish registry study examined whether glucagon‑like peptide‑1 receptor agonists (GLP‑1 RAs) increase suicide or suicide attempts compared with active comparators—SGLT‑2 and DPP‑4 inhibitors. Across two new‑user cohorts totaling over 200,000 GLP‑1 RA initiators, adjusted hazard ratios showed no elevated risk...
First‑Dollar Coverage Boosts Affordability, Keeps R&D Incentives
Should you ever find yourself in a position to talk healthcare policy with anyone and they ask “so what are saying are the right fixes?”, NPLB put essentials in one place. Plain, short. Solve affordability w/ 1st $ coverage; preserve...
Joe Rogan's Text Spurs Federal Psychedelic Policy Shift
How a text from Joe Rogan helped remake the federal government's approach to psychedelics https://t.co/8j55tEgdx6
Major UKHSA Study Finds Maternal RSV Vaccination Reduces Infant Hospitalization Risk by More Than 80%
Researchers from the UK Health Security Agency presented the largest real‑world evaluation of maternal RSV immunisation, showing that infants whose mothers received the bivalent Prefusion F vaccine at least two weeks before delivery experienced an 81.3% drop in RSV‑related hospitalisations. The...
Choosing Risk Over Safetyism to Save Millions
Ultimately humanity will have to decide, are we open to risk and hundreds of new therapies and cures or does safetyism win as we watch millions unnecessarily die each year (for the price of hundreds or thousands of deaths for...
Trump Pushes to Loosen Restrictions on Psychedelics
Clearly, he and his cabinet are already imbibing.... Trump plans to ease access to psychedelics like psilocybin, ibogaine https://t.co/pwqU0fllVb
Agenus Reports Phase II Data Demonstrating Immune Reprogramming and Durable Survival with Botensilimab, Balstilimab and agenT-797 in PD-1 Refractory Gastroesophageal...
Agenus presented Phase II data showing that a combination of botensilimab, balstilimab and the allo‑iNKT cell therapy agenT‑797 achieved a 77% disease‑control rate in PD‑1‑refractory gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients who received an induction cycle of agenT‑797 before the full regimen experienced median...
Implantable Islet Cells May Eliminate Insulin Injections
Implantable islet cells could control diabetes without insulin injections by Anne Trafton @MIT Learn more: https://t.co/aPCxukXMW1 #MedTech #HealthTech #Tech #TechForGood https://t.co/IwjlYaJitu
China Favors Grassroots, Market-Driven Trials; US Stays Centralized
Interesting look at how China may have a more grassroots and market-oriented approach to early, experimental trials vs. the American, centralized politburo approach:
New PARP Inhibitor Resistance Mechanisms Found in Ovarian Cancer
A recent British Journal of Cancer study uncovers drug‑specific resistance mechanisms to PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer, highlighting alterations in PARP trapping, replication‑fork protection, and chromatin‑remodeling. The research shows that resistance is not limited to homologous recombination restoration but involves...
AI Pharma Success Measured by Speed, Cost, Not Approvals
Very often I am being asked when will the first drugs designed using AI receive regulatory approval. The answer is very simple - there are several drugs that were already approved. For example, the first antibody to receive regulatory approval...
Mammary Organoid Depot Enables Post-Surgery Chemo, Regeneration
Researchers have created a mammary organoid‑based depot that delivers a pH‑responsive doxorubicin prodrug directly to the surgical site while simultaneously regenerating breast tissue. The engineered organoids mimic lactation, loading drug‑laden lipid droplets into milk‑fat globules that are secreted locally, achieving...