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.
Revolution Rises 40% as Pancreatic Cancer Drug Doubles Survival
Revolution Medicines announced that its oral RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib doubled overall survival in patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, achieving 13.2 months versus 6.7 months on chemotherapy. The Phase 3 RASolute 302 interim analysis was declared final, prompting the company to file for regulatory approval. The news sent Revolution’s stock up nearly 40% to $134.80 at market open. A Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher could accelerate the FDA review to as fast as one to two months.
Rigorous Trials, Not Hype, Prove Cancer Drug Value
Today's $RVMD study outcome in pancreatic cancer is a good lesson for all the $IBRX @DrPatrick fans. Stop with all the hand-waving "cancer cure" podcasting social media nonsense. Shut up and run well-designed clinical trials with definitive endpoints. If you have...
Nanodiscs Reveal Antibody Interactions for HIV, Ebola Vaccines
Nanodisc technology enables viral surface proteins from HIV and Ebola to be studied within lifelike membrane environments, offering new insights into antibody interactions and accelerating the development of next-generation vaccines. vaccinedesign
Leukogene Therapeutics Announces Two Presentations at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 Highlighting MHC Class II-Engager Immunotherapies
Leukogene Therapeutics announced two poster presentations at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego, showcasing its MHC class II‑engager immunotherapy candidates for acute myeloid leukemia and pancreatic cancer. The posters will be displayed during the Immunology session on bi- and...
Ifinatamab Deruxtecan Granted Priority Review in the U.S. for Adult Patients with Previously Treated Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Who...
Daiichi Sankyo and Merck have received FDA acceptance and Priority Review for the Biologics License Application of ifinatamab deruxtecan, a first‑in‑class B7‑H3‑directed antibody‑drug conjugate, targeting adult patients with extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer (ES‑SCLC) who progressed after platinum chemotherapy. The...
The AI Value Gap and Why Validation Is a Practical First Win for Life Sciences
AI adoption in life‑sciences is hampered by a wide value gap, with only about 40% of firms seeing EBIT impact and most gains under 5%. A practical entry point is FDA‑oriented computer system validation (CSV) and computer software assurance, where...
IDEAYA/Servier PKC Drug Aces Uveal Melanoma Trial
IDEAYA’s PKC inhibitor darovasertib, combined with Pfizer’s crizotinib, achieved a statistically significant improvement in progression‑free survival in the phase 2/3 OptimUM‑02 trial for HLA‑A*02:01‑negative metastatic uveal melanoma. Median PFS extended to 6.9 months versus 3.1 months for investigator‑chosen immunotherapy, and the...
Blueroot Health Expands Recall of Aller‑C Supplement Over Undeclared Egg, Hazelnut, Soy Allergens
Blueroot Health announced on April 10 that its voluntary recall of Vital Nutrients Aller‑C dietary supplements now covers every product made from lot 25E04 after the FDA identified undeclared egg, hazelnut and soy allergens. The expansion follows an earlier recall...
China-Indonesia Partnership Aims to Produce Millions of HPV Vaccine Doses Locally
Indonesia's drug regulator, BPOM, announced a deepened partnership with Chinese biotech firms to fast‑track domestic production of the nine‑valent HPV vaccine. The collaboration seeks to generate millions of affordable doses annually, easing access for women across the archipelago.
Telix, Regeneron Ink $40M 50/50 Deal to Co‑Develop Next‑Gen Radiopharmaceuticals
Telix Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have struck a 50/50 partnership, with Regeneron paying $40 million upfront for access to Telix’s radiopharmaceutical platform on four initial cancer programs. The deal includes options for four more programs, milestone payments up to $535 million per...
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About a Pancreatic Cancer Pill, FDA Rejecting a Replimune Drug Again, and More
Revolution Medicines reported that its KRAS‑targeting oral pill daraxonrasib more than doubled median overall survival for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, achieving 13.2 months versus 6.7 months on standard chemotherapy. The company will leverage a FDA priority‑review voucher to seek accelerated...
CMS Proposes New Deadlines for Prior Authorizations for Drugs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that would impose firm deadlines on federally regulated insurers for electronic prior authorizations (PA) of prescription drugs. Medicaid and CHIP plans would have 24 hours to respond, while ACA...
AbbVie Enters World of Pain in up to $715M Deal with China’s Haisco
AbbVie has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with China’s Haisco Pharmaceutical Group that could be worth up to $715 million. The deal grants AbbVie rights to a portfolio of pain‑related compounds ranging from preclinical to Phase 1 stages in China. This marks...
Amgen Pipeline’s Next Growth Cycle: Replacing Its Old Blockbusters
Amgen posted $36.8 billion in 2025 revenue, a 10% year‑on‑year rise, but its legacy blockbusters such as Enbrel, Xgeva and Otezla are under pressure from biosimilars and U.S. pricing reforms. Growth is now being driven by cardiovascular drugs, rare‑disease assets acquired...
Module 3 Quiz
Drug Hunter’s online learning platform has released a Module 3 quiz covering the Hit Discovery section of its pharmaceutical curriculum. The quiz is part of a broader, subscription‑based course that guides users through early‑stage drug‑target identification. Learners must sign in or...
Personalis and Collaborators to Highlight Ultrasensitive ctDNA Data and New Therapy Resistance Tracking Capabilities at AACR 2026
Personalis will showcase its ultrasensitive NeXT Personal ctDNA assay at the AAC 2026 meeting, including an oral presentation on neoadjuvant pembrolizumab in high‑risk colorectal cancer. The company will also debut Real‑Time Variant Tracker, a new MRD test option that longitudinally monitors therapy‑resistance...
Regeneron Enters Radiopharma Ring with up to $4.3B Telix Alliance
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has struck a partnership with Australian biotech Telix, committing $40 million to launch four initial radiopharmaceutical programs and securing an option for four more. The deal splits development and commercialization costs and profits equally, while Telix stands to earn...
One Gene Therapy Platform Could Cure Obesity and More
Eric Kelsic makes the compelling case on using gene therapy technology to eventually treat common diseases, like obesity: “Fundamentally, we all share the same genetics." Because our bodies run on the same genetic blueprint, a disease - whether common or rare -...
STAT+: Revolution Medicines Touts ‘Unprecedented’ Data for Pancreatic Cancer Pill
Revolution Medicines reported that its oral KRAS‑G12C inhibitor daraxonrasib more than doubled survival for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. In a head‑to‑head trial, the daily pill yielded a median overall survival of 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for standard chemotherapy....
The Era of Big Pharma’s One-Size-Fits-All Pipeline Is Fading
Big Pharma’s pipeline volume remained steady in early 2026, but its composition is fragmenting. While the ten largest developers still dominate, the number of boutique firms with one or two candidates surged past 4,000, reflecting investor appetite for niche innovation....
Living, 3D-Printed Biological Knee Replacement Advances to Preclinical Testing
Columbia University researchers have received ARPA‑H’s green light to move their living, 3‑D‑printed knee implant, NOVAKnee, into preclinical testing. The device combines a biodegradable scaffold with patient‑derived stem cells that regenerate cartilage and bone after implantation. Designed to address the...
Haisco Partners with AbbVie to Develop Novel Medicines for Pain in a ~$745M Deal
Haisco Pharma signed an exclusive licensing agreement with AbbVie to develop, manufacture and commercialize novel pain medicines outside China, Hong Kong and Macau. The deal provides Haisco with a $30 million upfront payment and up to $715 million in development, regulatory and...
STAT+: Allogene Therapeutics’ CAR-T Treatment Eliminates Residual Cancer Cells in B-Cell Lymphoma Patients
Allogene Therapeutics reported that its off‑the‑shelf CAR‑T therapy, cema‑cel, eliminated residual cancer cells in B‑cell lymphoma patients at three times the rate of standard care, meeting the interim goal of its Phase 3 trial. In the interim analysis, 58% of treated...
Cartherics and Catalent Expand Commercial License Agreement
Cartherics and Catalent have signed an amended commercial license agreement granting Cartherics access to Catalent's cGMP‑compliant iPSC line for manufacturing its CAR‑NK cell therapies, including lead candidate CTH‑401. The partnership enables Cartherics to use the line for development, clinical trials,...
NICE Update Doubles Eligible Patients for AZ's Lokelma
NICE’s draft guidance doubles the number of patients in England and Wales who can receive AstraZeneca’s Lokelma for hyperkalaemia. The eligibility threshold was lowered from a serum potassium level of 6.0 mmol/L to 5.5 mmol/L, and the specialist‑only initiation rule was removed....
AbbVie Bets on Chinese Biopharma’s Pain Pipeline in $745m Bid
AbbVie has struck a deal worth up to $745 million with Chinese biopharma Haisco, securing development, manufacturing and commercialization rights to several early‑stage pain‑relief compounds outside China, Hong Kong and Macau. The agreement includes a $30 million upfront payment and up to $715 million...
Scientists Are Trying to Build a Vaccine that Works Against Almost Any Respiratory Pathogen — Here's How Close They Are.
Scientists at Stanford have engineered an experimental nasal spray that activates the lungs' innate immune system rather than targeting specific antigens. In mouse studies the spray slashed viral loads by roughly 700‑fold and bacterial counts by 200‑fold, while also dampening...
STAT+: Spyre Therapeutics IBD Drug Shows Promise in Early Trial
Spyre Therapeutics reported positive Phase 2 data for its ulcerative colitis candidate SPY001, showing safety and meeting the trial's primary endpoint. In the SKYLINE study, patients experienced a 9.2‑point drop in a disease‑activity index, and roughly 40% entered remission after 12...
LUT014 Shows Promise for RASi‑Induced Skin Rash
*Disclaimer : the company developing LUT014 is a Pontifax portfolio company.* Mechanistically LUT014 should be effective in RASi induced-rash as it was designed to activate RAS signaling in the skin so using it topically could de-couple RAS inhibition in the tumor...
Ideaya’s Uveal Melanoma Drug Exceeds Success Benchmark in Late-Stage Trial
Ideaya BioSciences reported that its late‑stage drug for uveal melanoma met its pre‑specified success benchmark, achieving a 27% overall response rate versus the 20% target. The trial also demonstrated a manageable safety profile, reinforcing confidence in the therapy’s risk‑benefit balance....
High‑dose GLP‑1s Raise Optic Nerve Risk; Titrate Carefully
Patients are not asking if GLP-1s are right for them. They are asking how much you charge for tirzepatide. Shiv K. Goel breaks down what physicians need to know about oral Wegovy. Pharmacovigilance data: Wegovy carries nearly five times higher...
Pancreatic Cancer Trials Yield Only 1‑2 Month Gains
I remember years ago in pancreatic cancer trials you were realistically looking for 1 to 2 months improvement in survival (at best) in pancreatic cancer trials. Bravo $RVMD.👏
BIO Coffee Chat Explores Venture Philanthropy
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) hosted a Patient Advocacy Coffee Chat highlighting the growing influence of venture philanthropy in biotech. Patient groups are now acting as investors, using capital and disease expertise to de‑risk early‑stage programs and guide trial design....
Second‑line RVMD Improves Pancreatic Cancer Survival over First
As noted by others, the $RVMD dara mOS in 2nd line PDAC is better than mOS for current first-line regimens.
Low‑Cost Vaccine Creator Outshines Rogan’s Diet Critique
I make low cost vaccines for global health, including a Covid vaccine technology for $2-3 per dose reached 100 million people, bypassed big pharma, didn’t make money, and all these Rogan types can talk about is a joke I made...
EU Launches PsyPal Project to Test Psychedelic Therapy in Palliative Care
The European Union has kicked off the PsyPal project, a EU‑funded clinical initiative to evaluate psychedelic therapy for psychological distress in palliative‑care patients. The launch event was held on 13 April 2026 at the Directorate‑General for Health and Food Safety, marking the...
Avalyn Pharma Outlines IPO Fund Allocation, IVVD, REPL Updates
13April: How does Avalyn Pharma plan to spend the proceeds of the IPO for which it has filed paperwork? Read what's been made public about the company's planned initial public offering, plus updates on $IVVD and $REPL in my latest...
Daraxonrasib Halves Pancreatic Cancer Mortality, Doubles Survival
Finally, best news of the morning (and something you didn't expect so soon)... Revolution Medicines $RVMD daraxonrasib Ph3 results in second-line pancreatic cancer. Median overall survival in ITT patients (KRAS mutants + wild type combined) Dara 13.2 months vs chemo 6.7...
GSK’s Mo-Rez ADC Shrinks Ovarian and Endometrial Tumors in 62‑67% of Patients
GSK announced that its antibody‑drug conjugate Mo‑Rez reduced or eliminated tumors in 62% of ovarian‑cancer patients and 67% of endometrial‑cancer patients who had failed chemotherapy. The early‑stage data, gathered from 224 participants, will fast‑track the drug into five late‑stage studies...
Allogeneic CAR‑T Achieves 42% MRD Boost, Safe Profile
Allogene $ALLO cema-cel interim ALPHA3 results just reported: B-cell lymphoma MRD negativity: cema-cel 58% vs observation 16% A 42% absolute difference in MRD clearance is better than expected. Clean safety profile, too. Allogeneic CAR-T may have found its role. Nice...
NVS Sells Darovasertib for $6M in Cash, Stock
Let's remember again that $NVS dumped off darovasertib for $2.5m in cash + $3.5m in $IDYA series B preferred stock.
This Method to Reverse Cellular Aging Is About to Be Tested in Humans
Researchers at the Whitehead Institute have engineered a three‑gene cocktail that partially reprograms aged retinal nerve cells, reversing age‑related damage in mouse eyes. The breakthrough underpins Life Biosciences' first human clinical trial, which will deliver the Yamanaka factors—minus the oncogenic...
Spyre's SPY001 Achieves 40% Remission in UC Trial
Spyre $SYRE just reported SPY001 (long-acting alpha4beta7 antibody) ulcerative colitis induction data. Here's the efficacy chart, notable for a 40% clinical remission rate at week 12, albeit with small number of patients. https://t.co/aEoLWPRjEL
ALLO's Alpha-3 DLBCL Data Set to Spark Pre‑Market Move
Key $ALLO catalyst coming pre market today, with first data from cema-cel's Alpha-3 study in DLBCL consolidation. What to look for: https://t.co/a19BVEppqP
GLP-1 Tablets and the Shift in Discourse About Obesity
Foundayo, the first oral non‑peptide GLP‑1 tablet, received FDA approval last week, marking a new chapter in obesity treatment and intensifying competition with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill. The launch coincides with a measurable shift in media coverage: mentions of obesity...
Darovasertib Shows Promise in Optimum-02 Uveal Melanoma Trial
$IDYA darovasertib data from registrational Optimum-02 trial in uveal melanoma are out. What to look for: https://t.co/1LQa0X6xJa
Almirall and Barcelona Supercomputing Center Expand Their Collaboration to Accelerate Innovation in Medical Dermatology
Almirall, a global medical dermatology company, has expanded its partnership with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) under the BSC Connects program. The new framework, running through 2026, gives Almirall access to BSC’s AI and high‑performance computing resources, including the MareNostrum 5...
A New Wave of Immunotherapy Is Eliminating Cancers
Immunotherapy, especially checkpoint inhibitors like dostarlimab, is delivering unprecedented tumor regressions, with recent trials reporting complete remission in 84% of participants. The approach offers non‑surgical, low‑toxicity alternatives, as illustrated by patients such as Maureen Sideris whose esophageal cancer vanished after...
Managing Patient Experience and RWE in Clinical Trials: Q&A with Matt Holms, MB
Recent enrollment shortfalls in Pfizer/BioNTech COVID‑19 and Lyme vaccine studies underscore how operational flaws can derail promising drugs. Matt Holms, VP of commercial, patient engagement and recruitment at Citeline, explains that modern trial design must integrate real‑world data, AI‑driven patient...
Telix and Regeneron Sign $4.3bn Deal to Co-Develop Radiopharmaceutical Therapies
Telix and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have signed a partnership valued at up to $4.3 billion to co‑develop radiopharmaceutical therapies for solid tumours. Regeneron will pay $40 million upfront for access to Telix’s manufacturing platform and can expand to four additional programmes, while Telix...