Recent Posts
News•Mar 2, 2026
After Phase 3 Clean Sweep, Roche Plans Oral BTK Filing in MS
Roche announced that its oral BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib met the primary endpoint in the Phase 3 FENhance 1 trial, reducing relapses in relapsing multiple sclerosis by 51% versus teriflunomide, mirroring a 59% reduction seen in the earlier FENhance 2 study. The company plans to file regulatory submissions worldwide for fenebrutinib in both RMS and primary progressive MS, positioning it as a potential first high‑efficacy oral BTK therapy. While the efficacy data are strong, eight fatalities in the fenebrutinib arms and comparable liver enzyme elevations have drawn regulator attention. Roche’s shares fell 1.6% after the announcement.
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 27, 2026
NHS "Isn't Delivering Equitable Care for Rare Diseases"
Genetic Alliance UK’s equity report warns the NHS is falling short for the 3.5 million Britons living with rare diseases. A quarter of patients wait three years for a diagnosis, only 5 % of conditions have approved treatments, and just 10 % of...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 26, 2026
Boehringer Bets up to $500m on Sitryx Immunology Programme
Boehringer Ingelheim announced a potential $500 million investment in UK biotech Sitryx to obtain global rights to an undisclosed small‑molecule immunology programme. The partnership covers upfront fees, milestones and royalties, giving Boehringer full responsibility for research, clinical development and commercialization. Sitryx’s...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 26, 2026
Asahi Kasei Buys Antiviral Firm Aicuris for €780m
Japanese conglomerate Asahi Kasei announced a €780 million acquisition of German biotech Aicuris, gaining access to the oral antiviral pritelivir for herpes simplex virus (HSV). The drug, poised for FDA approval later this year, has shown superior lesion healing in phase‑3...
By pharmaphorum
Deals•Feb 26, 2026
Asahi Kasei to Acquire German Biotech Aicuris for €780M
Japanese drugmaker Asahi Kasei announced it will acquire German biotech Aicuris for €780 million, gaining its antiviral therapy pritelivir targeting HSV. The deal expands Asahi Kasei's anti‑infectives portfolio and supports its goal of reaching JPY 300 billion in pharma sales by 2030.
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News•Feb 25, 2026
In Brief SOTU Remarks, Trump Asks Congress to "Codify" MFN
President Donald Trump used a brief four‑minute segment of his State of the Union address to push Congress to codify his Most‑Favoured Nations (MFN) drug‑pricing program. He claimed the voluntary agreements would give Americans the lowest prescription prices worldwide, though...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 20, 2026
FDA Starts Review of Regeneron's Drug for Rare Disease FOP
The FDA has placed Regeneron's anti‑activin A antibody garetosmab under priority review, with a decision expected by August. Phase 3 OPTIMA data showed a 94% reduction in new heterotopic ossification lesions at the lower dose and a 90% reduction at the higher...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 20, 2026
UK Firm Steps in to Ease Medicine Supply Crisis in NHS
A shortage of bone cement from German supplier Heraeus Medical threatens NHS orthopaedic surgeries, potentially lasting two months. NHS England has asked trusts to prioritise emergency joint replacements, leaving elective patients at risk. UK‑based Biocomposites accelerated the launch of its...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 20, 2026
Ex-Novartis CMO John Tsai Joins Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo appointed former Novartis chief medical officer John Tsai as its new CMO, succeeding Ken Takeshita after a five‑year tenure. Tsai brings a record of launching 160 projects and 15 regulatory approvals, including Zolgensma and Pluvicto, and recent experience leading biotech...
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News•Feb 18, 2026
Novartis' Oral BTK Drug Moves the Needle in CINDU
Novartis announced that its oral BTK inhibitor Rhapsido (remibrutinib) achieved significantly higher complete response rates than placebo in the phase 3 RemIND trial for the three most common forms of chronic inducible urticaria (CINDU). The drug, already approved for chronic spontaneous...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 18, 2026
NICE Backs First Disease-Modifying Drug for ARG1 Deficiency
Immedica’s pegzilarginase (Loargys), the first enzyme replacement therapy for arginase‑1 (ARG1) deficiency, has received NICE endorsement for NHS use in the UK. The weekly IV or subcutaneous treatment cuts blood arginine levels by roughly 80% and is recommended for patients...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 16, 2026
Roche Trial Offers Hope to Patients with Rare Kidney Disease
Roche announced that its anti‑CD20 antibody Gazyva (obinutuzumab) met the primary endpoint in the phase 3 MAJESTY trial for primary membranous nephropathy (pMN). The study showed significantly higher complete remission rates at two years compared with the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, while maintaining...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 13, 2026
Bankruptcy Threat Looms as Quince Runs Out of Options
Quince Therapeutics warned investors it may need bankruptcy protection after its lead drug eDSP failed a pivotal phase 3 trial for ataxia‑telangiectasia. The SEC filing disclosed less than $6 million in cash, $12 million in short‑term investments and a $16 million unsecured line of...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 13, 2026
PTC Pulls File for Duchenne Therapy on FDA Feedback
PTC Therapeutics has withdrawn its FDA filing for Translarna (ataluren) as a treatment for nonsense‑mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy after the agency indicated the data would not meet the threshold for substantial evidence of effectiveness. The decision ends a decade‑long effort...
By pharmaphorum
News•Feb 10, 2026
FDA Kicks Off Review of Takeda's Narcolepsy Hopeful
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed Takeda's orexin‑2 receptor agonist oveporexton (TAK‑861) into a priority review, with a decision expected in the third quarter. If approved, it would become the first drug to target the underlying orexin deficiency...
By pharmaphorum
Deals•Feb 4, 2026
Novartis to Acquire Avidity Biosciences in $12B Takeover
Swiss pharma giant Novartis announced it will acquire RNA‑drug developer Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion, with the transaction expected to close in the next few months. The deal is part of Novartis' strategy to bolster its pipeline amid significant patent expiries,...
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Deals•Jan 29, 2026
Sword Health Acquires Kaia Health for $285M
US digital physical therapy specialist Sword Health announced it will acquire competitor Kaia Health for $285 million, creating a combined platform that will dominate the US market and expand into Europe. The deal brings together two digital musculoskeletal care providers,...
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Deals•Jan 28, 2026
Eikon Therapeutics Prices IPO, Targets $318M Raise
Eikon Therapeutics, the biotech startup founded by former MSD R&D head Roger Perlmutter, announced pricing of its Nasdaq IPO at $16‑$18 per share, aiming to raise up to $318 million and achieve a valuation above $900 million. The company will list under...
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Deals•Jan 20, 2026
AstraZeneca Pays $630M to Acquire Full Control of AbelZeta's CAR‑T Therapy C‑CAR031
AstraZeneca has paid $630 million to buy out AbelZeta’s 50 % share of the China development and commercialisation rights to the CAR‑T therapy C‑CAR031, securing full control of the anti‑GPC3 treatment in China. The deal expands AZ’s CAR‑T portfolio following prior acquisitions...
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