Paul Schloesser

Merck revealed Friday it started up its first late-stage clinical program for an oral PCSK9 inhibitor for cholesterol. The program is currently enrolling participants in two registrational studies for MK-0616, which aims to lower LDL cholesterol. An outcomes study is also set to start this year, with plans to enroll

Novocure’s ovarian cancer treatment failed to meet the primary endpoint of overall survival in a Phase III trial, sending the New Jersey biotech’s stock price down 32% on Monday morning. Novocure said Monday that a combination of its tumor treating field therapy, called TTFields, and the chemotherapy paclitaxel did not

Ginkgo Bioworks is collaborating with Google Cloud on a five-year AI partnership, the biotech announced Tuesday. The partnership will be centered around Ginkgo working on creating large language models, a type of AI algorithm that utilizes substantial amounts of data. These models will be focused on genomics, synthetic biology and

Bristol Myers Squibb has scored another win for its anemia drug Reblozyl, revealing Monday evening the FDA granted the drug its third indication. The FDA approved the drug as a frontline treatment for adult anemia patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who may require red blood cell transfusions, and who

CCM Biosciences launched out of stealth Tuesday, touting ten drug programs and more than $25 million raised from Series A1 and A2 rounds. CCM has a partnership with PMC Group, which is handling chemistry, manufacturing and controls for the biotech's programs. CCM CEO and co-founder Raj Chakrabarti is also the

US policymakers and payers should consider indication-based pricing in a bid to cut down on higher cancer drug costs in the US, according to research recently published by two German oncologists. The study, published last month, looked at how cancer drugs approved for multiple indications are priced in the US.

Mersana Therapeutics said Wednesday that president and CEO Anna Protopapas is retiring Sept. 10, and board member Martin Huber will take over her role. Protopapas, who joined the company as CEO in 2015, will remain on the biotech’s board. Huber, who has been on the biotech’s board since 2020, is

CymaBay Therapeutics’ lead candidate met the primary endpoint and key secondary endpoints in a Phase III trial for a liver disease, setting the stage for the biotech to pursue approval of a drug that failed to advance as a treatment for NASH. The company on Thursday revealed the results from

Verge Genomics has secured its largest deal yet, linking up with AstraZeneca’s rare disease division Alexion in a deal worth up to $882 million. The San Francisco biotech said Friday morning that the four-year deal focuses on multiple undisclosed rare neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. AstraZeneca will pay Verge $42 million

Grit Biotechnology said Friday that it closed a Series B, raising more than $60 million from several Chinese investors. The financing came from several new investors, including Qianhai Ark, Liando Group, Yuanhe Capital and HeFangTian Venture Partnership, in addition to previous investors: Sherpa Healthcare Partners, Decheng Capital and Matrix Partners