Today Stories

Sanofi has announced a new commitment of $625 million to Sanofi Ventures, its corporate venture capital division, in a multi year allocation aimed at accelerating investments in biotech and digital health innovation. This infusion expands the fund’s assets under management to more than $1.4 billion. The capital will support emerging companies working in Sanofi’s strategic focus areas including immunology, rare diseases, neurology and vaccines. The company has also signalled an interest in new domains such as ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry and pain biology. Since its founding in 2012, Sanofi Ventures has invested more than $800 million across over 70 companies. Its structure is evergreen, meaning that returns from exits are reinvested to fuel future deals and maintain long term impact. Sano…

Pfizer has announced plans to acquire Metsera, a biotech firm developing next generation obesity medicines, in a deal that could reach up to 7.3 billion US dollars. The deal structure includes an upfront cash payment of 47.50 dollars per share, plus potential additional payments tied to future performance milestones. Metsera, founded in 2022, has no marketed products yet but is advancing a pipeline of injectable and oral therapies targeting obesity and metabolic disease. Its lead asset, MET 097i, is a long acting GLP 1 agonist that in mid stage trials achieved average weight loss of about 11.3 percent over 12 weeks. The company also recently disclosed positive Phase 1 results for an amylin analog candidate, MET 233i, which demonstrated up to 8.4 percent placebo subtracted weight loss at Da…

Recent comments from President Donald Trump have reignited debate about autism and possible contributing factors. The administration linked acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism risk and promoted leucovorin as a new autism treatment. However, scientists stress that the evidence is far from conclusive. Large population studies in Europe and the United States have found little to no causal link between maternal acetaminophen use and autism once family factors are considered. Reviews note associations in some observational research, but major health bodies including ACOG and the NHS continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest option for pain and fever during pregnancy when used at the lowest effective dose. The FDA has also approved leucovorin for symptoms of cerebral folate deficien…

President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced controversial health guidance connecting use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy with an increased risk of autism in children. At a White House event alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump urged expectant mothers to avoid acetaminophen unless absolutely necessary. Experts immediately pushed back noting that current scientific evidence does not confirm a causal link between the drug and autism. In the same announcement the administration said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will approve leucovorin, a folinic acid drug, as a therapy for a specific subgroup of autism where cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) is present. Leucovorin is not being promoted as a cure for autism overall, but as a treatment for sympto…

University College London is leading a new clinical trial called ADAPT (Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma p-tau217) that could transform how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in the UK. The trial centres on a blood test that detects a protein marker p-tau217, which reflects the build-up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, two key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The goal is to see whether this test can increase diagnostic accuracy from around 70 percent with current clinical assessments to over 90 percent. Over 1,000 people with suspected dementia will be recruited from about 20 NHS memory clinics. Participants will be randomised into two groups: half will receive results within three months, the other half after 12 months. Researchers will examine whether earlier feedback improves di…

MSD (Merck & Co., Inc.) will vacate its laboratories at the Francis Crick Institute in London by end‑2025 as it winds down discovery research in the UK. The move follows the decision to scrap a planned £1bn Discovery Centre at Belgrove House, with about 125 London R&D roles affected and work consolidating in the United States. MSD cited a challenging UK market and policies that under‑value innovative medicines. The company says it will continue UK clinical development and business operations. The Francis Crick Institute and MSD only opened the ‘Skylab’ collaboration space on the institute’s roof in 2024 to expand early‑stage research programmes, underscoring the scale of the reversal.

Novo Nordisk is embarking on a sweeping global restructuring program that will eliminate 9,000 jobs; approximately 11–11.5 percent of its 78,400-strong workforce. Around 5,000 of these reductions will take place in Denmark. The move is intended to simplify the organisation and hasten decision-making as the company contends with mounting competitive pressures, particularly in obesity treatments from rivals such as Eli Lilly, and slowing growth in key markets. The firm has already imposed a hiring freeze for roles deemed non-critical. This restructuring is expected to yield annual savings of nearly 8 billion Danish kroner (about $1.25 billion) by 2026, although it will incur one-off costs of around 9 billion kroner (~$1.26 billion) in the third quarter. Novo has revised its operating profit…

Eli Lilly has unveiled TuneLab, an innovative AI and machine learning platform that gives smaller biotechnology companies access to powerful drug discovery models built on over a billion dollars of Lilly’s research data. Engineered to level the playing field, the platform connects biotech startups to advanced capabilities previously limited to large pharmaceutical firms. Participants such as Insitro, Circle Pharma, Firefly Bio, and Superluminal Medicines can deploy Lilly’s models via a secure, federated system that protects proprietary data while enabling Lilly to refine and enhance those models using contributed insights. As part of its broader Catalyze360 program, Lilly integrates TuneLab alongside initiatives including venture investment, lab access, and R&D support. This combined s…

Highly experienced Chief Financial Officer set to drive corporate and strategic goals of Resolution. Accomplished Chief Business Officer will drive business development and partnering deals. Appointments follow the announcement of the first patient dosed and safety cleared in its Phase I/II EMERALD study. Edinburgh and London, UK, 10 September 2025 – Resolution Therapeutics (“Resolution” or “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering novel regenerative macrophage therapies to treat inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, today announces the appointment of Lucy Singah as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Daniel Kennedy as Chief Business Officer (CBO). Dr. Amir Hefni, Chief Executive Officer of Resolution Therapeutics, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lucy…

Novartis announced it will acquire Tourmaline Bio for approximately $1.4 billion, offering $48 per share, a significant premium over recent stock prices. The acquisition will provide Novartis access to pacibekitug, a promising anti-inflammatory drug candidate nearing Phase III trials for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Both companies’ boards have approved the deal, and Novartis will initiate a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, after which Tourmaline will become an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. The move bolsters Novartis’ growing cardiovascular disease portfolio and aligns with its broader strategic focus. Analysts see the timing as logical, given recent strong Phase 2 data for pacibek…

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with U.S.-based Braveheart Bio for its novel small-molecule cardiac myosin inhibitor, HRS-1893, currently in Phase III trials for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). Under the agreement, Hengrui grants Braveheart Bio rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise the drug globally, excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The deal includes an upfront payment of USD 65 million – half in cash and half in Braveheart Bio equity – plus a near-term USD 10 million milestone upon completion of technology transfer, making an initial total of USD 75 million. Hengrui is also eligible for up to USD 1.013 billion in further development and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties o…

Clerkenwell Health has launched the UK’s first fully NHS‑embedded commercial research site dedicated to brain and mental health, in partnership with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH). Located within an existing NHS facility in Doncaster, the site serves over 1.3 million people across South Yorkshire. This initiative offers NHS patients quicker access to cutting‑edge investigational treatments while addressing long‑standing delays that have discouraged global sponsors from conducting trials in the UK. By utilising underused NHS infrastructure and collaborating closely with NHS clinicians, the site also creates local jobs, enhances research capability through upskilling, and boosts workforce development. Rather than a pilot, it is the first in a planned nation…

United Therapeutics recently announced that its pivotal TETON-2 clinical trial of nebulized Tyvaso (treprostinil) inhalation solution for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis achieved its primary endpoint. The study revealed a significant improvement in absolute forced vital capacity compared with placebo. Encouraging results were also seen across most secondary endpoints, such as time to first clinical worsening and quality of life measures. Strong outcomes from TETON-2 are intended to support a supplemental New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration for an expanded indication in IPF. The company also intends to consult with the FDA later this year to explore opportunities to accelerate regulatory review. Additionally, more detailed findings are expected to be shared at the upco…

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has approved a novel first‑line treatment for adults with unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer who are eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy. The regimen combines enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and is now available on the NHS in England and Wales. Clinical trials revealed that the new combination nearly doubled progression‑free survival—from 6.3 to 12.5 months—and extended overall survival dramatically, with median overall survival reaching 33.8 months compared to 15.9 months with chemotherapy alone. Around 30 percent of patients had no detectable cancer after treatment, markedly higher than rates seen with traditional chemotherapy. Oncology experts have hailed the development as a transformational…

Roche, together with its partner Alnylam, is propelling the RNA interference therapy zilebesiran into a Phase III cardiovascular outcomes trial following compelling Phase II results. At the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025, data from the KARDIA‑3 study were presented. While the trial did not meet its primary endpoint due to statistical constraints, the 300 mg dose achieved a placebo‑adjusted systolic blood pressure reduction of 5 mmHg at Month 3 (p = 0.0431), with sustained benefits through Month 6. Safety data were encouraging, and subgroup analysis suggested enhanced benefit when zilebesiran was combined with a diuretic. The comprehensive insights from the KARDIA‑1 through KARDIA‑3 studies guided the decision to launch a global Phase III cardiovascular outcomes trial, targete…

Regeneron’s experimental siRNA therapy, cemdisiran, successfully met the main objectives in a Phase III trial for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis. In the 24‑week study, cemdisiran monotherapy led to a 74 percent reduction in complement protein C5 levels and delivered measurable improvement in patients’ daily activities such as talking and eating. When combined with Regeneron’s approved C5 blocker pozelimab (Veopoz), C5 suppression increased to nearly 99 percent, though cemdisiran alone performed slightly better on key disease‑specific outcomes. No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. The company now plans to submit an FDA marketing application in early 2026. This development positions cemdisiran as a promising competitor in the field, potentially offering at‑hom…

Moderna has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its 2025‑2026 COVID‑19 vaccine formulations—namely Spikevax and the new vaccine mNEXSPIKE. These updated vaccines are designed to target the emerging LP.8.1 variant of SARS‑CoV‑2. Spikevax is authorised for individuals aged six months through 64 years with at least one underlying high‑risk condition, as well as all adults aged 65 years and older. mNEXSPIKE, a new lower‑dose vaccine, is approved for those aged 12 through 64 with high‑risk conditions and all adults aged 65 and above . mNEXSPIKE offers a significant dosage reduction—about one‑fifth of Spikevax—achieved by refining the vaccine’s immune target. This design supports enhanced efficacy with potentially fewer side effects. Clinical data show that mNEXSPIKE demonstr…

Lundbeck is advancing bexicaserin - an oral 5‑HT₂C receptor agonist initially developed by Longboard Pharmaceuticals - for the treatment of severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), including Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. Lundbeck acquired the asset through a ~$2.6 billion takeover of Longboard in late 2024. In a 12‑month open‑label extension (OLE) of the Phase 1b/2a PACIFIC trial, bexicaserin delivered a sustained and clinically meaningful reduction in motor seizures—median decrease of 59.3% from baseline. Participants who had been on bexicaserin from the trial start achieved a 60.4% reduction; those switching from placebo saw a 58.2% decrease. The safety profile remained favourable, with most participants completing the year-long study and common adverse…

AbbVie has agreed to acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ lead investigational therapy for major depressive disorder, bretisilocin, in a deal valued at up to $1.2 billion. Bretisilocin is a novel serotonin 5‑HT2A receptor agonist and serotonin releaser that delivers shorter psychoactive effects while offering enduring therapeutic benefits. This acquisition extends AbbVie’s reach in psychiatric treatment development following a phase failure in schizophrenia—part of the company’s broader strategy to revitalize its neuroscience portfolio amid biosimilar pressures on its blockbuster Humira. Gilgamesh will spin off its remaining programs—including NMDA antagonist, ibogaine analog, and M1/M4 agonist pipelines—into a new company, Gilgamesh Pharma Inc. This definitive agreement builds on an earlier…

Kite Pharma, a Gilead Sciences subsidiary, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Interius BioTherapeutics—a privately held biotechnology firm—for $350 million in cash. The strategic acquisition brings to Kite an innovative in vivo CAR‑T platform capable of creating CAR T‑cells directly within patients via a single intravenous infusion. This eliminates the need for the complicated and costly process of harvesting and engineering cells outside the body and may enhance treatment durability by integrating DNA into the patient’s genome. The deal is anticipated to lower Gilead’s GAAP and non‑GAAP earnings per share for 2025 by about $0.23 to $0.25. Upon closing - subject to antitrust clearance under the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino Act and other standard conditions—Interius’s operations and perso…