Biotech’s VC slowdown forces young drugmakers to adapt in the ‘valley of death’

Amid the sector’s long winter, startups are shifting gears to extend their cash runways.

By Michael Gibney • Sept. 17, 2025

Moderna and BioNTech pioneered mRNA vaccines. But who will make a mark in therapeutics?

While mRNA changed the game in vaccines, leveraging the technology to develop treatments has been trickier to navigate.

By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 15, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial intelligence & machine learning

After years of excited buzz around the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning, pharma has begun to realize the true implications and potential value of these technologies.

By PharmaVoice staff

4 years from clinic to approval — Precigen’s ‘unprecedented’ FDA nod and what comes next

The company scored the first-ever approval to treat a potentially deadly infection leveraging its gene therapy platform.

By Meagan Parrish • Sept. 12, 2025

A new class of sleep drugs draws Wall Street’s attention

Clinical trial data presented this weekend show drugs from Takeda, Alkermes and Eisai significantly helped people with narcolepsy, heralding a new era of sleep medicine.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 10, 2025

Pharma’s new boomtown? Why drugmakers are setting up shop in a small Swiss city.

While the EU and UK attempt to lure scientists with new financial incentives, Basel’s stable economy and emphasis on science remains a draw.

By Alexandra Pecci • Sept. 10, 2025

Can new Alzheimer’s tests help clear the way for the next generation of therapies?

A tau-related blood test could offer more insight in early-disease pathology to the complicated Alzheimer’s disease space.

By Michael Gibney • Sept. 9, 2025

Inside pharma’s race to deliver new treatments for dwarfism

By targeting the underlying genetic mutation that drives the condition, researchers hope to increase height and address debilitating complications.

By Kelly Bilodeau • Sept. 8, 2025

How AI advances will shape the drugmaker of the future

An AI revolution is taking place, and leaders from tech to Big Pharma are forecasting what drugmakers of the future will look like.

By Michael Gibney • Sept. 2, 2025

FDA approves updated COVID boosters, but narrows use

In a post on X, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said the FDA has cleared vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax for use in "high risk" individuals.

By Delilah Alvarado • Updated Aug. 27, 2025

AbbVie dives back into the neuro pool with a $1.2B psychedelics play

Following a major clinical failure last year, AbbVie’s purchase of a psychedelic depression treatment has the potential to revive a touch-and-go market.

By Michael Gibney • Aug. 26, 2025

Why an FDA decision for a new drug could ripple through the ultra-rare disease space

All eyes are on Stealth BioTherapeutics as it awaits a long-delayed approval for its first-in-class treatment for Barth syndrome.

By Alexandra Pecci • Aug. 26, 2025

And just like that... pharma’s breakups reveal pain points in cancer R&D

Biotech tie-ups with Gilead, Genetech and Ipsen that have recently been let go.

By Meagan Parrish • Aug. 22, 2025

In cell therapy, cost is a hot issue. The industry might need a cold solution.

The logistical linchpin of cryopreservation could make a challenging space more accessible.

By Michael Gibney • Aug. 19, 2025

Biopharma layoffs rise as drugmakers tighten belts and reorganize

Contrary to a predicted slowdown, 2025’s layoffs are outpacing 2024.

By Kelly Bilodeau • Aug. 18, 2025

With scrapped mRNA funding, a vaccine maker finds a silver lining

While mRNA is suffering the brunt of the MAHA movement with $500 million in funding cuts, other vaccine makers could fill some of that void.

By Michael Gibney • Aug. 14, 2025

Puerto Rico’s ongoing journey from manufacturing hub to innovation enterprise

Biotechs are coming to the island as tariffs threaten overseas drug exports, and finding Puerto Rico is more than just a leading manufacturing hub.  

By Michael Gibney • Aug. 12, 2025

Are stem cell therapies ready for pharma’s prime time?

Stem cell therapies are thriving on the fringes of healthcare — but science-backed treatments are also poised to make an impact in pharma R&D.

By Kelly Bilodeau • Aug. 11, 2025

David Altshuler, geneticist who helped transform Vertex, to retire next year

Since becoming Vertex's top scientist in 2015, Altshuler has helped the company become an industry powerhouse. He’ll depart next year in a “planned transition.”

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 5, 2025

Let’s make a deal? Big Pharma execs express varying views on their M&A future

Pharma executives are keeping their eyes open for dealmaking opportunities as every company has its own battles to fight.

By Michael Gibney • Aug. 5, 2025

Dr. Vinay Prasad, controversial FDA official, abruptly departs agency

Prasad's exit ends a tumultuous tenure during which he led a reworking of agency guidelines on COVID vaccines and his office got embroiled in controversy over a Duchenne gene therapy.

By Ben Fidler • July 30, 2025

Biotech investing is down, but some VC firms are bucking the trend

Discipline is the name of the game after a glut of over-investing burst the biotech bubble.

By Alexandra Pecci • July 29, 2025

Could bispecifics unseat Keytruda from its oncology throne?

Signals suggest the drugs could improve on the standard of care, but the market may not make it easy for another megablockbuster to rise to the top.

By Kelly Bilodeau • July 28, 2025

From the bench: Researchers make NIH-funded preclinical strides in mRNA and obesity

The studies are contributing preclinical advances for some of the world’s biggest blockbusters.

By Michael Gibney • July 25, 2025

Who is Dr. George Tidmarsh, the new director of CDER?

Despite past criticism of public health policies, Tidmarsh recently praised the FDA and said he’ll focus on boosting review efficiencies.

By Meagan Parrish and Michael Gibney • July 23, 2025

FDA invites more data from abroad — with a wary eye on China

The FDA approved four drugs last year without any U.S. trial participants, but has maintained a tougher stance on China, even as it grows into an R&D powerhouse.

By Amy Baxter • July 16, 2025