Research & Development
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10 of our most read articles of 2024
The high drama of an election year, industry layoffs, patent cliff strategies and other key trends that shaped pharma in 2024.
By Meagan Parrish • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Merck’s RSV antibody could soon paddle into the rough waters of a crowded market
A new antibody from Merck would join a market teeming with new entries, but plenty of regulatory and financial uncertainty.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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 -
Maternal mortality trends remain dire — and researchers face an uphill battle to solve them
Rising maternal mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations, stems in part from a lack of research in pregnant women.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 17, 2024 -
A biotech’s race to tackle the most severe hepatitis
Bluejay Therapeutics is one of just a handful of companies developing treatments for hepatitis D.
By Alexandra Pecci • Dec. 17, 2024 -
3 closely watched drugs that failed in the clinic
How recent setbacks and scattered successes could impact various sectors of the industry.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Dec. 16, 2024 -
Oncology, obesity and more: Where pharma R&D is headed in 2025
With a little more certainty coming to the market, the R&D environment in 2025 will be about pipeline prioritization and accelerating M&A.
By Amy Baxter • Dec. 16, 2024 -
Will the ‘anti-woke’ movement derail DEI efforts in pharma?
Amid the DEI backlash in corporate America, pharma leaders are quietly adjusting tactics.
By Meagan Parrish • Dec. 13, 2024 -
Q&A
Regeneron’s R&D approach scores dual wins against Alexion’s Ultomiris and in lymphoma
At this year’s ASH conference, Regeneron posted results for treatments that could disrupt the standards of care in two blood-related diseases.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Endometriosis drug research, long underfunded, confronts familiar problems in women’s health
Despite the disease’s prevalence, endometriosis remains misunderstood, and research into drugs that might treat it draws scant funding — problems that have deep roots.
By Delilah Alvarado • Dec. 11, 2024 -
What’s next for 23andMe?
Amid its plummeting stock value, layoffs and cuts to its drug R&D program, the battered company is carrying on.
By Alexandra Pecci • Dec. 10, 2024 -
GSK’s multiple myeloma ADC Blenrep was pulled from the market. Now, it’s poised for a comeback.
GSK’s cancer drug failed a confirmatory trial two years after an accelerated approval, but impressive new survival data could change the tide.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Psychedelics haven’t fulfilled clinical expectations, but new trial strategies could turn the tide
Leading companies in the psychedelics space have had trouble crossing the regulatory threshold. Here’s where they’re going wrong — and how to fix it.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Q&A
How Astellas juggles the moving parts of cancer precision medicine development
While developing its first-in-class gastric cancer drug Vyloy, Astellas had to coordinate with another pharma giant to usher the precision med into the market.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 5, 2024 -
GSK taps a startup for shot at Alzheimer’s drug
The collaboration deal, which could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, is a “pivotal moment” for Muna Therapeutics, a startup that launched less than four years ago.
By Jacob Bell • Dec. 5, 2024 -
The big rebrand: Why these 4 biopharmas changed their name this year
Four companies that refreshed their mission and public persona with a new look.
By Alexandra Pecci • Dec. 4, 2024 -
How Alexion markets a rare disease drug by ‘starting with the end in mind’
The biopharma, now an arm of AstraZeneca, needs to build the plane while flying it to be first in rare diseases with no other option.
By Michael Gibney • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Can the girl power of Arrivo’s depression drug help reverse its fortunes?
After failing a mid-stage trial, the biotech shifted course and is now targeting females with the goal of proving gender can play a role in depression outcomes.
By Kelly Bilodeau • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Milk-based therapies could be coming. This biotech CEO is aiming to lead the way.
Intrinsic Medicine is entering phase 2 trials in Parkinson’s disease and IBS for its human milk oligosaccharide drug candidates next year.
By Amy Baxter • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Specialized CROs aim to boost participation among women and other underrepresented groups
Lindus Health’s women-focused CRO is the latest in a handful of research efforts to target specialized — and underrepresented — populations.
By Alexandra Pecci • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Q&A // Biotech Spotlight
An RNA biotech draws the blueprint for a late-stage Dravet syndrome trial and beyond
Stoke Therapeutics is entering phase 3 with its RNA medicine designed to treat a rare epileptic condition.
By Michael Gibney • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Trump nominees want to slash and burn agencies. Will RFK Jr. and Oz do the same in healthcare?
Both Trump appointees have promised to bring sweeping changes to several healthcare agencies.
By Amy Baxter • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Will Walgreens’ store closures derail its clinical trial aims?
Despite a plan to shutter 1,200 stores, the company’s chief clinical trials officer said the pharmacy juggernaut remains committed to drug research.
By Meagan Parrish • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Pfizer, under pressure to change, names oncology head as new R&D chief
Chris Boshoff will replace Mikael Dolsten, who’s stepping down after 15 years leading research at the drugmaker.
By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Keytruda represents almost half of Merck’s sales, and a new formulation could fend off rivals
A subcutaneous version of Merck’s Keytruda was as effective as the infused version in a late-stage study, but the company won’t be the first to market.
By Michael Gibney • Nov. 21, 2024 -
The Dodgers’ World Series run brought attention to a rare disease. Annexon is stepping up to the plate.
The company is looking to score an FDA nod for its investigational therapy that targets a molecule linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome and other autoimmune diseases.
By Alexandra Pecci • Nov. 19, 2024