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What’s in Today’s Brief? (February 25th Preview)
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Gilead buys Arcellx: $7.8B deal to own anito‑cel
Gilead Sciences agreed to acquire Arcellx in a $7.8 billion transaction that brings the BCMA‑directed CAR‑T therapy anito‑cel fully under Gilead’s control. The deal consolidates development and commercial rights as anito‑cel’s Biologics License Application remains under FDA review with a PDUFA target date later this year. The acquisition fast‑tracks Gilead’s push into autologous cell therapy and aims to position anito‑cel against established BCMA competitors in multiple myeloma. Arcellx will be folded into Gilead’s cell‑therapy operations, eliminating prior co‑development terms and simplifying commercialization planning. The buyout follows positive pivotal data cited by both companies and reflects pharma consolidation dynamics where large incumbents absorb clinical‑stage cell therapy platforms to secure differentiated products and worldwide rights.
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Beam targets PKU with base editing – Pfizer secures liver rights
Beam Therapeutics launched BEAM‑304, a liver‑targeted base‑editing program designed to correct common PAH mutations that cause phenylketonuria (PKU), and signaled intent to file an IND in 2026. The company described a multi‑editor strategy to address the prevalent R408W mutation and reported preclinical normalization of plasma phenylalanine in mouse models. Beam plans a Phase I/II trial to assess safety and Phe reduction. Separately, Pfizer moved to secure global rights to a liver‑targeted gene editing candidate previously held by another developer, locking in control of an in‑liver editing program as big pharmas shore up gene‑editing portfolios. Beam’s program and Pfizer’s licensing activity underscore continued industry commitment to one‑time genetic therapies for inherited metabolic disorders. Beam also finalized strategic financing to support its broader liver editing efforts and potential downstream launches.
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Novo slashes GLP‑1 prices: $675 list, touts near‑20% triple‑G data
Novo Nordisk announced a dramatic cut to list prices for its GLP‑1 medicines, moving Wegovy and Ozempic to a $675 monthly list price beginning in 2027, aimed at patients with high deductibles and copays. The pricing change follows intensified competition and policy pressure in the obesity drug market. At the same time Novo released midstage data showing its investigational triple‑G agonist drove roughly 19–20% weight loss at 24 weeks in a China study. The company framed the efficacy readout as competitive but acknowledged continued pressure after a recent head‑to‑head miss versus Eli Lilly. Together the pricing move and clinical data represent a two‑pronged strategy to defend market share amid escalating price wars and new entrants.
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GSK shells out $950M: buys 35Pharma to add HS235 for pulmonary hypertension
GlaxoSmithKline agreed to acquire Canadian biotech 35Pharma for $950 million in cash to obtain HS235, a protein‑based investigational therapy targeting activin receptor signalling with potential in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PH‑HFpEF. GSK said HS235 showed target engagement in Phase I and produced metabolic effects such as visceral fat reduction and lean‑mass preservation, positioning the asset for clinical testing in pulmonary vascular disease. GSK framed the deal as strategic, adding a candidate that could offer vascular protection with fewer bleeding risks and metabolic benefits, and expanding its respiratory and immunology portfolio. For 35Pharma the acquisition represents an early‑stage exit and validation of the company’s activin pathway approach.
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ARPA‑H awards $38M: UTSA’s Barshop named national aging hub
The Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at UT San Antonio secured up to $38 million from ARPA‑H to establish a multi‑year program focused on aging and healthy longevity. The funding will support translational projects aimed at interventions and biomarkers to extend resilience across the lifespan and position UTSA as a national center for aging research. ARPA‑H’s award reflects growing federal emphasis on longevity science and the agency’s willingness to fund high‑risk, high‑reward programs. The Barshop grant will enable collaborative efforts across basic, translational, and implementation research with the goal of generating actionable interventions that can be tested in human cohorts.
...and 5 more selected Biotech stories in today’s full edition — or archive.
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