Get the Daily Brief
Latest Biotech News
ASCO: Ivonescimab improves overall survival in Chinese squamous NSCLC chemo combo
Akeso’s ivonescimab, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific, reduced the risk of death by 34% versus a PD-1 inhibitor–chemotherapy comparator in a Phase 3 study in China for previously untreated advanced squamous...
Regulation: FDA Fast Track for Autobahn’s elunetirom in bipolar depression
Autobahn Therapeutics said the FDA granted Fast Track status to elunetirom (ABX-002), an investigational oral small molecule prodrug designed to activate CNS thyroid hormone receptors as an...
Biotech turnaround and capital markets: Avenzo reverse-merges with Rallybio after UCB deal disruption
Rallybio agreed to merge with Avenzo Therapeutics in a new reverse merger after a previous Candid Therapeutics deal was derailed by UCB’s $2 billion buyout. Under the agreement, Avenzo...
Regulatory & market structure: New China CGT rules reshape cell and gene therapy strategies
A report on China’s new cell and gene therapy (CGT) rules says the regulatory update could change how developers structure trials, manufacturing, and commercial planning for CGT products in the...
Dealmaking: Lilly adds Hanmi’s GLP-2 program for short bowel syndrome
Eli Lilly licensed Hanmi Pharma’s long-acting GLP-2 agonist sonefpeglutide for short bowel syndrome, paying $75 million upfront with up to $1.185 billion more tied to clinical, regulatory, and...
Oncology trial biomarker relevance: miR-371 predicts testicular cancer relapse in SWOG cohort
Interim data from SWOG S1823/GCC suggest microRNA-371a-3p (miR371) can predict relapse risk in early-stage germ cell malignancy under active surveillance, though the study authors emphasize that...
FDA and investor confidence: Replimune resubmits RP1 melanoma BLA after FDA leadership changes
Replimune said it will resubmit its biologics license application for RP1, its melanoma therapy, shortly after prior FDA rejections in July 2025 and April. The company linked the timing to...
Biotech IPO/deals snapshot: biotech IPO market strengthens in 2026, but quality bar stays high
A healthcare and life sciences IPO market update says biotech dealmaking and listing activity is strengthening in 2026, but investors continue to demand high-quality data and differentiated...
Oncology drug readouts
Revolution Medicines’ daraxonrasib posted detailed, phase 3 results at ASCO that investigators described as practice-changing in metastatic RAS G12-mutant pancreatic cancer. In the trial...
PD-1/VEGF bispecifics in lung cancer
Akeso’s ivonescimab delivered a 34% overall survival improvement in an interim analysis of the China-based phase 3 Harmoni-6 trial, presented at ASCO. In previously untreated advanced squamous...
FDA and regulatory pathway reset in immuno-oncology
Replimune is preparing a third regulatory submission for its melanoma therapy RP1 after the FDA leadership shakeups that surrounded prior review cycles. The company said it will resubmit its...
ASCO data in prostate cancer regimens
A new phase 3 hormone-regimen strategy around surgery showed signals of improved outcomes in high-risk early prostate cancer at ASCO. J&J’s Erleada (apalutamide) reduced the risk of metastasis or...
GLP-2 expansion through licensing
Eli Lilly agreed to license Hanmi Pharm’s phase 2-stage GLP-2 agonist sonefpeglutide for short bowel syndrome, extending Lilly’s push beyond traditional weight-loss chemistry into gastrointestinal...
Regulatory fast-track in CNS depression
The FDA granted Fast Track designation to Autobahn Therapeutics’ elunetirom (ABX-002) for adjunctive treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder in adults....
Biopharma dealmaking for oncology antibodies
Pfizer struck a back-heavy cancer collaboration with China’s Innovent Biologics to build a pipeline of 12 antibody-based therapies across multiple oncology indications. Pfizer will pay $650...
Diagnostics and screening evidence
ASCO will not recommend Grail’s Galleri multi-cancer early detection test for inclusion in cancer screening guidelines after reviewing data from a large prospective randomized trial. The...
Biomarker development in testicular cancer
In a prospective SWOG S1823/GCC cohort study, researchers reported that microRNA 371a-3p can identify relapse risk in early-stage testicular cancer, though the clinical utility of the biomarker...
CAR-T business move
Eli Lilly’s $3.2 billion acquisition of Kelonia Therapeutics draws on new data for an in vivo CAR-T approach. Coverage highlighted an “in vivo CAR-T” dataset with a reported 100% response rate as...
Regulatory refile for melanoma immunotherapy after FDA leadership shakeup
Replimune said it will resubmit its biologics license application for RP1 in advanced melanoma in the coming days, marking the therapy’s third attempt after two FDA rejections. The company is...
Big Pharma expands oncology antibody pipeline via China-focused collaboration
Pfizer struck a back-heavy collaboration with Innovent Biologics to build a pipeline of antibody-based cancer therapies spanning 12 early-stage assets. The deal, announced with an expected close...