Astrazeneca looks to power lupus effort over the finish line
Astrazeneca’s goal of bringing the second new lupus drug in over half a century to the market is a step closer, but all hangs on the FDA accepting mixed clinical data.
Roxadustat moves on to the regulators
A cardiac safety analysis should calm some concerns over Astrazeneca and Fibrogen’s new anaemia pill, though regulators’ views on the hugely complex programme remain…
SITC – the morning after the night before
Nextcure’s Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer presentation gave investors little reason for cheer, but there's better news for Pieris, Celyad and Nektar.
Medtech
Medtech venture investors wait longer for an exit
The period between a device company’s foundation and its acquisition has lengthened over the past few years, and currently stands at more than a decade.
The next orthopaedics megamerger
The orthopaedics sector has seen several sizeable mergers over the past decade. Might it see more?
Company Events
Vascepa's future could hinge on next week's panel
Amarin’s Vascepa is widely expected to receive approval in a huge new patient population. So why has the company not been bought?
First blood: Rubius approaches its big test
The first clinical data from Rubius Therapeutics will show whether its lead project, RTX-134, has a future. More importantly, the readout is a test of its entire red…
Iterum’s antibiotic is far from a Sure thing
Iterum should soon find out if it has an approvable asset in the antibiotic sulopenem, but even if the group succeeds it still has a hard road ahead.
Interviews
Menarini Silicon Biosystems banks on cells for its liquid biopsy
The group has the only approved cell-based cancer blood test in the world, but competing in an increasingly cutthroat market will be tough.
Sigilon Therapeutics approaches the clinic
Orphan status for its haemophilia cell therapy and buy-in from Lilly on its diabetes project are good signs for Sigilon, but research is still very early.
With new unicorn status, CMR Surgical sets profitability target
CMR Surgical’s private round is the largest ever venture deal for a European medtech. And the point is to get to profitability, not flotation.