All articles by Phalguni Deswal
Phalguni Deswal
@Phalguni_GD
Phalguni Deswal is a trainee healthcare and pharmaceutical reporter. With a background in medicine, Phalguni has experience working in the Indian healthcare sector. Phalguni is interested in metabolic drug therapies, digital health technologies, and drug development.
Rhythm expands obesity portfolio with Phase II weight loss drug for $100m
Rhythm to acquire global rights for South Korean LG Chem’s oral obesity drug LB54640 for $100m in cash and equity.
Agios’s mitapivat meets endpoints in Phase III thalassemia trial
Agios plans to file regulatory approval for mitapivat by the end of the year after it met primary and secondary endpoints in the Phase III trial.
Novartis allies with Voyager to develop gene therapies in $1.3bn deal
Novartis will pay $100m upfront and up to $1.2bn in milestone-based payments and royalties on net sales.
TiumBio raises $12m to advance clinical pipeline development
The South Korean company plans to use the funds to advance the development of endometriosis therapy, merigolix.
FDA warns of rare hypersensitivity reaction due to antiseizure drugs
FDA warns that levetiracetam and clobazam can cause DRESS, a rare hypersensitivity reaction which can be life threatening if not treated quickly.
J&J jumps on ADC train, signs $1.7bn licensing deal with LegoChem
J&J has acquired a global license for South Korean LegoChem’s ADC for $100m upfront along with milestone-based payments and tiered royalties on sales.
AstraZeneca buys Chinese CAR-T biotech Gracell in a $1.2bn deal
The deal is worth approximately $1.2bn in combined upfront and potential contingent value payments and is expected to close in Q1 2024.
Biogen fend off generics of MS drug Tecfidera in Europe until 2025
The European Commission (EC) has revoked marketing authorisations for Tecfidera generics, granting the drug marketing protection until February 2025.
INmune’s Alzheimer’s trial still on clinical hold, FDA requests more data
The FDA has requested additional information on long-term potency after the Phase II trial was first put on clinical hold due to manufacturing issues in 2022.
Novo Nordisk Foundation sets up airborne infection vaccine initiative
The foundation has invested Dkr1.8bn in the initiative to develop vaccines for tuberculosis, influenza, and group A streptococcus.