Pharma Forum Oct. 7, 2024

Here are the top biotech and pharma news stories for today, October 7, 2024:

1.     MicroRNA Pioneers Win Nobel Prize in Medicine: Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of microRNAs, small RNA molecules involved in gene regulation. This research, which began with studies in roundworms, has led to significant advances in understanding diseases like heart disease and cancer, with therapeutic applications in clinical trials today. (https://pharmaphorum.com/news/microrna-pioneers-win-nobel-prize-for-medicine)

2.     AstraZeneca Expands Cardiovascular Portfolio: AstraZeneca has signed a $2 billion deal with CSPC Pharmaceutical for an innovative cardiovascular drug that targets lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a key risk factor in cardiovascular disease. This agreement strengthens AstraZeneca's pipeline as it seeks to address unmet needs in heart health alongside its other cardiovascular drugs. (https://pharmaphorum.com/news/az-extends-cardiovascular-pipeline-with-2bn-cspc-deal)

3.     Cytokinetics Faces Critical Decisions: Cytokinetics, a leader in heart failure treatments, is weighing its options regarding aficamten, its promising therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Financial moves worth over $1 billion could reshape its strategy in this area, with speculation about potential acquisitions. (https://pharmaphorum.com/news/cytokinetics-go-it-alone-strategy-aficamten)

Mergers and Collaboration:

4.     ABL Bio and Merck Collaborate on Cancer Therapies: South Korea’s ABL Bio has entered a clinical collaboration with Merck to evaluate the combination of ABL103 and Merck’s blockbuster drug Keytruda in cancer immunotherapy. This collaboration focuses on enhancing immune responses in solid tumors, a critical area of cancer research.

5.     Virios Therapeutics and Wex Pharmaceuticals Merge: In a strategic merger, Virios Therapeutics and Wex Pharmaceuticals will combine efforts to explore treatments for post-viral conditions, including Long COVID. This merger signals growing interest in addressing the long-term impacts of viral infections on human health.