Biopharma News

Phase III data in thyroid eye disease, long-term ulcerative colitis outcomes, and Crohn disease advances highlight continued momentum in biologics and immunology innovation.

New long-term data reported by Eli Lilly and Company show Omvoh achieved sustained disease clearance through four years in ulcerative colitis, highlighting the potential durability of interleukin-23–targeted therapies.

Phase 3 FUZION data showed guselkumab improved fistula remission vs placebo in adults with perianal fistulizing Crohn disease.

FDA approvals, biotech acquisitions, and clinical trial updates are shaping today’s biopharma landscape. This episode of The BioPharm Brief covers the first approved PROTAC therapy for breast cancer, UCB’s planned acquisition of Candid Therapeutics, and new clinical data from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in primary immunodeficiency.

The FDA has approved vepdegestrant, the first PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera protein degrader therapy, for estrogen receptor gene-mutated ER+/HER2- advanced breast cancer, offering a new option for patients with endocrine-resistant disease.

UCB’s planned $2.2 billion acquisition of Candid Therapeutics strengthens its immunology pipeline with bispecific T-cell engagers, led by cizutamig, a BCMA/CD3-targeting antibody in early-stage trials for autoimmune diseases.

In today’s podcast, we're seeing microbiome therapies gain FDA Fast Track status, Leo Pharma expand into gene therapy via acquisition, and automation improving AAV manufacturing efficiency.

Restore Vision Inc. reported interim Phase 1/2 data showing early vision improvements in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa treated with its optogenetic gene therapy RV-001.

LEO Pharma has acquired U.S.-based gene therapy company Replay to strengthen its rare disease dermatology pipeline through a novel herpes simplex virus-based platform. The deal adds a preclinical gene therapy program targeting dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and expands LEO Pharma’s long-term strategy in genetic skin disease innovation.

Novartis has finalized its US manufacturing and R&D expansion plan with a seventh new facility in North Carolina, reinforcing domestic drug production capabilities. The investment is part of a broader $23 billion strategy to enable end-to-end manufacturing across advanced therapeutic platforms.

Zealand Pharma and Roche will advance the amylin analog petrelintide into Phase 3 trials for chronic weight management following positive mid-stage data. The move positions petrelintide as a potential differentiated obesity therapy with a focus on tolerability and sustained weight loss.

Pfizer’s Elrexfio significantly improved progression-free survival in the Phase 3 MagnetisMM-5 trial for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The results strengthen its potential as an earlier-line therapy in a difficult-to-treat patient population.

Genexine’s first-in-class SOX2 degrader GX-BP1 demonstrated up to 96% tumor growth inhibition in preclinical models presented at AACR 2026. The bioPROTAC candidate also prevented tumor relapse and restored drug sensitivity, positioning it as a promising next-generation oncology therapy.

As the biopharmaceutical industry moves increasingly toward applied AI in GMP manufacturing, emphasizing real-world use, PDA Week 2026 is expected to evolve as it further dives into risk management and data-driven quality decisions.

Survodutide delivers significant Phase III weight loss results, FDA grants RMAT status to Orca-Q, and Ligand expands its portfolio with a $739 million acquisition of XOMA.

Biopharma news highlights: Henlius and Organon gain EU approval for a pertuzumab biosimilar, while Pfizer reports Phase 3 success for Elrexfio in multiple myeloma. Genexine advances GX-BP1 targeting SOX2, signaling new progress in overcoming cancer resistance and expanding oncology innovation.

The FDA has granted RMAT designation to Orca-Q, an investigational allogeneic T-cell therapy for high-risk hematologic malignancies, based on early phase 1 data.

The BioPharm Brief covers three recent FDA developments shaping the autoimmune and inflammatory disease landscape. The agency cleared a subcutaneous autoinjector for anifrolumab in systemic lupus erythematosus, enabling at-home administration. It also granted Priority Review to nipocalimab for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, highlighting its potential as a targeted treatment for a rare condition. In addition, a supplemental application has been submitted for subcutaneous risankizumab as an induction therapy in Crohn disease, which could reduce the need for infusion-based initiation. Together, these updates reflect a growing focus on patient convenience, expanded access, and more precise treatment approaches in immune-mediated diseases.

Mid-stage data suggest Oruka Therapeutics’ ORKA-001 may deliver high levels of skin clearance with the potential for once-yearly dosing in plaque psoriasis. However, limited study details and lack of safety data make the findings preliminary.

FDA approved a AstraZeneca's subcutaneous anifrolumab autoinjector for adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus on standard therapy.

AbbVie seeks FDA approval for subcutaneous risankizumab induction in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn disease.

This episode of The BioPharm Brief covers innovation trends in biopharma hubs, a positive CHMP opinion for Novartis’ intrathecal gene therapy in spinal muscular atrophy, and early clinical data for a novel bispecific ADC in breast cancer. Key updates highlight regulatory momentum, emerging technologies, and next-generation oncology therapeutics.

Alphamab Oncology is set to unveil Phase I data for its bispecific ADC JSKN016 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) 2026 in HER2-negative breast cancer. The early clinical readout highlights encouraging antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients, supporting continued development across multiple settings.

AbbVie has received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA for trenibotulinumtoxinE (TrenibotE), citing manufacturing-related questions but no safety or efficacy concerns. The company plans a timely resubmission, underscoring continued momentum for this short-acting neurotoxin candidate in facial aesthetics.

New developments in CAR-T therapy, pediatric biologics, and oral GLP-1 treatments highlight expanding innovation across oncology, immunology, and metabolic disease. Early data and regulatory progress signal a shift toward more targeted and accessible therapies for underserved patient populations.

Phase 3a PIONEER TEENS data show oral semaglutide significantly improved glycemic control in adolescents with type 2 diabetes, addressing a major unmet need in pediatric care. Novo Nordisk plans regulatory submissions in the US and EU, positioning the therapy as a potential first oral GLP-1 option for this population.

The FDA’s approval of Dupixent (dupilumab) for the pediatric patient population extends the biologic’s use beyond its previous indication in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, marking the first biologic option available in the United States for younger children with uncontrolled chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Cell therapy process design, leronlimab cancer data, and Amneal’s biosimilars strategy highlight key biopharma trends in manufacturing and innovation.