Episode 94

On this week’s episode of Biotech Hangout, hosts Daphne Zohar, Brad Loncar, Tim Opler, Michal Preminger, Eric Schmidt and Yaron Werber discuss the latest biotech news, including commentary on the biotech sector performance in 2024 and a pharma R&D investment overview. The hosts cover the week’s notable M&A, including AstraZeneca’s acquisition of Amolyt plus Novartis’ acquisition of IFM Due and a related discussion on option-to-buy deals. The group also discusses Ionis meeting the primary endpoint in its Phase 2 MASH trial and Madrigal’s historic accelerated approval for NASH/MASH. Other topics include Eli Lilly’s partnership with Amazon pharmacy to dispense prescription medicines and the impact of cutting out the middle man, as well as anticipated regulatory updates for Legend and 2Seventy Bio. The hosts weigh-in on the BioSecure Act that led BIO to cut ties with WuXi and the impact the bill may have on other Chinese CROs. The group also flagged recently reported Phase 2 data for Silence Therapeutics’ Lp(a) therapy and Acadia’s schizophrenia treatment pimavanserin fails Phase 3 study. *This episode aired on March 15, 2024.