Joining the dealmaking spree to kick off the 2025 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Eli Lilly and Co. announced it was picking up an early clinical-stage PI3Kα inhibitor program from Scorpion Therapeutics Inc. in a deal that could be worth up to $2.5 billion, while GSK plc is adding to its cancer pipeline with the acquisition of Idrx Inc. for $1 billion up front.
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Université Grenoble Alpes have developed new iridium complexes acting as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy and reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
Kymera Therapeutics Inc. has published the characterization of KT-253, a novel compound designed to degrade the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein, offering a promising approach for cancers retaining wild-type p53.
Researchers from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG have published preclinical data for their novel pan-KRAS inhibitors BI-2493 and BI-2865, both being developed for the treatment of cancer. Previous research has shown that these pan-KRAS inhibitors target KRAS in the inactive OFF state, while sparing HRAS and NRAS.
An exclusive licensing agreement with Insilico Medicine Inc. grants Menarini’s Stemline Therapeutics Inc. the global rights to develop and commercialize a preclinical small molecule for high unmet needs in oncology.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has obtained clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SYS-6041, an antibody-drug conjugate, for advanced solid tumors.
Normunity Inc. has closed a $75 million series B financing to support its pipeline of novel anticancer therapies targeting untapped drug mechanisms. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance Normunity’s lead program, NRM-823, a first-in-class T-cell engager.
Biopharma stocks saw a year of ups and downs in 2024, with the BioWorld Stock Index rising as much as 21% before dipping below 2% and ultimately closing the year up 5.16%. This performance follows a 33.59% gain in 2023 and a sharp 32.75% decline in 2022. Among the 509 stocks analyzed in the index, 169 companies (33%) ended the year with gains, while 340 (67%) saw their shares decline.
Though Pfizer Inc.’s work on a PD-1-targeting antibody has trailed far behind that of its fellow big pharmas, the company could be the first to market in treatment-naïve, high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on the back of solid phase III data showing subcutaneously administered sasanlimab hit its endpoint of event-free survival. Pfizer anticipates meeting with regulatory agencies to discuss potential filings for what could be the first new treatment for that NMIBC population in decades.
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