Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 44m

This week's Peer Review has landed: Former CSO at Shape moves to Moderna as CTO; Eli Lilly scoops up former FDA official Peter Marks; and there are a flurry of changes happing at the FDA. Get the full rundown: endpoints.news/shapes-inter...

Shape's former CSO picks up tech role at Moderna; Lilly reels in Peter Marks

Former Shape Therapeutics CSO David Huss joins Moderna as CTO of research unit. Previously served as Shape's interim CEO before departing the Seattle biotech this summer.

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 17h

In China, biotech startups like Lantu Biopharma are racing to make low-cost gene therapies for spinal muscular atrophy, challenging Zolgensma’s $2M price tag and global reach.

In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine

Indian veterinarian Nirnay Murthy sought Lantu Biopharma's experimental gene therapy for his son's spinal muscular atrophy after being unable to afford Novartis's $2.1M Zolgensma treatment.

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 17h

Former Moderna execs Lorence Kim and Evan Rachlin launched Ascenta Capital with $325M, focusing on biotechs in early human trials.

Former Moderna leaders raise $325M for biotech venture firm Ascenta Capital

Former Moderna execs Lorence Kim and Evan Rachlin launch Ascenta Capital with $325M fund, focusing on biotech investments with six deals already completed.

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

Novo Nordisk spending $4.7B to buy MASH specialist Akero.
endpoints.news/novo-nordisk...

Novo Nordisk to buy MASH player Akero for $4.7B upfront

Novo Nordisk to acquire Akero Therapeutics for $4.7B upfront, gaining efruxifermin for MASH treatment. Deal could reach $5.2B with contingent value right.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

Expedition Therapeutics raising $165M for Chinese COPD drug.
endpoints.news/akero-ceo-is...

Akero CEO is named chair of Expedition, which raised $165M for COPD drug from China

Akero CEO Andrew Cheng named board chair at Expedition Therapeutics as company raises $165M, licenses COPD drug from Fosun Pharma with CEO Yi Larson at helm

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

Lawyers are scrambling to interpret Trump’s threatened 100% pharma tariffs, as biopharma clients seek clarity on timing, scope, and construction rules.

Lawyers scramble on how to advise clients on Trump’s 100% pharma tariff threat

Lawyers told Endpoints News that companies are struggling to understand the intricacies of Trump’s tariff warning, with confusion over how the White House is defining starting construction on factorie...

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

In Focus: Amgen’s David Reese traded his R&D role to lead its AI revolution. He calls it biotech’s ‘hinge moment’ — and Endpoints’ Andrew Dunn got an inside look.

David Reese bets his career on the 'hinge moment' for AI at Amgen

Dave Reese left Amgen R&D head role to become CTO, leading AI transformation. Working with CEO Bob Bradway, he's reorganizing company to integrate AI across drug development processes.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

Former FDA biologics chief Peter Marks is joining Eli Lilly as SVP for molecule discovery and head of infectious diseases, months after his CBER exit.
endpoints.news/lilly-hires-...

Lilly hires ex-CBER chief Marks, who is focusing on molecule discovery and infectious diseases

Peter Marks, former FDA official who led CBER, joins Eli Lilly as SVP for molecule discovery and head of infectious diseases after resigning from FDA in March.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 1d

Sanofi and Orano Med’s radiopharma AlphaMedix met both primary endpoints in Phase 2 for a rare type of cancer, suggesting tumor shrinkage and prolonged benefits.
endpoints.news/sanofi-and-r...

Sanofi and radioligand partner Orano Med report mid-stage win in rare tumor

Sanofi and Orano Med's AlphaMedix succeeds in Phase 2 trial for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, demonstrating meaningful response rates at two years.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 2d

Soufflé Therapeutics, co-founded by Bob Langer, launched with $200M to develop targeted genetic medicines for muscle, heart, and metabolic diseases.

Soufflé Therapeutics, co-founded by Bob Langer, launches with $200M

Moderna co-founder Bob Langer's Soufflé Therapeutics emerges from stealth with $200M Series A, targeting muscle and heart diseases including FSHD with nucleic acid therapies.

endpoints.news

2 4

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 2d

AstraZeneca scores a win in its mid-stage trial for its hypertension candidate.

AstraZeneca’s hypertension pill scores second late-stage win

AstraZeneca's baxdrostat succeeds in second Phase 3 trial in resistant hypertension, showing significant blood pressure reduction in 24-hour ambulatory measurements

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 2d

Women still hold very few CEO positions in biopharma, our latest analysis shows, and the gender balance is worst among the largest drugmakers. Those who make it to the top earn an average of 29% less than their male counterparts.

Biopharma makes little progress on gender diversity, as women make up 11% of CEO ranks

Women hold 10.8% of CEO positions in life sciences companies, with only 5 female CEOs among 57 major biopharma firms worth over $10B. Vertex CEO Reshma Kewalramani is sole woman leading $100B+ company...

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

Our annual Women in Biopharma list is here — meet 20 leaders breaking new ground, from early discovery to patient advocacy.
endpoints.news/special-repo...

Meet 20 women reshaping biopharma, from early discovery to patient advocacy

A project highlighting women in biopharma has grown since 2019, now honoring over 140 women who've shaped the industry through work on rare diseases, IPOs, AI drug discovery and patient advocacy. Desp...

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

MapLight approaches $227M IPO at Nasdaq with its experimental drug to treat schizophrenia.
endpoints.news/maplight-eye...

MapLight eyes $227M IPO as biopharma market warms up

MapLight Therapeutics aims to raise $227M in Nasdaq IPO, selling shares at $17 each. Company develops drug for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's, similar to Bristol Myers' Cobenfy.

endpoints.news

1 1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

🎙️ Join us LIVE today at 2pm ET 🎙️ Vijay Pande will sit with @andrewedunn.bsky.social to discuss life after a16z and what's next with AI in the bio world.
endpoints.news/post-hoc-liv...

Live at 2 p.m. ET: Vijay Pande on what's next after a16z, his outlook of AI in bio

Post-Hoc Live show on Oct. 7 with Vijay Pande, former a16z biotech/healthcare investing head; will discuss AI bio trends and his new venture firm VZVC

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

Abivax has released more data from its late-stage ulcerative colitis victory, sending its shares $ABVX soaring.
endpoints.news/abivax-relea...

Abivax releases more data from major Phase 3 wins in ulcerative colitis

Abivax reports new Phase 3 analyses showing obefazimod improved outcomes by 28% vs placebo in ulcerative colitis patients who had success with prior treatments.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi win Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discoveries of the immune system's self-regulation.
endpoints.news/mary-brunkow...

Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi win Nobel for key immune system discoveries

Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Brunkow, Ramsdell & Sakaguchi for immune system discoveries involving Treg cells & Foxp3 gene, leading to autoimmune disease insights

endpoints.news

2

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 3d

Skye's shares tanked this morning with the news that it's mid-stage cannabinoid obesity trial didn't deliver expected weight loss.
endpoints.news/skyes-cannab...

Skye’s cannabinoid drug fails in mid-stage obesity trial

Skye Bioscience’s obesity shot has failed in a mid-stage trial, adding to the evidence that cannabinoid receptor 1 inhibitors have little effect in the disease.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 4d

Pfizer wasn’t the only buyer interested Metsera, and it also didn’t pay as much as the obesity biotech’s board desired. We've got the details behind the deal: endpoints.news/metsera-got-...

Metsera got less than it wanted from Pfizer in long-awaited obesity biotech acquisition

Pfizer wasn't the only pharma interested in buying Metsera, and it also didn't pay as much as the obesity biotech's board desired, according to new regulatory documents outlining their $4.9 billion M&...

endpoints.news

1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 6d

Rocket Pharmaceuticals has said it's withdrawing its FDA application for a gene therapy to treat a rare blood disorder. The news comes after the company laid off 30% of staff this summer.
endpoints.news/rocket-withd...

Rocket withdraws FDA application for rare blood disorder gene therapy

Rocket Pharmaceuticals withdraws FDA application for Fanconi anemia gene therapy mozafancogene autotemcel, following earlier EMA withdrawal and company restructuring

endpoints.news

Reposted by Endpoints News

Ryan Cross @scienceboss.bsky.social · 8d

I am heading to Spain next week to cover the #ESGCT2025 meeting for @endpts.com. If you're presenting new cell therapy, gene therapy, gene editing or RNA therapy research at the meeting, or just want to meet, reach out!

1 1 1

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 6d

Cidara Therapeutics has won a BARDA award for a flu-prevention candidate. The award is worth up to $339M and will be used for additional clinical research.
endpoints.news/cidara-recei...

Cidara receives BARDA award worth up to $339M for candidate that prevents flu

Cidara Therapeutics gets $339M HHS award for US manufacturing and trials of CD388 flu antiviral. Initial $58M for onshore production, with $281M option for further studies.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 7d

In this week's Peer Review: GSK CEO will hand the keys to commercial chief on Jan 1.; Astellas axed Chief Digital Officer position; and Oz Azam takes over as Cue Biopharma's CEO. Read the full rundown of this week's biggest job news: endpoints.news/gsks-dream-a...

GSK’s ‘dream appointment’ in place to succeed Emma Walmsley; Astellas eliminates a top job

→ GSK CEO Emma Walmsley surprised everyone this week by announcing that she’d hand the keys to commercial chief Luke Miels on Jan. 1, reasserting that �now ...

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 7d

Biotech IPOs in Hong Kong are booming, with over 40 filings this year — more than 4x the US — as China’s biotech sector outpaces a sluggish US market.

Biotech IPOs in Hong Kong far outpace the US, driven by China’s buzzy biotech sector

Chinese biopharma IPO filings surge to 42 in 2023, outpacing US listings. LB Pharmaceuticals ended US IPO drought with $285M raise, while MapLight Therapeutics plans next US listing.

endpoints.news

Endpoints News @endpts.com · 7d

New SEC docs reveal how Roche’s $2.4B buyout of 89bio came together — with no rival bids, rising offers, and years of relationship building.

Behind-the-scenes details of 89bio's $2.4B deal with Roche

Roche acquired 89bio for $2.4B after multiple increased offers and no competing bids. Deal included exploring pegozafermin for MASH and followed 2 years of discussions.

endpoints.news

1