Takeda CEO Christophe Weber warned that various global problems could bring down drug prices and hurt investment in biopharma innovation. Biogen and Samsung Bioepis launched the partnership's first U.S. biosimilar, a copycat version of Roche's Lucentis. Astellas inked an antibody discovery pact with GO Therapeutics. And more.
1. A 'perfect storm' of world calamities may bring down drug prices, Takeda CEO says
Climate change, a global pandemic, economic recession, geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine have created a “perfect storm scenario” that will hurt investment in healthcare innovation and could accelerate "downward pressure on drug pricing,” Takeda CEO Christophe Weber wrote in a letter to shareholders.
2. Biogen, Samsung Bioepis launch first US biosimilar, a copycat of Roche's Lucentis, at 40% discount
Together with partner Samsung Bioepis, Biogen is rolling out Byooviz, its first U.S. biosimilar. The drug copies Roche’s Lucentis and is the first eye disease biosimilar in the U.S. Biogen will initially focus on speading the word among ophthalmologists, and it has assembled a U.S. biosimilar sales team to do just that. The pair is offering Byooviz at a 40% discount to the original drug.
3. GO! Astellas picks up partner in convertibleCAR for backloaded $780M antibody project
Astellas’ Xyphos Biosciences is plunking down $20.5 million upfront to team up with GO Therapeutics to design antibodies for two targets. Astellas offers its CAR platform called ACCEL, which combines a CAR on immune cells with bispecific-antibody-based molecules. GO will leverage its expertise in cancer O-glycoproteins.
4. Takeda returns Spikevax COVID vaccine in Japan to Moderna (release)
Takeda will return Japanese marketing rights to COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax to its developer Moderna. Takeda will help Moderna distribute the shot for awhile as the U.S. company gets up to speed, while Moderna will take control of everything else, including development, regulatory, manufacturing and commercialization work. The move comes as Moderna aggressively expands its footprint globally.
5. Jubilant snags $146.6M US contract to double injectables production
Jubilant HollisterStier, a contract manufacturing subsidiary of India’s Jubilant Pharmova, snagged a $146.6 million contract with several agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money will help the company double its injectables filling capacity, which it expects to complete by 2025.
6. After $500M IPO, HK inno.N enters exosome drug delivery via Ilias pact
South Korea-based HK inno.N has teamed with Ilias Biologics to co-develop exosome-based drug candidates for chronic diseases and acute respiratory infections. Ilias offers an intracellular delivery technology that loads proteins into exosomes without tethering the molecule to the cell membrane. The approach lifts limits on the range and functionality of the cargo, Ilias says.
7. Vivo Capital raises China-focused $600M fund, with target for $1.5B (DealStreetAsia)
Healthcare-focused Vivo Capital has held the first closing of a China-focused fund at 4 billion yuan ($600 million), with a target of eventually raising about 10 billion yuan. The capital came from institutional investors, including several local government funds, commercial banks and biopharma companies in China. Vivo counts WuXi AppTec, Zai Lab and Legend Biotech among its portfolio companies.