Recent Updates

• Moderna CMO Talks COVID-19 Vaccine at the Xcelerate Keynote Series

  The Xcelerate Keynote Series has added Moderna CMO Tal Zaks to the expert lineup of speakers set to present next Monday, Sept. 21. As you likely know, Moderna is one of the front-runners in the COVID-19 vaccine race, and we look forward to adding his insight to a packed...

• Join Xconomy Next Week at the Virtual Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston

  Presented by Xconomy, the online Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston on Monday, Sept. 21 places a spotlight on life science leaders who are breaking new ground with methods and solutions in R&D, planning, and production that are improving patient outcome...

• Q&A: BIO CEO Michelle McMurray-Heath Outlines Diversity Goals

  It would be hard to find a more challenging time for Michelle McMurry-Heath to join the Biotechnology Innovation Organization as its CEO given the COVID-19 pandemic and the protests over racial inequality in the US. But the organization is trying to rise to the occasion...

• Early Bird Sale for Xcelerate at Biotech Week Boston Ends This Friday

  Don’t miss out on savings for this year’s online Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston – our early bird sale ends this Friday! Speakers include: Jeff Baker – Deputy Director, Office of Biotechnology Products, FDA Michelle McMurry-Heath ...

• Roche Pays $120M for Rights to UCB’s Tau-Targeting Alzheimer’s Drug

  As the Alzheimer’s disease world continues to closely follow the development of therapies that break up clumps of beta amyloid on patients’ brains, Roche is placing a bet on another approach via a deal that secures rights to a clinical-stage UCB compound that target...

• Blackstone Pays Alnylam $1B to Grab a Stake in RNAi Drug Inclisiran

  Seven years ago Alnylam Pharmaceuticals sold rights to one of its preclinical drugs, gaining upfront cash and $180 million in potential milestone payments, plus royalties, for a therapy taking a novel approach to lowering cholesterol. On Monday, the company announced th...

• Amgen’s Osteoporosis Drug Wins European Nod, With a Heart Warning

  An osteoporosis drug developed by Amgen now has marketing approval in Europe, but it carries a warning that the medicine can raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. Romosozumab (Evenity) treats postmenopausal woman who have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones,...

• Alnylam Gets Quick FDA OK for Second RNAi Rare Disease Drug

  [Updated 11/21/19, 10:05 a.m. See below.] An Alnylam Pharmaceuticals drug developed to treat a rare, inherited metabolic disorder won FDA approval on Wednesday, the second regulatory nod the company has received for a drug that turns off a gene to prevent it from causin...

• UCB Stakes Out Autoimmune Territory With $2.1B Deal for Ra Pharma

  Ra Pharmaceuticals, whose lead autoimmune disease drug candidate is viewed as a potential alternative to one of the most expensive medicines in the world, is being acquired by Belgian pharmaceuticals giant UCB in a $2.1 billion deal. According to terms announced Thursda...