The article further discusses potential issues with a new FDA policy, Project Optimus, which could delay treatment for pediatric cancer patients. It also mentions Novartis's plans to build a new radiotherapy production facility in China to meet the demand for radioligand drugs. Other news includes the FDA's second approval of Eli Lilly’s drug for a type of blood cancer, and a competition probe faced by several companies, including J&J, AbbVie, and Sanofi, in Turkey.
Key takeaways:
- Roche is acquiring Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion, Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals' share price increased after successful Phase 2 study results, and the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s Jaypirca for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Sickle cell patients, who have traditionally been underserved, are expected to be the first beneficiaries of a CRISPR-based medicine, exa-cel, developed by CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
- AstraZeneca has signed a $247 million deal with Absci Corp. to use AI for designing cancer-fighting antibody drugs, aiming to develop a new generation of targeted drugs that replace traditional chemotherapy.
- A new FDA policy, Project Optimus, could delay treatment for pediatric cancer patients by requiring trial sponsors to find the minimum effective dose before a new drug goes to market. This could also discourage drugmakers from running pediatric cancer trials due to the lower financial return compared to adult cancer trials.