Omalizumab

Roche and Novartis’ Xolair (omalizumab) received FDA approval in February 2024 as the first drug to reduce allergic reactions from accidental food exposure, including peanuts, milk, and wheat. Additionally, Palforzia's peanut allergy treatment expanded in Europe to include toddlers.

2024 was a challenging year for the biopharma industry, with companies like Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson cutting hundreds to thousands of jobs. Cassava Sciences announced layoffs of 10 employees, 33% of its workforce, following a failed Phase III trial for its Alzheimer's drug. CytomX Therapeutics cut 40% of its staff to focus on clinical programs. Velia, a San Diego biotech, is shutting down, affecting 47 employees. Regeneron's acquisition of Oxular led to layoffs, with no Oxular employees joining Regeneron. Javara, Ring Therapeutics, Outlook Therapeutics, Editas, Bavarian Nordic, BenevolentAI, Chroma Medicine and Nvelop Therapeutics, Cellectar Biosciences, Carisma Therapeutics, Belharra Therapeutics, National Resilience, AmplifyBio, Agenus, Alligator Bioscience, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals, Kronos Bio, Novartis, Recursion Therapeutics, Medigene, Alector, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sonata Therapeutics, 23andMe, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Gilead Sciences, Adaptimmune, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Orna Therapeutics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Charles River Laboratories, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Viracta Therapeutics, Astellas Gene Therapies, Sana Biotechnology, Sage Therapeutics, Compass Pathways, Spero Therapeutics, ICON, Pfizer, Takeda, SalioGen Therapeutics, Evonik, Medtronic, CareFusion Resources, Turnstone Biologics, Leo Pharma, Astellas Pharma, Prime Medicine, Kaléo, Stryker, Relay Therapeutics, ImmunityBio, Shattuck Labs, Inventprise, bluebird bio, Athira Pharma, AGC Biologics, Oncternal Therapeutics, Biosense Webster, Vesigen Therapeutics, Connect Biopharma, BioMarin, IN8bio, Edwards Lifesciences, DermTech, Repare Therapeutics, Genentech, Tome Biosciences, Aadi Bioscience, Lykos Therapeutics, Evotec, Galera Therapeutics, Grail, Ovid Therapeutics, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Acelyrin, Boundless Bio, FibroGen, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, AN2 Therapeutics, Entero Therapeutics, Precigen, Sumitomo Pharma America, uniQure, Vir Biotechnology, Arbutus Biopharma, HilleVax, and Bayer also announced significant layoffs, reflecting a tough year for the industry.

In 2024, 19 notable drugs were approved in the U.S., including Dupixent for COPD, Cobenfy for schizophrenia, FluMist nasal vaccine, Neffy for allergies, Yorvipath for hypoparathyroidism, Zunveyl for Alzheimer's, Voquezna for GERD, Kisunla for Alzheimer's, Ohtuvayre for COPD, Wakix for pediatric narcolepsy, Capvaxive vaccine, mRESVIA mRNA vaccine, Winrevair for pulmonary hypertension, Nexletol for cholesterol, Tryvio for high blood pressure, Wegovy for cardiovascular risk, Xolair for food allergies, Amtagvi for melanoma, and Dupixent for eosinophilic esophagitis in children.

2024 saw FDA approvals for innovative drugs like Tryvio for high blood pressure, Neffy for severe allergies, and Dupixent for COPD. GoodRx highlighted 19 influential drug and vaccine approvals, emphasizing their potential significant impact on human health.

Bio-Thera Solutions and Tabuk Pharmaceutical collaborate on BAT-2206. Corxel acquires CX-11 globally. Exicure and GPCR Therapeutics sign MOU for GPCR USA acquisition. Neuphoria becomes Bionomics' parent. Rapt and Jemincare agree on HYB-1904 development. Wuxi Apptec sells ATU operations to Altaris.

2024 marked significant advancements in allergy medicine, including FDA approvals for treatments like omalizumab (Xolair) for food allergies, fluticasone propionate nasal spray (XHANCE) for chronic rhinosinusitis, and epinephrine nasal spray (neffy) for anaphylaxis. New data on allergens in infant skincare and guidelines for allergen immunotherapy documentation were also highlighted.

2024's top food allergy stories include FDA's omalizumab approval for IgE-mediated food allergy, Uber Eats' controversial Super Bowl ad, and discussions on food allergy treatment, bullying, and media impact.

The pharmacy prior authorization program ensures safe, cost-effective medication use. Changes effective March and April 2025 include new criteria and programs for various drugs, impacting members with Prime Therapeutics-administered benefits. Decisions remain between patients and providers, with coverage subject to benefit plan terms.

RAPT Therapeutics and Jemincare entered an exclusive license agreement for JYB1904 (RPT904), a half-life extended anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. RAPT gains worldwide rights excluding China, paying Jemincare $35M upfront, up to $672.5M in milestones, and royalties. Jemincare conducts Phase 2 trials in asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria in China, while RAPT plans a Phase 2b trial in food allergy in 2025.

Celltrion received approval for Avtozma, a biosimilar of Actemra, for autoimmune diseases, becoming the first in Korea. Avtozma is approved for the same indications as Actemra, including rheumatoid arthritis. Celltrion also aims for approval in Europe and the U.S., advancing its 11-product portfolio goal by 2025.