Arbutus Biopharma

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.

Significant advancements in hepatitis B (HBV) treatment include GigaGen's GIGA-2339 Phase 1 trial, TherVacB's clinical trials, and FDA's fast-track for bepirovirsen. WHO aims to eliminate HBV by 2030, highlighting global health disparities. Imdusiran shows promise in achieving functional cure for chronic HBV.

The Chronic Hepatitis B Market Forecast-2034 report provides insights into epidemiology, market trends, and treatment advancements in the 7MM. It highlights the growing market size, emerging therapies, and clinical trials aimed at revolutionizing treatment. Key companies and therapies are identified, with the US leading in market size and prevalence. The report underscores the high global burden of CHB and the potential of innovative treatments to drive market growth.

Hepatitis B, a significant global health challenge, is expected to see market growth due to increasing prevalence and awareness. Key companies like Gilead Sciences and Brii Biosciences are advancing treatments through clinical trials. The market, driven by antiviral medications, anticipates a surge with new pipeline products. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention method.

NanoVation Therapeutics expanded its Board of Directors and secured funding led by Convergent Ventures, following a $600 million partnership with Novo Nordisk. The new Board members, Zachariah Jonasson and David Main, bring expertise in biotechnology and nucleic acid delivery, aiming to advance NanoVation’s LNP technology for RNA delivery outside the liver.

Arbutus Biopharma Corp reported $131M in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, with a cash burn of $63-67M expected for 2024, funding operations into Q4 2026. Phase two trials showed significant surface antigen loss in chronic hepatitis B patients. Litigation with Moderna and Pfizer Biontech over LNP intellectual property is ongoing, with trial dates set for 2025.

Philadelphia-area life sciences industry nears 900 layoffs since 2022 due to reduced investment and focus on late-stage development, with companies like Verrica Pharmaceuticals and Spark Therapeutics cutting jobs.

GSK sues Moderna for patent infringement on mRNA vaccine technology, claiming Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines rely on GSK's foundational patents from a team led by Christian Mandl at Novartis. GSK seeks damages and licensing fees.