AstraZeneca

Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) reported a narrower-than-expected Q3 2024 loss of 95 cents per share, with total revenues of $134 million, beating estimates. The company's shares have declined 22.9% YTD. Ionis receives royalties from Biogen for Spinraza and co-markets Qalsody with Biogen. Wainua, co-marketed with AstraZeneca, was approved in the U.S. and the UK, generating $30 million in milestone payments. Commercial revenues were $76 million, missing estimates. Ionis maintained its 2024 financial guidance, expecting total revenues over $575 million and an adjusted operating loss of less than $475 million.

Absci collaborates with Twist Bioscience to accelerate AI-designed antibody therapeutic development using Twist's gene synthesis platform and Absci's Integrated Drug Creation™ platform. The partnership aims to fast-track the design and preclinical development of an antibody therapeutic for an undisclosed set of diseases, potentially within Absci's therapeutic areas of focus: IBD, dermatology, and immuno-oncology.

CALQUENCE, a BTK inhibitor, treats MCL and CLL/SLL; serious infections and hemorrhage risk noted. VOYDEYA, a Factor D inhibitor, treats PNH with infection risks. ULTOMIRIS, a C5 inhibitor, treats PNH, aHUS, gMG, and NMOSD with meningococcal infection risk. SOLIRIS, a C5 inhibitor, treats PNH, aHUS, gMG, and NMOSD with meningococcal infection risk.

In 2024, smaller deals have dominated pharma M&A, with no single deal surpassing $5 billion. Despite this, M&A remains crucial for refilling pipelines and supporting smaller biotechs. Notable deals include Vertex's $4.9 billion acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences, Eli Lilly's $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic, and Gilead's $4.3 billion purchase of CymaBay. Oncology and neuroscience have seen significant activity, with Novartis and AstraZeneca leading in oncology, and Bristol Myers Squibb and Lundbeck in neuroscience.

Biopharma leaders react to a potential second Trump presidency, with mixed optimism and concern over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential influence. AstraZeneca's China executive Leon Wang is detained amid an investigation. Sarepta discontinues next-gen Duchenne drugs due to safety issues. Trump's return could lead to Medicaid spending cuts. AI is increasingly used to streamline clinical trials, though full simulation remains distant.

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are a transformative class in cancer treatment, with 16 approved products and sales exceeding $10B in 2023. The market is expected to surpass $50B by 2030, driven by over 500 ADCs in clinical trials. Key players include Enhertu, Kadcyla, and Padcev, with significant sales in breast and lung cancers. The US and China lead the market, supported by robust R&D and regulatory environments.

AstraZeneca presents 57 abstracts at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting, showcasing 13 approved and potential new medicines in haematology, including data on Calquence in CLL and MCL, AZD0486 in lymphomas, and AZD0120 in MM. Alexion highlights Voydeya's efficacy in PNH, and both companies advance understanding of rare haematologic and cardiovascular conditions.

DelveInsight's 'Severe Asthma Pipeline Insight 2024' highlights 40+ companies developing 50+ therapies, including promising candidates like KN-002, BAT2606, CM326, and others. Key companies include Kinaset Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca. Recent milestones include positive phase III results for GSK's depemokimab and phase IIb data for Sanofi's rilzabrutinib. The report covers global pipeline, therapeutic assessments, and key insights on severe asthma treatment.

Scope of Things episode covers AI drug repurposing, new breast cancer treatment trial, Jill Pellegrino's career shift, publication bias in psychiatric drug studies, and expert insights on AI in clinical trials from SCOPE Europe 2024.