EISAI CO

2024 saw highs and lows in neuroscience drug development, including FDA approval of BMS's Cobenfy for schizophrenia and Eli Lilly's donanemab for Alzheimer's, alongside failures like Sage Therapeutics' dalzanemdor in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's. Despite setbacks, progress continues in treating intractable neurological diseases.

Asia Deal Watch: Kaken acquires Aadi subsidiary and cancer drug Fyarro. Other deals include Hangzhou DAC/Aadi, Astellas/Sangamo, Kyorin/Bayer, Eisai/Newron, Lupin/Boehringer Ingelheim, Asahi Kasei/Chiome.

Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance guarantees Alzheimer's drug costs with a 9-month exclusive license, the first in the industry. The special agreement covers innovative treatments like Rechemby, which removes amyloid beta protein, and future drugs with similar effects.

CLEAR biomarker analyses show Lenvatinib + Pembrolizumab (L+P) significantly improved efficacy over Sunitinib in advanced RCC. No associations found between PD-L1 levels, gene-signature scores, or molecular subtypes with PFS for L+P. Sunitinib showed shorter PFS with high proliferation and MYC signature scores, longer with high angiogenesis scores. Six new molecular subtypes defined, with no association to PFS for either treatment.

The global Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapeutics Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% during 2024-2032, driven by advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

Newron and EA Pharma announce a license agreement for Evenamide in Japan and other Asian territories, with Newron receiving up to €117 million. Evenamide, a glutamate modulator, targets treatment-resistant schizophrenia, with a Phase III trial planned for H1 2025.

2024 saw significant progress in digital health, particularly in AI adoption, as healthcare navigated economic shifts and technological advancements. Moving into 2025, AI will continue to accelerate in clinical workflows but face added scrutiny for quality and safety. Misinformation will persist, challenging public trust, while digital health companies can help rebuild it through transparency and education. Healthcare M&A is expected to increase with reduced FTC scrutiny, and pharma pricing and PBMs will remain under pressure. Medicaid will see a partisan split, with red states potentially reducing expansion and blue states increasing coverage. The dementia crisis will be addressed through digital innovations like the GUIDE program, and biopharma will focus more on consumer engagement and retention. Overall, 2025 is poised for continued innovation in digital health despite regulatory uncertainties.

The Oncology Market is critical in global healthcare, driven by cancer prevalence, technological advancements, and strategic collaborations. Key players like Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer AG, and others innovate in diagnostics, treatments, and precision medicine. Market growth is fueled by R&D investments, sustainability focus, and consumer awareness. Challenges include regulatory constraints and talent shortages. Technological integrations like AI and IoT enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

BioArctic has initiated the Phase IIa EXIST trial, dosing the first subject with the monoclonal antibody exidavnemab to treat Parkinson’s disease. The trial, conducted in Europe, aims to assess the antibody's tolerability and safety, with a focus on biomarkers. Exidavnemab is developed to potentially halt or slow Parkinson’s progression by targeting alpha-synuclein. BioArctic, known for neurodegenerative disease treatments, collaborates with AbbVie and Eisai.