NOVARTIS

Vera Therapeutics appoints Jason S. Carter as Chief Legal Officer, enhancing team for pivotal ORIGIN 3 trial and planned BLA submission for atacicept in IgAN. Atacicept, targeting B cells to reduce autoantibodies, has shown significant proteinuria reductions and eGFR stabilization in Phase 2b ORIGIN trial, receiving FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for IgAN treatment.

Medicus Pharma Ltd appoints Faisal Mehmud, MD as Chief Medical Officer and promotes Edward Brennan, MD, FACS to Chief Scientific Officer & Head of R&D, focusing on expanding drug development pipeline and commercializing novel non-invasive treatments for basal cell carcinoma.

The Global Cell and Gene Therapy Market is projected to reach USD 78 Billion by 2032, driven by regulatory approvals, technological innovations, and personalized medicine. North America leads with a 49.6% market share. Challenges include high costs and complex manufacturing. Recent developments include Novartis AG's FDA approval for KYMRIAH and Biogen Inc.'s collaboration with Scribe Therapeutics. The market is set for extensive growth, supported by strategic partnerships and ongoing R&D.

Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics market includes symptomatic treatments (cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists) and disease-modifying therapies (anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies). Market growth driven by aging population, diagnostic advancements, and R&D investments. Market expected to grow from USD 5.5 billion in 2023 to USD 30.8 billion by 2033 at 18.8% CAGR. Major companies include Biogen, Merck, GSK, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sanofi, Pfizer, Teva Pharmaceutical, and AbbVie, each with strategic initiatives and collaborations in Alzheimer’s research.

Sarilumab more effective than methotrexate in enabling steroid taper in polymyalgia rheumatica patients, according to ACR Convergence 2024 data.

Inclisiran, a twice-yearly dosed therapy, significantly reduces LDL-C and improves adherence in ASCVD patients, with 84% achieving LDL-C <70 mg/dL in ORION-10 trial. Its unique RNA interference mechanism and long-term efficacy in ORION-8 support its real-world use, showing higher adherence than LCSK9 monoclonal antibodies.

Canadian researchers are part of global efforts to test targeted alpha therapy, a new cancer treatment using radioactive alpha particles to kill cancer cells more effectively and with less damage to healthy tissue. Several therapies are in final stages of testing and could be approved by Health Canada within a few years. Potential applications include pancreatic, prostate, breast, and neuroendocrine cancers. Challenges include production of rare radioactive isotopes and high costs, with treatments expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars per dose.

Roche's Evrysdi leads SMA market with 16,000+ patients; Biogen's Spinraza faces revenue decline but sees growth potential; higher-dose Spinraza shows efficacy; Novartis' Zolgensma grows 3%; Roche explores combo therapy for Evrysdi.

C3G is a rare, progressive kidney disease with limited long-term treatments; Spherix studies reveal nephrologists' interest in new therapies targeting complement system pathways. Novartis' Fabhalta and Apellis' Empaveli show promise in Phase III trials, with significant reductions in proteinuria. Spherix continues to track market developments and patient treatment patterns.