Sage Therapeutics

Acumen Pharmaceuticals appoints Amy Schacterle, Ph.D., as Chief Regulatory Officer & Head of Quality, as the company advances its Alzheimer's disease treatment, sabirnetug, through clinical trials.

Despite approvals for Leqembi and Kisunla, attrition in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s pipelines persists, with Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Sage Therapeutics, and Otsuka discontinuing programs. Analysts attribute these decisions to clinical trial data and evolving commercial opportunities, noting the Alzheimer’s market is projected to be worth $15.5 billion by 2031, while Parkinson’s drugs are expected to reach $6.63 billion by 2029.

Seltorexant, a potent, selective orexin-2 receptor antagonist, improved symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and insomnia in a phase III trial. The study drug, when combined with current antidepressant treatment, showed a significant reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score compared to placebo. Seltorexant is unique as it targets only OX2 receptors, potentially filling an unmet need for new therapies for MDD and insomnia.

Biogen's Q3 revenue exceeded expectations, with Leqembi sales rising to $67M. The company raised its EPS guidance to $16.10-$16.60. Biogen's MS drug sales declined, but new product launches are expected to offset this. The firm also partnered with Neomorph for molecular glue degrader development and decided not to pursue MDD for Zurzuvae.

Spero Therapeutics halted development of antibiotic SPR720 after it failed to differentiate from placebo in a Phase IIa trial for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). The company plans to lay off 39% of staff and focus on its other antibiotic programs, tebipenem HBr and SPR206. Spero's stock dropped 17% in premarket trading.

Crater launched AI-powered AR/AP solutions for banks, credit unions, and B2B platforms, including white-labeled invoicing, bill payments, and a Universal Payments API for seamless integration with major payment networks.

DelveInsight's 'Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) Pipeline Insight, 2024' report details 22+ pipeline drugs from 22+ companies, segmented by RoA, MoA, and molecule types, with therapies in various clinical stages, including late-stage candidates like Vanda Pharmaceuticals' Iloperidone.