BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB

JAK inhibitors are key drugs for treating inflammatory diseases and cancer, with billions in revenue. They target JAK enzymes, crucial for cytokine signaling, reducing inflammation and symptoms. Approved for atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and alopecia areata, they offer significant benefits. For cancer, they treat myelofibrosis and are being explored in combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Safety concerns led to FDA and EMA restrictions, but market growth is expected due to rising autoimmune disease prevalence.

Allyx Therapeutics awarded $3.3M NIH grant for ALX-001, a synapse-targeted oral therapy for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, to support Phase I drug-drug interaction study.

A compound developed at the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery (MIDD) is set to enter clinical trials at the FDA, aiming to treat depression and Alzheimer's disease. The drug, GL-Damonia, shows promise in restoring brain cell growth in mice, with no toxicity observed. If successful, it could lead to a new treatment option, though the path through FDA trials is challenging and costly.

The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to scientists who used AlphaFold, an AI program, to predict protein folding patterns, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery. Immunai, a biotech company, aims to map the immune system using AI, enhancing drug development. Schrödinger, a physics-based software company, applies mathematical constants to molecular structures for drug discovery, emphasizing the need for both computational and experimental approaches.

The FDA approved Cobenfy, a new antipsychotic with fewer side effects, but trust issues persist due to historical psychiatric abuses and pharmaceutical misconduct. Patients with schizophrenia feel unheard and mistrustful, highlighting the need for their inclusion in drug development and marketing.

FDA approved Bristol Myers Squibb's KarXT (Cobenfy) for schizophrenia, promising fewer side effects. Cobenfy's $22,500 annual price may face political scrutiny, but Medicaid covers 70% with a rebate, making it $17,000. The drug could reduce the $343 billion economic burden of schizophrenia. Drug prices support innovation, crucial for future treatments.

Pfizer, Merck, and Eli Lilly & Co. contribute to one-third of pharma campaign donations. Kamala Harris received $1.12 million in donations, while Trump received $204,748. Both candidates aim to lower prescription drug prices, though the issue was only briefly discussed in a debate. Trump's efforts to lower prices faced industry and legislative resistance, while Harris' administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act, capping drug spending and negotiating lower prices for Medicare recipients. Harris' platform includes expanding drug cost caps to all insured Americans and protecting the Affordable Care Act, contrasting with Trump's opposition to the ACA and his vague healthcare plans. The pharmaceutical industry, aware of the risks, is hedging its bets by donating more to Democrats.

The 'Multiple Sclerosis - Pipeline Insight, 2024' report by ResearchAndMarkets.com covers 80+ companies and 85+ pipeline drugs, including IMU-838 (Immunic), Masitinib (AB Science), Foralumab (Tiziana Life Sciences), IMCY-0141 (ImCyse), and BMS-986353 (Bristol-Myers Squibb). It provides insights into clinical and nonclinical stage products, therapeutics assessment, and pipeline development activities.

BMS's Cell Therapy Organization VP, Daniela van Eickels, discusses the company's development of CAR-T products for autoimmune diseases, including a lead candidate, CD19-XT, targeting severe respiratory lupus, systemic sclerosis, inflammatory idiopathic myositis, and multiple sclerosis. BMS will present preliminary data from a rheumatology program at the 2024 ACR Convergence, emphasizing the importance of a deep immune reset in treating these conditions.

The global peptide therapeutics market is projected to grow from $42.1B in 2023 to $56.2B by 2030, driven by technological advancements, increasing demand for targeted treatments, and the rising incidence of chronic diseases. Peptide therapeutics offer high specificity and low toxicity, making them attractive for treating conditions like cancer and diabetes. Innovations in peptide engineering and delivery systems are enhancing their efficacy and stability, expanding their therapeutic potential across various diseases.