The Readout Loud 346: Zealand's obesity strategy and Immunovant's curious development plan
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Mar 20, 2025 Adam Steensberg, CEO of Zealand Pharma, shares insights on his company’s innovative amylin-targeting obesity treatment and its strategic partnership with Roche, valued at $1.65 billion. He challenges industry norms by emphasizing sustainable weight loss over drastic changes. Robert Salcedo, CEO of OceanBio, discusses the unique biotech landscape in Puerto Rico, focusing on advancements in gene therapies and the potential for affordable medicine production. Together, they highlight the shifting priorities in obesity treatment and the resilient future of biotech in Puerto Rico.
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NASH Regulatory Flexibility
- Regulators show more flexibility for moderate NASH patients than severe ones.
- This is counterintuitive, as severe cases usually have more relaxed regulations.
Gene Therapy Market Sentiment
- Gene therapy sentiment has swung too far negatively, creating an irrationally pessimistic market.
- It's currently difficult for gene therapy companies to raise money, even with approved therapies.
Immunovant's Drug Development
- Immunovant's beta-climab succeeded in phase 3 myasthenia gravis trials.
- They won't advance it, instead focusing on a second-generation drug with better safety and convenience.