BioCentury This Week

Bills seeking to rein in Chinese CDMOs and genomics companies will deal a massive blow to biotech companies, if passed in their current form, according to results from an industry survey conducted by BioCentury. On The latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s editors discuss results from the survey, including responses that underscore executives’ concerns that the legislation would cause delays in drug development and a majority’s displeasure with BIO’s about-face to support the measures.They also discuss takeaways from Editor in Chief Simone Fishburn’s conversation on The BioCentury Show with Atlas Venture’s Bruce Booth, and lessons from Orchard Therapeutics on what it takes to get FDA’s approval for an ultrarare disease drug.For BioCentury’s complete coverage of the Biosecure Act and similar legislation in Senate, visit the Hot Topics page for the topicReach us by sending a text

Putting patients at center stage is at the core of John Crowley’s vision for BIO as he begins his tenure leading the biotech trade group. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast. Washington Editor Steve Usdin details Crowley’s plans to revitalize BIO at a time when effective representation in Washington is more important than ever.BioCentury’s editors also discuss FDA’s landmark approval of Madrigal's liver disease drug and a decision by FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee to support a pair of BCMA-directed CAR T cell therapies in earlier lines to treat multiple myeloma, and what’s needed to help avoid deaths during the period while patient wait for the CAR T cells to be produced.Reach us by sending a text

A congressional committee meeting last week on biotech and national security provided a glimmer of hope that lawmakers could be persuaded to consider taking steps to bolster the U.S. bioeconomy, BioCentury Washington Editor Steve Usdin explains why the at times cartoonish spectacle of lawmakers pushing anti-China biotech bills highlights the need for scientists and entrepreneurs to build relationships in Washington.Plus: Editor in Chief Simone Fishburn argues that the future of diversity should not be bound up in the fate of DEI. And BioCentury's editors discuss the pivotal trial setback for Amylyx in ALS and what may be on FDA’s agenda as is schedules an advisory meeting for Lilly's Alzheimer's therapy donanemab.Reach us by sending a text

The $3 billion raised by biotechs in a series of follow-ons and PIPEs last week marked another strong showing for a sector seeking to outrun the bear market. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s editors assess the state of fundraising for biotechs and their performance in the after-market. They also preview a forthcoming analysis of preclinical papers published in the Distillery, BioCentury’s coverage of translational science, describe the latest on anti-China bills in Congress and Inflation Reduction Act litigation, and discuss Closed Loop Medicine’s program that seeks to bring precision medicine to obesity.Reach us by sending a text

Asia’s emerging “Arc of Innovation” spans from China, Japan and South Korea through the turf-neutral gateway of Singapore and west to India, with the ecosystems of these countries contributing to the arsenal of therapeutics and diagnostics that benefit patients globally.On a special edition of the BioCentury This Week podcast, Aslan’s Carl Firth, McKinsey’s Franck Le Deu and Wendy Pan of BayHelix and Goodwin join BioCentury on the eve of next week’s BioCentury-BayHelix Biopharma Summit in Singapore to discuss innovation across Asia, rising East-West deal flow and the opportunities and challenges faced by the region’s various biotech ecosystems. They also detail highlights among the speakers, panels and fireside chats of the three-day event.Join BioCentury, BayHelix and McKinsey March 4-6 in Singapore or virtually for the third East-West Biopharma Summit.Reach us by sending a text

 Arch Venture Partners’ Bob Nelsen is excited about AI’s potential in biotech and convinced the U.S. healthcare system could do a far better job delivering on the promise of the biopharma industry’s innovations. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s editors discuss takeaways from Nelsen’s appearance on The BioCentury Show, including how the longtime investor in China’s life sciences sector has adopted a more cautious stance on the country given increasing geopolitical tensions. BioCentury’s editors also discuss whether TL1A inhibitors are poised to bring precision medicine to large inflammatory and autoimmune indications, and why participants in a Feb. 21 Reagan-Udall Foundation workshop hope the meeting could help establish precedents that will revitalize the development of effective treatments for extremely rare diseases. Music for The East-West Biopharma Summit: Singapore teaser:Composed by: Moa MichaeliProduced by: Samuel Aneheim Ulvenäs, Albin Lewin, Epidemic Sound via Getty ImagesReach us by sending a text

Exploring safer CAR Ts with off switches and non-viral delivery. World's first TIL therapy approval by Iovance. Distillery survey highlights and Sarepta's gene therapy advancements.

CEOs of U.S. biotechs fear losing access to Chinese CDMOs. Legislation could impact collaboration with Chinese companies. BIO warns bills would negatively affect U.S. biotech ecosystem. Analysis of implications and concerns surrounding anti-China biotech policy in Washington.

Innate immunity is getting another shot at cancer through antibody-drug conjugates, with immunostimulatory antibody-drug conjugates moving from concept to clinical product. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s editors discuss how the therapies work and what sets them apart from conventional ADCs.The editors also survey the companies developing psychedelic therapies that aim to overcome the difficulties of the business model, and assess Gilead's $4.3 billion takeout of liver disease company CymaBay, and the performance of IPOs by genomic editing tools company Metagenomi and immunology company Kyverna.Music for The East-West Biopharma Summit: Singapore teaser:Composed by: Moa MichaeliProduced by: Samuel Aneheim Ulvenäs, Albin Lewin, Epidemic Sound via Getty ImagesReach us by sending a text

As it approaches a steep patent cliff, Bristol Myers is charting its course to bridge a transition period and return to growth. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s editors assess the pharma’s pipeline and recent M&A, outlining the clinical and commercial successes the company needs to navigate the next few years.The editors also discuss what’s behind bills in Washington that target four Chinese companies identified by Congress as “biotechnology companies of concern," the latest biotech IPOs, and the innovation behind last year’s biotech series A raisers.Music for The East-West Biopharma Summit: Singapore teaser:Composed by: Moa MichaeliProduced by: Samuel Aneheim Ulvenäs, Albin Lewin, Epidemic Sound via Getty ImagesReach us by sending a text