Nanoform, the Finland-based medicine performance-enhancing company, has entered into a pre-clinical development agreement with a business unit of Takeda Pharma focused on innovative plasma-derived therapy formulations for the treatment of rare conditions.

Halda Therapeutics has secured $126mn to further develop and advance its innovative therapies targeting solid tumors. The therapies are designed to "hold and kill" tumor cells, whereby a heterobifunctional molecule is designed to target two proteins - a cancer-specific protein and a protein with an essential function - which can kill a cancer cell without damaging non-cancerous tissue.

Shapiro Administration Invests Nearly $3 Million to Bring Adare Pharma Solutions’ Headquarters to Pennsylvania, Creating 115 New, Well-Paying Jobs in Philadelphia. The life sciences company is investing at least $16.8 million to relocate its headquarters to PA from New Jersey and upgrade its two current Philadelphia facilities, building on Pennsylvania’s reputation as a life sciences leader.

Viking Therapeutics is the latest company to demonstrate positive results with its weight loss drugs after announcing its candidate, VK2735, will enter Phase 3 trials following results demonstrating a 15% reduction in body weight following 13 weeks of dosing during its Phase 2 study. Separately, the company is set to advance an oral tablet formulation of VK2735, with initial results demonstrating a mean weight loss of 5.3% following 28 days of dosing.

Roche is fast-tracking the development of its newly acquired obesity treatments from Carmot Therapeutics as it looks for an entry point within the already competitive obesity market. Key assets including CT-388 and CT-996 have both been highlighted as promising candidates with mechanisms targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors, with data already demonstrating significant promise in weight loss results.

Formation Bio has raised $372mn in series-D funding to enhance its drug development pipeline and expand its AI-driven platform, with plans to deploy the new capital to continue acquiring and in-licensing clinical stage assets from biotech and pharma partners.

The latest product for automated lab integration, Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO₂ Incubators feature automated door control for robotic handling and are designed to support optimal cell growth conditions and minimal contamination risk and support large-scale and automated cell therapy production for efficiency and safety.

Tourmaline Bio has dosed the first patient in its Phase 2 TRANQUILITY trial for TOUR006, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody aimed at treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other cardiovascular conditions.

GRI Bio, Inc. has announced positive preclinical data for its lead program, GRI-0621, in treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Novo’s proposed acquisition of Catalent, with the immediate goal of adding capacity for its weight-loss drugs, has rarely been out of the news, whilst a raft of expansions elsewhere has been announced at Thermo Fisher, Alcami, Lonza and Vetter, to list but a few.

Engineers from MIT have developed a novel technique that uses MRI to detect bioluminescence deep in the brain, uncovering blood vessel engineering that dilates in response to light.

Sartorius has partnered with Sanofi to develop an integrated continuous biomanufacturing (ICB) platform to enhance downstream bioprocessing through the combination of Sartorius' engineering expertise with Sanofi's ICB prototypes and patents.

Google DeepMind, in collaboration with Isomorphic Labs, has introduced AlphaFold 3 - the latest iteration of its AI model for biological research and drug discovery.

A study reveals that regular aspirin use may protect against colorectal cancer by boosting the immune system's surveillance of tumor cells. Researchers found that aspirin users had less cancer spread and higher immune cell infiltration in tumors.

Following their existing lab-scale development partnership, global healthcare company Mundipharma and Vectura, the specialist inhalation CDMO, have announced they are to progress development of a more environmentally friendly reformulation of FLUTIFORM (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate) pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI).

The first and only oral CGRP receptor antagonist approved in the U.S. for preventing both episodic and chronic migraines in adults. The Phase 3 study of Qulipta (atogepant) demonstrated significantly reduced monthly migraine days compared to placebo over a 12-week period.

Bloom Biorenewables have recently announced the successful completion of a production campaign in partnership with custom synthesis and contract manufacturer, Valsynthèse. This collaboration has led to significant advancements in scaling up aldehyde-assisted fractionation (AAF) technology to produce uncondensed lignin, a common feedstock used directly in polyurethane materials.

Another positive story for GLP-1 weight loss drugs has been announced, suggesting medications like Wegovy may have potential benefits in treating heart failure among patients with obesity and diabetes. Typically prescribed for weight management in high-risk populations, this positive news is likely to continue the high demand for these drug substances.

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' new drug, Rezdiffra, has recently been approved as the first treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Gastroenterologists, are highly optimistic about its potential in managing patients with moderate to advanced fibrosis and suffering from severe liver conditions such as cirrhosis.

Expanding beyond its COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna reported positive trial results for vaccines against norovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Varicella-Zoster virus, aiming for final-stage studies and marketing a positive move towards diversifying its product.