LAUSR

This industry update covers the period from January 1 through January 31, 2022, and is based on information sourced from company press releases, scientific literature, patents and news websites. January 2022 saw Janssen and Midatech expand their collaboration on bioresorbable polymer microsphere technology for drug delivery. Takeda announced its plans to acquire UK-based Adaptate Biotherapeutics and Gandeeva raised further investment funds to support its drug discovery and development platform focused on the evaluation of protein-drug interactions. Biogen announced that it will sell its stake in a biosimilars joint venture and ABL Bio and Sanofi announced a collaboration around a novel treatment for Parkinson's disease. New regulatory announcements this month included US FDA approvals of a new insomnia treatment for Idorsia and a treatment for atopic dermatitis developed by Pfizer. Insulet gained FDA clearance for a closed-loop insulin pump and Ascendis Pharma followed up its United States approval last year for a once-weekly treatment for growth hormone deficiency with European approval. Pfizer and Ionis announced the discontinuation of the clinical development of a novel cardiovascular drug. In terms of collaborations, Novartis and Alnylam announced they will work together to explore targeted therapies to restore liver function; Scorpion Therapeutics partnered with AstraZeneca to develop novel cancer treatments and Nutriband Inc. and Kindeva Drug Delivery will work together to develop a transdermal fentanyl patch. Collaborations were also announced between Century Therapeutics and Bristol Myers Squibb and Lilly and Entos Pharmaceuticals in the areas of stem cell therapies for cancer treatment and neurology, respectively. A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported progress in developing oral mRNA treatments and West Pharmaceutical Services published a blog describing the development of a proof-of-principle system for a closed-loop feedback system targeting opioid overdose. A report on the BBC website highlighted the benefits of more sustainable inhalers.