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Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into the dynamic landscape of these industries, exploring significant regulatory shifts, scientific breakthroughs, and strategic corporate maneuvers that are shaping the future of healthcare.The pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are currently navigating a period of profound transition. Recent regulatory developments have captured attention, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn emergency tariffs imposed by the previous administration. This ruling is pivotal as it alleviates financial pressures on the industry, allowing companies to redirect their resources towards innovation and development. It underscores the interconnectedness of global supply chains and highlights the importance of stable regulatory environments for fostering industry growth.In a notable advancement within oncology, AstraZeneca has achieved FDA approval for its combination therapy of Calquence and Venclexta as an all-oral regimen for first-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This approval not only positions AstraZeneca competitively in the BTK inhibitor market but also signifies a shift towards more patient-friendly treatment regimens. By simplifying therapy, this development promises to enhance patient compliance and improve outcomes, challenging existing standards in CLL care.Meanwhile, internal challenges at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have led to a postponement of a critical vaccine advisory panel meeting. This delay occurs amid evolving vaccine policies that have sparked debate within the public health community, potentially impacting immunization strategies and initiatives aimed at bolstering public health.Corporate governance within the industry is also experiencing shifts. Novo Nordisk has nominated two industry veterans to its board as part of an ongoing strategy to align leadership with evolving business objectives. Similarly, Roche is contemplating divesting its once-blockbuster antibiotic Rocephin in response to competitive pressures from generics in Europe. These moves reflect a broader industry trend where companies are re-evaluating their portfolios to better respond to market dynamics and patent expirations.Novartis is making strategic changes as well by selling its stake in Novartis India Limited while maintaining separate commercial and R&D interests in the region. This action highlights a growing trend among pharmaceutical giants towards streamlining operations and focusing on high-growth areas—a strategy aimed at maximizing resource allocation efficiency.Despite narrowly missing a $1 billion revenue target for 2025, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals remains optimistic about the growth prospects of its drug Rezdiifra within the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) market. The company anticipates further expansion driven by unmet medical needs, underscoring the competitive dynamics within this therapeutic area.In personnel movements that could influence strategic directions, Daiichi Sankyo has appointed former Novartis CMO John Tsai as head of its R&D division. His expertise is expected to bolster Daiichi's focus on oncology and other critical therapeutic areas, potentially accelerating innovation within their drug development pipeline.Meanwhile, Manus Bio has secured a $15 million contract with the U.S. government for domestic supply of shikimic acid, an essential component for producing Tamiflu. This contract highlights efforts to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical supply chains amid global uncertainties—a crucial consideration for ensuring medication availability during crises.In clinical research, a setback was observed with Grail's Galleri cancer blood test trial failing to meet its primary endpoint in collaboration with the NHS. The resulting decline in GrailSupport the show
This episode covers: Cardiology This Week: A concise summary of recent studies Atrial septal defects in adults Conservative and invasive management of chronic coronary syndromes Milestones: 4S trial Host: Rick Grobbee Guests: JP Carpenter, Annemien van den Bosch, Rasha Al-Lamee, Roxana Mehran Want to watch the episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2552 Want to watch the extended interview on Atrial septal defects in adults, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2552?resource=interview Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina, Rick Grobbee, Nicolle Kraenkel and Annemien van den Bosch have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. Rasha Al-Lamee has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report:speaker's fees for Menarini pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Philips, Medtronic, Servier, Shockwave, Elixir. Advisory board: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Philips, Shockwave, CathWorks, Elixir, Astrazeneca. Consulting Fees: Menarini pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Philips, Shockwave, Elixir, IsomAB, VahatiCor, SpectraWave, AstraZeneca, Cathworks, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Felix Mahfoud has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: research grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK), Deutsche Herzstiftung, Ablative Solutions, ReCor Medical. Consulting fees, payment honoraria lectures, presentations, speaker, support travel costs: Ablative Solutions, Astra-Zeneca, Novartis, Inari, Recor Medical, Medtronic, Philips, Merck. Roxana Mehran has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: institutional research payments from Abbott, Alleviant Medical, Chiesi, Concept Medical, Cordis, CPC Clinical Research, Daiichi Sankyo, Duke, Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, MedAlliance, Medtronic, NewAmsterdam Pharma, Novartis, Novo Nordisk Inc., Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), Protembis GmbH, Radcliffe, RM Global Bioaccess Fund Management, Sanofi US Services, Inc. ; personal fees from: None ; Equity
Host: Rick Grobbee Guest: Annemien van den Bosch Want to watch that extended interview on Atrial septal defects in adults, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2552?resource=interview Want to watch the full episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2552 Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina, Rick Grobbee, Nicolle Kraenkel and Annemien van den Bosch have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Felix Mahfoud has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: research grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK), Deutsche Herzstiftung, Ablative Solutions, ReCor Medical. Consulting fees, payment honoraria lectures, presentations, speaker, support travel costs: Ablative Solutions, Astra-Zeneca, Novartis, Inari, Recor Medical, Medtronic, Philips, Merck. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/XYC865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until January 29, 2027.The ADC Wave in SCLC: Emerging Evidence and Practical Considerations for New Options on the Horizon In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported through independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This episode covers: Cardiology This Week: A concise summary of recent studies Lp(a) and aortic valve stenosis The truth about climate change and heart disease Snapshots Host: Emer Joyce Guests: JP Carpenter, Borge Nordestgaard, Hugh Montgomery, Stephan Achenbach Want to watch that episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2548 Want to watch that extended interview on Lp(a) and aortic valve stenosis, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2548?resource=interview Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina and Nicolle Kraenkel have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Emer Joyce has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Alnylam, Bayer, Pfizer, Fire-1. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Felix Mahfoud has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: research grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK), Deutsche Herzstiftung, Ablative Solutions, ReCor Medical. Consulting fees, payment honoraria lectures, presentations, speaker, support travel costs: Ablative Solutions, Astra-Zeneca, Novartis, Inari, Recor Medical, Medtronic, Philips, Merck. Hugh Montgomery has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: funded and runs the charity-funded non-profit 'Real Zero'. Unpaid co-chair of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. Borge Nordestgaard has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancies/talks for AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Ionis, Amgen, Amarin, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Esperion, Lilly, Arrowhead, Marea, Merck, Torrent, USV – honoraria used for research. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson.
Host: Emer Joyce Guest: Borge Nordestgaard Want to watch that extended interview on Lp(a) and aortic valve stenosis, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2548?resource=interview Want to watch the full episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2548 Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina and Nicolle Kraenkel have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Emer Joyce has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Alnylam, Bayer, Pfizer, Fire-1. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Felix Mahfoud has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: research grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK), Deutsche Herzstiftung, Ablative Solutions, ReCor Medical. Consulting fees, payment honoraria lectures, presentations, speaker, support travel costs: Ablative Solutions, Astra-Zeneca, Novartis, Inari, Recor Medical, Medtronic, Philips, Merck. Borge Nordestgaard has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancies/talks for AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Ionis, Amgen, Amarin, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Esperion, Lilly, Arrowhead, Marea, Merck, Torrent, USV – honoraria used for research. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Let's dive into the latest happenings in this dynamic industry.Starting with a look at the projected launch of top drugs anticipated in 2026, it's fascinating to see how these developments are poised to influence the market. These drugs could collectively generate a substantial $45.9 billion in annual sales by 2032, underscoring their economic impact and potential to address unmet medical needs. This reflects a robust pipeline of innovative treatments, marking significant therapeutic advancements on the horizon.Regulatory actions continue to be a pivotal force in shaping market dynamics. The FDA's recent issuance of complete response letters to Aquestive Therapeutics and Pharming resulted in contrasting market reactions, with Aquestive's shares rising while Pharming's declined. This scenario highlights the critical role of regulatory decisions in shaping company fortunes and investor confidence. Additionally, the FDA has introduced a precheck manufacturing program aimed at streamlining domestic drug production processes. This initiative is part of a broader trend to bolster U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities amid global supply chain concerns, reflecting an effort to reduce complexities associated with setting up manufacturing plants domestically.In the realm of policy debates, there's notable discord among Trump administration officials over the future of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. market. This internal division could have far-reaching implications for public health strategies and vaccine accessibility, emphasizing ongoing challenges in pandemic management and policy alignment.Turning to scientific innovation, Daiichi Sankyo's development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has faced some setbacks. The company has discontinued an internal next-wave candidate and is experiencing delays in pivotal phase 3 trial readouts for its AstraZeneca-partnered candidate, Datroway. Despite these challenges, ADCs remain a promising area of oncology research due to their targeted therapeutic potential.Positive regulatory feedback from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has provided a boost for companies like Novo Nordisk and Amgen. Novo Nordisk received approval for semaglutide for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), highlighting its potential to address this liver disease with limited treatment options. Conversely, Amgen's Tavneos faces a re-review due to data integrity concerns, illustrating the rigorous scrutiny that accompanies pharmaceutical approvals and the importance of maintaining data integrity throughout development.Sanofi's pipeline reflects mixed outcomes as its GCS inhibitor failed a phase 3 trial for Fabry disease but showed promise in Gaucher disease. This underscores the inherent uncertainties and challenges faced in drug development, where promising candidates may not always meet clinical expectations.In broader scientific research, AstraZeneca identified 22 genes potentially linked to chronic diseases following Epstein-Barr virus infection. This finding advances our understanding of viral pathogenesis and its long-term health impacts, potentially guiding future therapeutic interventions.These developments illustrate a dynamic landscape where scientific innovation, regulatory oversight, and market forces converge to shape the future of healthcare. Breakthrough technologies and new therapeutic approaches hold promise for improving patient care and advancing drug development. However, navigating complex regulatory environments and addressing data integrity concerns remain critical challenges that companies must overcome to bring these innovations to market successfully.On another front, Roche's substantial $1.7 billion deal with Sanegene marks its re-engageSupport the show
Today, my guest is Dr. Clare Wareing, Founder and CEO of Cumulus Oncology, who joins us from Edinburgh. With over 25 years of expertise in oncology drug development, Clare has built a remarkable career translating scientific breakthroughs into life-changing therapies. Cumulus Oncology is curating a risk-adjusted portfolio of preclinical assets focused on high unmet needs in oncology. Their platform-agnostic, approach prioritizes patient subgroups and precision medicine to boost success rates and drive value creation.In this conversation, we explore Clare's journey to and through biotech, Cumulus and the current state of oncology in biotech, the vibrant Scottish biotech ecosystem, and her vision for the future for 2026 and beyond.01:17: Meet Clare Wareing03:57: Inspiration for founding Cumulus Oncology.05:38: Cumulus's unique drug development model.09:53: Overview of Cumulus's asset portfolio.13:05: Importance of the patient subgroup strategy.17:41: Trends in oncology drug discovery.21:09: Drivers of oncology deal-making activity.24:22: Challenges in accessing venture capital.30:06: Future milestones for Cumulus Oncology.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Curing cancer: Daiichi Sankyo's ambitious ADC approachCracking Cancer's Code: Transforming Research with Novel Cancer ModelsNew cancer cell discovery sheds light on childhood blood cancer
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we'll delve into the multitude of changes and advancements sweeping across the industry, each with profound implications for drug development, patient care, and market dynamics.The pharmaceutical landscape continues to transform as companies like Daiichi Sankyo make significant progress with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Their collaboration with AstraZeneca on products like Enhertu and Datroway represents a robust push into earlier lines of therapy. This strategic move aligns with a broader industry trend where ADCs are being positioned as front-line oncology treatments. These therapies are lauded for their targeted delivery mechanisms that maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. However, the competitive landscape is becoming increasingly fierce, necessitating robust clinical data to stand out in this rapidly evolving market segment.Elsewhere, Moderna's recent decision to pause new late-stage trials for infectious disease vaccines highlights the intricate interplay between public sentiment and corporate strategy. The rising anti-vaccine sentiment in the U.S., compounded by diminishing support infrastructure from previous administrations, has significantly influenced Moderna's strategic recalibration. This situation underscores a critical challenge for developers of mRNA platforms: how to navigate complex public perceptions and policy landscapes while pushing forward with vaccine innovations.From a regulatory perspective, Recipharm's commissioning of a new facility in Bengaluru, India for non-bacterial beta-lactam drugs aligns with evolving FDA standards. This investment is not just about compliance; it's a proactive adaptation to meet rising customer demand and represents a strategic partnership with a major biopharmaceutical player. Such collaborations are crucial as they help scale drug production capabilities effectively.The dissolution of the marketing partnership between Arcutis and Kowa over Zoryve reflects the ever-dynamic nature of commercial collaborations within the industry. Originally intended to broaden Zoryve's market beyond dermatologists to include primary care physicians, this shift may indicate strategic realignments or divergent priorities between partners. Such changes can significantly impact market penetration strategies and highlight the importance of aligned goals within partnerships.In Europe, regulatory expansion by GSK of its Arexvy vaccine for all adults marks a pivotal milestone in widening access to crucial vaccines. This development not only enhances GSK's market presence but also underscores the agility required in regulatory responses to public health needs.On the financial front, settlements under the False Claims Act reaching $6.8 billion in FY2025 demonstrate heightened scrutiny on compliance practices within the industry. This serves as a stark reminder of both financial and reputational risks tied to non-compliance and underscores an ongoing need for stringent oversight mechanisms.Amidst economic uncertainties, AstraZeneca's decision to pause its UK research site investment reflects broader industry challenges related to strategic reallocations of resources. Companies are increasingly re-evaluating their geographic footprints and investment priorities in response to evolving market conditions.In precision oncology, Guardant Health's FDA approval for its Guardant360 CDx test in conjunction with Pfizer's Braftovi highlights how companion diagnostics are becoming integral in enhancing therapeutic outcomes through tailoring treatments based on specific genetic profiles. These developments illustrate a multifaceted landscape where scientific innovation, regulatory changes, strategic partnerships, and compliance considerations converge.The recent landscapSupport the show
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Kormal Jhaveri, MD, FACP Guest: Vanessa Soto-Romano, RN There's been recent progress with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for HER2-negative breast cancers,1-3 and most recently, patients with metastatic HR+ HER2- breast cancer. The phase III TROPION-Breast01 study examined the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan-dInk (Dato-DXd) compared to investigator's choice single-agent chemotherapy, resulting in the approval of this agent in January 2025. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss Dato-DXd for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, data from the TROPION-Breast01 trial, and strategies for managing select adverse reactions with this therapy are Dr. Komal Jhaveri and Nurse Vanessa Soto-Romano. Dr. Jhaveri is a breast medical oncologist and early drug development specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and Nurse Soto-Romano is a Clinical Trials Nurse, also at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Komal JhaveriConsultant/advisory board role: Novartis, Pfizer, Genentech, Eisai, AstraZeneca, Blueprint Medicines, Daiichi Sankyo, Menarini/Stemline, Gilead, Scorpion Therapeutics, Bicycle Therapeutics, Olema Pharmaceuticals, Lilly/Loxo Oncology, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Zymeworks, Halda Therapeutics, Arivinas and RayzebioResearch Funding support to the Institution: Novartis, Genentech, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Lilly/Loxo Oncology, Zymeworks, Gilead, PUMA Biotechnology, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Scorpion Therapeutics, Rayzebio, Eisai, Bicycle Therapeutics, Bridge Bio Oncology Therapeutics, and Blueprint Medicines. Nurse Soto-RomanoConsultant/advisory board role: AstraZeneca …
This episode covers: Cardiology This Week: A concise summary of recent studies What´s new in TAVI? Digital solutions in arrhythmias Mythbusters - Gratitude is heart healthy Host: Emer Joyce Guests: JP Carpenter, Davide Capodanno, Fleur Tjong Want to watch that episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2528 Want to watch that extended interview on Digital solutions in arrhythmias, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2528?resource=interview Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina and Nicolle Kraenkel have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Emer Joyce has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Alnylam, Bayer, Pfizer, Fire-1. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson. Fleur Tjong has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Amsterdam UMC Innovation grant, Heath Holland TKI, Abbott, Dutch Research Council, Boston Scientific.
Host: Emer Joyce Guest: Fleur Tjong Want to watch that extended interview on https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2528?resource=interview Go to: Want to watch that episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2528 Disclaimer: ESC TV Today is supported by Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partner. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. All declarations of interest are listed at the end of the episode. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests: Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina and Nicolle Kraenkel have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott Vascular, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Terumo. Emer Joyce has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Alnylam, Bayer, Pfizer, Fire-1. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson. Fleur Tjong has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Amsterdam UMC Innovation grant, Heath Holland TKI, Abbott, Dutch Research Council, Boston Scientific.
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, and her guests Helmut Pürerfellner, MD, FHRS, and Jonathan M. Kalman, MBBS, PhD, FHRS for this week's Lead episode. This episode was recorded LIVE at APHRS 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. The OCEAN randomized trial found that in patients who remained free of atrial arrhythmia at least one year after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, continuing anticoagulation with rivaroxaban did not significantly reduce the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, or covert cerebral infarcts compared with low-dose aspirin, with both groups experiencing very low event rates. Additionally, rivaroxaban was associated with a higher incidence of bleeding, suggesting that long-term anticoagulation may not be necessary for many post-ablation patients with low to moderate stroke risk. Learning Objectives Evaluate the evidence regarding the risks and benefits of continuing oral anticoagulation after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Interpret the clinical implications of low thromboembolic event rates and increased bleeding risk when comparing anticoagulation with antiplatelet therapy in post-ablation patients. Apply study findings to clinical decision-making by identifying which patient populations may safely discontinue long-term anticoagulation after atrial fibrillation ablation. Article Authors Atul Verma, M.D., David H. Birnie, M.D., Chenyang Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., Hein Heidbüchel, M.D., Gerhard Hindricks, M.D., Paulus Kirchhof, M.D., D.Sc., Jeff S. Healey, M.D. , Yunhe Wang, M.D., Nikolaos Dagres, M.D., Marc W. Deyell, M.D., Prashanthan Sanders, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Rajeev K. Pathak, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Pieter Koopman, M.D., Dieter Nuyens, M.D., Paul Novak, M.D., Guy Amit, M.D., Charles Dussault, M.D., Bhavanesh Makanjee, M.D., F. Russell Quinn, M.D., Umjeet Jolly, M.D., Leon Iden, M.D., Malte Kuniss, M.D., Mukul Sharma, M.D., Andrew Ha, M.D., Vidal Essebag, M.D., Ph.D., Jean Champagne, M.D., Michael D. Hill, M.D., Eric E. Smith, M.D., M.P.H., and George A. Wells, Ph.D., for the OCEAN Investigators Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):H. Purerfellner •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Medtronic, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Boston Scientific J.M. Kalman •Research: Zoll Medical Corporation, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific •Fellowship Support: Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic M. Middeldorp •Nothing to disclose. Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Join podcast host Takanori Yamaguchi, MD, PhD, and his guests Masato Fukunaga, MD, PhD and Masateru Takigawa, MD, PhD, for this week's Lead episode. This episode was recorded LIVE at APHRS 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. This episode was recorded entirely in Japanese. The OCEAN randomized trial found that in patients who remained free of atrial arrhythmia at least one year after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, continuing anticoagulation with rivaroxaban did not significantly reduce the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, or covert cerebral infarcts compared with low-dose aspirin, with both groups experiencing very low event rates. Additionally, rivaroxaban was associated with a higher incidence of bleeding, suggesting that long-term anticoagulation may not be necessary for many post-ablation patients with low to moderate stroke risk. Learning Objectives Evaluate the evidence regarding the risks and benefits of continuing oral anticoagulation after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Interpret the clinical implications of low thromboembolic event rates and increased bleeding risk when comparing anticoagulation with antiplatelet therapy in post-ablation patients. Apply study findings to clinical decision-making by identifying which patient populations may safely discontinue long-term anticoagulation after atrial fibrillation ablation. Article Authors Atul Verma, M.D., David H. Birnie, M.D., Chenyang Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., Hein Heidbüchel, M.D., Gerhard Hindricks, M.D., Paulus Kirchhof, M.D., D.Sc., Jeff S. Healey, M.D. , Yunhe Wang, M.D., Nikolaos Dagres, M.D., Marc W. Deyell, M.D., Prashanthan Sanders, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Rajeev K. Pathak, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., Pieter Koopman, M.D., Dieter Nuyens, M.D., Paul Novak, M.D., Guy Amit, M.D., Charles Dussault, M.D., Bhavanesh Makanjee, M.D., F. Russell Quinn, M.D., Umjeet Jolly, M.D., Leon Iden, M.D., Malte Kuniss, M.D., Mukul Sharma, M.D., Andrew Ha, M.D., Vidal Essebag, M.D., Ph.D., Jean Champagne, M.D., Michael D. Hill, M.D., Eric E. Smith, M.D., M.P.H., and George A. Wells, Ph.D., for the OCEAN Investigators Host and Contributor Disclosure(s): T. Yamaguchi •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Abbott Japan, Japan Medtronic, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceutical, Japan, Nihon Kohden, Japan Lifeline, Novartis M. Takigawa •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic Japan, Abbott Japan •Research: Abbott, Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic, Inc. M. Fukunaga •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Boston Scientific Japan, Abbott Medical Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PTK865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until January 16, 2027.Forging New Paths With Earlier Use of ADCs in Breast Cancer: From Clinical Breakthroughs to Improved Outcomes In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and GRASP. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PTK865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until January 16, 2027.Forging New Paths With Earlier Use of ADCs in Breast Cancer: From Clinical Breakthroughs to Improved Outcomes In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and GRASP. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PTK865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until January 16, 2027.Forging New Paths With Earlier Use of ADCs in Breast Cancer: From Clinical Breakthroughs to Improved Outcomes In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and GRASP. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PTK865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until January 16, 2027.Forging New Paths With Earlier Use of ADCs in Breast Cancer: From Clinical Breakthroughs to Improved Outcomes In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and GRASP. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. On this week's episode of the Business of Biotech, we're speaking with Kenneth Galbraith, CEO and Board Chair at Zymeworks, a biotech developing multispecific therapies internally and through partnerships with companies including Jazz Pharmaceuticals and BeOne Medicines (formerly BeiGene), J&J, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, and GSK. Ken talks about Zymeworks' shift to a royalty model for development funding and value creation, lessons learned from platform deals and cross-border R&D, the benefits of strong royalty agreements and backloaded milestone payments over headline upfronts, and industry dynamics for the coming year. Ken also shares insights from his deep experiences as a biotech investor and corporate director, and explains why scientific primacy should always drive biotech business decisions. Access this and hundreds of episodes of the Business of Biotech videocast under the Business of Biotech tab at lifescienceleader.com. Subscribe to our monthly Business of Biotech newsletter. Get in touch with guest and topic suggestions: ben.comer@lifescienceleader.comFind Ben Comer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencomer/
Dr. Hope Rugo and Dr. Vivek Subbiah discuss innovative trial designs to enable robust studies for smaller patient populations, as well as the promise of precision medicine, novel therapeutic approaches, and global partnerships to advance rare cancer research and improve patient outcomes. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Hope Rugo: Hello and welcome to By the Book, a podcast series from ASCO that features engaging conversations between editors and authors of the ASCO Educational Book. I am your host, Dr. Hope Rugo. I am the director of the Women's Cancers Program and division chief of breast medical oncology at the City of Hope Cancer Center [in Los Angeles]. The field of rare cancer research is rapidly transforming thanks to progress in clinical trials and treatment strategies, as well as improvements in precision medicine and next-generation sequencing that enable biomarker identification. According to the National Cancer Institute, rare cancers occur in fewer than 150 cases per million each year, but collectively, they represent a significant portion of all cancer diagnoses. And we struggle with the appropriate treatment for these rare cancers in clinical practice. Today, I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Vivek Subbiah, a medical oncologist and the chief of early-phase drug development at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Subbiah is the lead author of a paper in the ASCO Educational Book titled "Designing Clinical Trials for Patients with Rare Cancers: Connecting the Zebras," a great title for this topic. He will be telling us about innovative trial designs to enable robust studies for small patient populations, the promise of precision medicine, and novel therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes, and how we can leverage AI now to enroll more patients with rare cancers in clinical trials. Our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode. Dr. Subbiah, it is great to have you on the podcast today. Thanks so much for being here. Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Thank you so much, Dr. Rugo, and it is an honor and pleasure being here. And thank you for doing this podcast for rare cancers. Dr. Hope Rugo: Absolutely. We are excited to talk to you. And congratulations on this fantastic paper. It is such a great resource for our community to better understand what is new in the field of rare cancer research. Of course, rare cancers are complex and multifaceted diseases. And this is a huge challenge for clinical oncologists. You know, our clinics, of course, cannot be designed as we are being very uni-cancer focused to just be for one cancer that is very rare. So, oncologists have to be a jack of all trades in this area. Your paper notes that there are approximately 200 distinct types of rare and ultra-rare cancers. And, by definition, all pediatric cancers are rare cancers. Of course, clinical trials are essential for developing new treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes, and in your paper, you highlight some unique challenges in conducting trials in this rare cancer space. Can you tell us about the challenges and how really innovative trial designs, I think a key issue, are being tailored to the specific needs of patients with rare cancer and, importantly, for these trials? Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Rare cancers present a perfect storm of challenges. First, the patient populations are very small, which makes it really hard to recruit enough participants for traditional type trials. Second, these patients are often geographically dispersed across multiple cities, across multiple states, across multiple countries, across multiple zip codes. So, logistics become complicated. Third, there is often limited awareness among clinicians, which delays referrals and diagnosis. Add to that regulatory hurdles, funding constraints, and you can see why rare cancer trials are so tough to execute. To overcome these barriers, we are seeing some really creative novel trial designs. And there are four different types of trial designs that are helping with enrolling patients with rare cancers. The first one is the basket trial. So let us talk about what basket studies are. Basket studies group patients based on shared genetic biomarkers or shared genetic mutations rather than tumor type. So instead of running separate 20 to 30 to 40 trials, you can study one therapy across multiple cancers. The second type of trial is the umbrella trial. The umbrella trials flip that concept of basket studies. They focus on one cancer type but test multiple targeted therapies within it. The third category of innovative trials are the platform studies. Platform trials are another exciting innovation. They allow new treatment arms to be added or removed as the data matures and as the data evolves, making trials more adaptive and efficient. The final category are decentralized tools in traditional trials, which are helping patients participate closer to where they are so that they can sleep in their own bed, which is, I think, a game changer for accessibility. These designs maximize efficiency and feasibility for rare cancer research and rare cancer clinical trials. Dr. Hope Rugo: I love the idea of the platform trials that are decentralized. And I know that there is a trial being worked on with ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health) funding in triple-negative breast cancer as well as in lung cancer, I think, and others with this idea of a platform trial. But it is challenged, I think, by precision medicine and next-generation sequencing where some patients do not have targetable markers, or there isn't a drug to target the marker. I think those are almost the same thing. We have really seen that these precision medicine ideas and NGS have moved the needle in helping to identify genetic alterations. This helps us to be more personalized. It actually helps with platform studies to customize trial enrollment. And we hope that this will result in better outcomes. It also allows us, I think, to study drugs even in the early stage setting more effectively. How can these advances be best applied to the future of rare cancers, as well as the challenges of not finding a marker or not having a drug? Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Thank you so much for that question. I think precision medicine and next-gen sequencing, or NGS, are truly the backbone of modern precision oncology. They have transformed how we think about cancer treatment. Instead of treating based on where the tumor originated or where the tumor started, we now look at the genetic blueprint of cancer. The NGS or next-gen sequencing allows us to sequence millions of DNA fragments quickly. Twenty, 30 years ago, they said we cannot sequence a human genome. Then it took almost a decade to sequence the first human genome. Right now, we have academic centers and commercial sequencing companies that are really democratizing NGS across all sites, not just in academic centers, across all the community sites, so that NGS is now accessible. This means that we can identify these actionable alterations like picking needles in haystacks, like NTRK fusions, RET fusions, or BRAF V600E alterations, high tumor mutational burden. This might occur across not one tumor type, across several different tumor types. So for rare cancers, this is critical because some of these mutations often define the best treatment option. Here is why this matters. Personalized therapy, right? Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we can tailor treatment to the patient's unique molecular profile. For trial enrollment, this can definitely help because patients can join biomarker-driven trials even if their cancer type is rare or ultra-rare. NGS technology has also helped us in designing rational studies. Many times monotherapy does not work in these cancers. So we are thinking about rational combination strategies. So NGS technology is helping us. Looking ahead, I see NGS becoming routine in clinical practice, not just at major niche academic centers, but everywhere. We will see more tumor-agnostic approvals, more molecular tumor boards guiding treatment decisions in real time. And I think we are seeing an expanded biomarker setup. Previously, we used to have only a few drugs and a handful of mutations. Now with homologous recombination defects, BRCA1/2 mutation, and expanding the HRD and also immunohistochemistry, we are expanding the biomarker portfolio. So again, I personally believe that the future is precision. What I mean by precision is delivering the right drug to the right patient at the right time. And for rare cancers, this isn't just progress. It is survival. And it is maybe the only way that they can have access to these cutting-edge precision medicines. Dr. Hope Rugo: That is so important. You mentioned an important area we will get to in a moment, the tumor-agnostic therapies. But as part of talking about that, do you think that the trials should also include just standard therapies? You know, who do you give an ADC to and when with these rare cancers? Because some of them do not have biomarkers to target and it is so disappointing for patients and providers where you are trying to screen a patient for a trial or a platform trial where you have one arm with this mutation, one arm with that, and they do not qualify because they only have a p53 loss, you know? They just do not have the marker that helps them. But we see this in breast cancer all the time. And it is tough because we don't have good information on the sequencing. So I wonder, you know, just because for some of these rare cancers it is not even clear what to use when with standard treatments. And then that kind of gets into this idea of the tumor-agnostic therapies that you mentioned. There are a lot of new treatments that are being evaluated. We have seen approval of some treatments in the last few years that are tumor-agnostic and based on a biomarker. Is that the best approach as we go forward for rare cancers? And what new treatment options are most exciting to you right now? Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Tumor-agnostic therapies, really close to my heart, are real breakthrough therapies and represent a major paradigm shift in oncology. Traditionally, for the broad listeners here, we are used to thinking about designing clinical trials and therapy like where the cancer originated, breast cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer. A tumor-agnostic therapy flips that model. Instead of focusing on the organ, they target the specific genetic alteration or biomarker that drives cancer growth regardless of where the tumor started, regardless of the location of the tumor, regardless of the zip code of the tumor. So why is this so important for rare cancers? Because many rare cancers share molecular features with more common cancers. For instance, NTRK fusion might occur in pediatric sarcoma, a salivary gland tumor, or a thyroid cancer. Historically, each of these would require separate trials, which is nearly impossible, unfeasible to conduct in these ultra-rare cancers like salivary gland cancer or pediatric sarcomas. Tumor-agnostic therapies allow us to treat all those cancers with the same targeted drug if they share that biomarker. Again, we are in 2025. The first tissue-agnostic approval, the historic precedent, was in fact an immunotherapy. Pembrolizumab was approved in 2017, May 2017, as the first immunotherapy to be approved in a tumor-agnostic way for a genomic biomarker, for MSI-High and dMMR cancers. Then came the NTRK inhibitors. So today we have not one, not two, but three different NTRK inhibitors: larotrectinib, entrectinib, and repotrectinib, which show response rates of nearly more than 60 to 75% across a handful of dozens and dozens of cancer types. Then, of course, we have RET inhibitors like selpercatinib, which is approved tissue-agnostic, and pralsetinib, which also shows tissue-agnostic activity across multiple cancers. And more recently, combination therapy with a BRAF and MEK combination, dabrafenib and trametinib, received tumor-agnostic approval for all BRAF V600E tumors with the exception of colorectal cancer. And even recently, you mentioned about antibody drug conjugates. Again, I think we live in an era of antibody drug conjugates. And Enhertu, trastuzumab deruxtecan, which was used first in breast cancer, now it is approved in a histology-agnostic manner for all HER2-positive tumors defined by immunohistochemistry 3+. So again, beyond NGS, now immunohistochemistry for HER2 is also becoming a biomarker. So again, for the broad listeners here, in addition to comprehensive NGS that may allow patients to find treatment options for these rare cancers for NTRK, RET, and BRAF, immunohistochemistry for HER2 positivity is also emerging as a biomarker given that we have a new FDA approval for this. So I would say personally that these therapies are game changers because they open doors for patients who previously had no options. Instead of waiting for years for a trial in their specific cancer type, they can access a treatment based on their molecular profile. I think it is precision medicine at its finest and best. Looking ahead, the third question you asked me is what is exciting going on? I think we will see more of these approvals. My hope is that today, I think we have nine to ten approvals. My hope is that within the next 25 to 50 years, we will have at least 50 to 100 drugs approved in this space based on a biomarker, not based on a location of the tumor type. Drug targeting rare alterations like FGFR2 fusions, FGFR amplifications, ALK fusions, and even complex signatures like high tumor mutational burden. I think we will be seeing hopefully more and more drugs approved. And as sequencing becomes routine, we will identify more patients for these therapies. I think for rare cancers, this is not just innovative approach. This is essential for them to access these novel precision medicines. Dr. Hope Rugo: Yeah, that is such a good point. I do think it is critical. Interestingly in breast cancer, it hasn't been, you know, there is always like two patients in these tumor-agnostic trials, or if that. You know, I think I have seen one NTRK fusion ever. I think that highlights the importance for rare cancers. And you know, I am hoping that that will translate into some new directions for some of our rarer and impossible-to-treat subtypes of breast cancer. It is this kind of research that is really going to make a difference. But what about those people who do not have biomarkers? What if you do not fit into that? Do you think there is a possibility of trying to do treatments for rare cancers in some prospective way that would help with that? You know, it is really a huge challenge. Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Absolutely. I think, you know, you're right, usually many of these rare cancers are driven by specific biomarkers. And again, some of the pediatric salivary gland tumors or pediatric sarcomas like fibrosarcomas, they are pathognomonic with NTRK fusions. And again, given that we have a tumor-agnostic approval, now these patients have access to these therapies. And I do not think that we would have had a trial just for pediatric fibrosarcomas with NTRK fusions. So that is one way. Another way is SWOG, right? The SWOG DART [1609] had this combination dual checkpoint, it was called the DART study dual combination chemotherapy with ipi/nivo. Now here the rare cancer subtype itself becomes a biomarker and they showed activity across multiple rare cancer subtypes. They didn't require a biomarker. As long as it was a rare or ultra-rare cancer, these patients were enrolled into the SWOG DART trial and multiple arms have read out. Angiosarcoma, Kaposi sarcoma, even gestational trophoblastic disease. Again, they have shown responses in these ultra-rare, rare cancers. Sometimes they might be seeing one or two cases a whole year. And I think this SWOG effort, this cooperative group effort, really highlighted the need for such studies without biomarkers as well. Dr. Hope Rugo: That is such a fantastic example of how to try and treat patients in a collaborative way. And in the paper, you also emphasize the need for collaborative research efforts, you know, uniting resource expertise across different ways of doing research. So cooperative groups, advocacy organizations that can really help advance rare cancer research, improve access to new therapies, and I think importantly influence policy changes. I think this already happened with the agnostic approvals. Could you tell us more about that? How can we move forward with this most effectively? Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Personally, I believe that collaboration is absolutely critical and essential for rare cancer research. No single institution, no single individual, or no single state or entity can tackle these challenges alone. The patient populations are small and dispersed. So pooling resources is the only way to run these meaningful trials. Again, it is not like singing, it is like putting a huge, huge, I would say, an opera piece together. It is not a solo, vocal therapy, but rather putting a huge opera piece like Turandot. You know, you mentioned cooperative groups. Cooperative groups, as I mentioned earlier, the SWOG DART program, the ASCO [TAPUR study]. ASCO is doing a phenomenal work of the TAPUR study. Again, this ASCO TAPUR program has enrolled so many patients with rare cancers who otherwise would not have treatment options. NCI-MATCH, the global effort, right? NCI-MATCH and the ComboMATCH are great examples. They bring together hundreds of sites, thousands of clinicians to run large-scale trials that would be impossible for any individual center or institution. These trials have already changed practice. For instance, the DART demonstrated the power of immunotherapy in rare cancers and influenced NCCN guidelines. One of the arms of the NCI-MATCH study from the BRAF V600E arm contributed towards the BRAF V600E tissue-agnostic approval. So, the BRAF V600E tissue-agnostic approval was by a pooled analysis of several studies. The ROAR study, the Rare Oncology Agnostic Research study, the NCI-MATCH dataset of tumor-agnostic cohort, and another pediatric trial, and also evidence from literature and evidence of case reports. And all this pooled analysis contributed to the tissue-agnostic approval of BRAF V600E across multiple rare cancers. There are several patient advocacy organizations which are the real unsung heroes here. Groups like, for instance, we mentioned in the paper, Target Cancer Foundation, don't just raise awareness for rare cancer research, they actively connect patients to trials providing financial, emotional support, and even run their own studies like the TRACK trial. They also influence policy to make access easier. On a global scale, initiatives like DRUP in the Netherlands, the ROME study in Italy, the PCM4EU in Europe are expanding precision medicine across these borders. These collaborations accelerate research, improve trial enrollment, and ensure patients everywhere can have access to these cutting-edge therapies. Again, it is truly a team effort, right? It is a multi-stakeholder approach. Researchers, clinicians, investigators, industry, regulators, academia, patients, patient advocates, and their caregivers all working together. And it takes a village. Dr. Hope Rugo: Absolutely. I mean, what a nice response to that. And I think really exciting and it is great to see your passion about this as well. But it helps all of us, I think, getting discouraged in treating these cancers to understand what is happening moving forward. And I think it is also a fabulous opportunity for our junior colleagues as they rise up in academics to be involved in these international collaborative efforts which are further expanding. One of the things that comes up for clinical trials for patients, and I think it is highlighted with rare cancers because, as you mentioned, people are all over the place, you know, they are so rare. They are all far away. Our patients are always saying to us, "Should I go here for a phase 1 trial?" Can you talk a little bit about how we can overcome these financial and geographic burdens for the patients? You talked about having trials locally, but it is a big financial and just social burden for patients. Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Great point. Financial cost is a major barrier in rare cancer clinical trials. It is a major barrier not just in rare cancer clinical trials, but in clinical trials in general. The economics of rare cancer research are one of the toughest challenges we face. Developing a new drug is already expensive, often billions of dollars. On an average, it takes 2 billion dollars or 2.8 billion dollars according to some data from drug discovery to approval. For rare cancers, the market is tiny, which means the pharmaceutical companies have really little financial incentive to invest. That is why initiatives like the Orphan Drug Act were created to provide tax credits, grants, and market exclusivity to encourage development for rare diseases. Clinical trials themselves are expensive because the small patient populations mean longer recruitment times and higher per-patient costs. Geographic dispersion, as you mentioned, for the patients adds travel, coordination. That is why we need to think out of the box about decentralized trial infrastructure so that we can mitigate some of these expenses. Complex trial designs like basket or platform trials sometimes require sophisticated data systems and regulatory oversight. That is a challenge. And I think some of the pragmatic studies like ASCO TAPUR have overcome those challenges. Advanced technologies like next-gen sequencing and molecular profiling also add significant upfront cost to this. Funding is also limited because rare cancers receive less attention compared to common cancers. Public funding and cooperative group trials help a lot, but I think they cannot cover everything. Patient advocacy organizations sometimes step in to bridge these gaps, but sustainable financing remains a huge challenge. So, the bottom line is without financial incentives and collaborating funding models, many promising therapies for rare cancers would never make it to patients. That is why we need system-wide policy changes, global partnerships, and innovative, effective, seamless trial designs which are so critical so that they can help reduce the cost and make research feasible so that we can deliver the right drug to the right patient at the right time. Dr. Hope Rugo: There is a lot of excitement about the future integration of AI in screening. Just at the San Antonio Breast Cancer meetings, we have a number of different presentations about AI to find markers, even like HER2, and using AI where you would screen and then match patients to clinical trials. Do you have any guidance for the rare cancer community on how to leverage this technology in order to optimize patient enrollment and, I think, identification of the best treatment matches? Dr. Vivek Subbiah: I think artificial intelligence, AI, is a game-changer in the making. Right now, clinical trial is clunky. Matching patients to trial is often manual, time consuming, laborious. You need a lot of personnel to do that. AI can automate this process by analyzing genomic data, medical records, and trial eligibility criteria to find the best matches quickly, accurately, and effectively. For the community, the key is to invest in data standardization and interoperability because AI needs clean, structured data to work effectively. Dr. Hope Rugo: Thank you so much, Dr. Subbiah, for sharing these fantastic insights with us on the podcast today and for your excellent article. Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Thank you so much. Dr. Hope Rugo: We thank you, our listeners, for joining us today. You will find a link to Dr. Subbiah's Educational Book article in the transcript of this episode. And please join us again next month on By the Book for more insightful views on key issues and innovations that are shaping modern oncology. Thank you. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers: Dr. Hope Rugo @hoperugo Dr. Vivek Subbiah @VivekSubbiah Follow ASCO on social media: ASCO on X ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Hope Rugo: Honoraria: Mylan/Viatris, Chugai Pharma Consulting/Advisory Role: Napo Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Bristol Myer Research Funding (Inst.): OBI Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Hoffman La-Roche AG/Genentech, In., Stemline Therapeutics, Ambryx Dr. Vivek Subbiah: Consulting/Advisory Role: Loxo/Lilly, Illumina, AADI, Foundation Medicine, Relay Therapeutics, Pfizer, Roche, Bayer, Incyte, Novartis, Pheon Therapeutics, Abbvie Research Funding (Inst.): Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, NanoCarrier, Northwest Biotherapeutics, Genentech/Roche, Berg Pharma, Bayer, Incyte, Fujifilm, PharmaMar, D3 Oncology Solutions, Pfizer, Amgen, Abbvie, Mutlivir, Blueprint Medicines, Loxo, Vegenics, Takeda, Alfasigma, Agensys, Idera, Boston Biomedical, Inhibrx, Exelixis, Amgen, Turningpoint Therapeutics, Relay Therapeutics Other Relationship: Medscape, Clinical Care Options
Dr. Monty Pal and Dr. Hope Rugo discuss advances in antibody-drug conjugates for various breast cancer types as well as treatment strategies in the new era of oral SERDs for HR-positive breast cancer. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Monty Pal: Hello, and welcome to the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Monty Pal. I'm a medical oncologist and vice chair of academic affairs here at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles. Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Dr. Hope Rugo, an internationally renowned breast medical oncologist and my colleague here at City of Hope, where she leads the Women's Cancers Program and serves as division chief of breast medical oncology. Dr. Rugo is going to share with us exciting advances in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that are expanding treatment options in various breast cancer types. She'll also address some of the complex questions arising in the new era of oral SERDs (selective estrogen receptor degraders) that are revolutionizing treatment in the hormone receptor-positive breast cancer space. Our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode. Dr. Rugo, welcome, and thanks so much for being on the podcast today. Dr. Hope Rugo: Thank you. Pleasure to be here. Dr. Monty Pal: So, I'm going to switch to first names if you don't mind. The first topic is actually a really exciting one, Hope, and this is antibody-drug conjugates. I don't know if I've ever shared this with you, but I actually started my training at UCLA, I was a med student and resident there, and it was in Dennis Slamon's lab. I worked very closely with Mark Pegram and a handful of others. This is right around the time I think a lot of HER2-directed therapies were really evolving initially in the clinics. Now we've got antibody-drug conjugates. Our audience is well-familiar with the mechanism there but tell us about how ADCs have really started to reshape therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. Dr. Hope Rugo: Yeah, I mean, this is a really great place to start. I mean, we have had such major advances in breast cancer just this year, I think really changing the paradigm of treating patients. But HER2-positive disease, we've been used to having sequenced success of new agents. And I think the two biggest areas where we've made advances in HER2-positive disease, which were remarkably advanced this year in 2025, have been in antibody-drug conjugates with trastuzumab deruxtecan and with new oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that have less of a target on EGFR and more on HER2, so they have an overall more tolerable toxicity profile and therefore a potentially better efficacy in the clinic. At least that's what we're seeing with these new strategies that we couldn't really pursue in the past because of toxicities of the oral TKIs. So, although our topic is ADCs, I'm going to include the TKI because it's so important in our thinking about treating HER2-positive disease. In the metastatic setting, we've seen these remarkable improvements in progression-free and overall survival in the second-line setting with T-DXd, or trastuzumab deruxtecan, compared to T-DM1. And then sequencing ADCs with giving T-DXd after T-DM1 was better than an oral tyrosine kinase or a trastuzumab combination with standard chemotherapy. That was DESTINY-Breast03 and DESTINY-Breast02. So, then we've had other trials since then, and T-DXd has moved into the early-stage setting, which I'll talk about in just a moment. But the next big trial for T-DXd in HER2-positive disease was moving it to the first-line setting to supplant what has become an established treatment for now quite a long time: the so-called CLEOPATRA regimen, which used the combined antibodies trastuzumab, pertuzumab with a taxane as first-line therapy. And then we've proceeded on with maintenance with ongoing HP for patients with responding or stable disease. And we'd seen long-term data showing, you know, at 8 years there was a group of patients whose cancers had never progressed and continued improved overall survival. So, T-DXd was studied in DESTINY-Breast09, either alone or in combination with pertuzumab compared to THP. The patient population had received a little bit more prior treatment, but interestingly, not a lot compared to CLEOPATRA. And they designed the trial to be T-DXd continued until progression with or without pertuzumab versus THP, which would go for six cycles and then stop around six cycles, and then stop and continue HP. Patients who had hormone receptor-positive disease could use hormone therapy, and this is one of the issues with this dataset because, surprisingly in this dataset and one other I'll mention, very few patients took hormone therapy. And even in the maintenance trial, the HER2CLIMB-05, less than 50% took hormone therapy as maintenance. This is kind of shocking to me and highlights an area of really important education, that outcome is improved when you add endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive HER2-positive metastatic disease in the maintenance phase, and it's a really important part of treatment. But suffice it to say, you know, you're kind of studying continued chemo versus stopping chemo in maintenance. And T-DXd, as we all expected, in combination with pertuzumab was superior to THP in terms of progression-free survival, really remarkably improved. And you could stop the chemo with toxicity, but most people continued it with T-DXd. Again, not a lot of people got hormone therapy, which is an issue, and you stop the chemo in the control arm. So, this has brought up a lot of interest in trying to use T-DXd as an induction and then go to maintenance, much as we do with the CLEOPATRA regimen with hormone therapy. But it brings up another issue. So first, T-DXd is superior; it's a great treatment. Not everybody needs to have it because we don't know whether it's better to give T-DXd first or second with progression - that we need a little bit longer follow-up. But just earlier this week, interestingly, the third week of December, the U.S. FDA approved T-DXd in the DESTINY-Breast09 approach with pertuzumab. So as I mentioned earlier, there was a T-DXd-alone arm; that arm has not yet reported. So very interesting, we don't know if you need pertuzumab or not. So what about the maintenance? That's the other area where we've made a huge advance here. So, we all want to stop chemo and we want to stop T-DXd. You don't want somebody being nauseated for two years while they're on treatment, and also there's a small number of patients with mostly de novo metastatic HER2-positive disease who are cured of their disease. We'd like to expand that, and I think these new drugs give us the opportunity to improve the number of patients who might be cured from metastatic disease. So the first maintenance study we saw was adding palbociclib, the CDK4/6 inhibitor, to endocrine therapy and HP, essentially. There, we had a remarkable improvement in progression-free survival difference of 15.2 months: 29 to 44 months, really huge. At San Antonio this year, we saw data with this oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor tucatinib, already showed it was great in a triplet, but as maintenance in combination with HP, it showed also a remarkable improvement in progression-free survival. But the numbers were all shifted down. So in PATINA, the control arm was in the 24-month range; here it was the tucatinib-HP arm that was in the 25 months and 16 months for control. So there was a differential benefit in ER-negative and ER-positive disease. So I think we're all thinking that our ideal approach moving forward would be to give T-DXd to most patients, we see how they do, and treat to best response. And then, stop the T-DXd, start HP, trastuzumab, pertuzumab for ER-negative, with tucatinib for ER-positive with palbociclib. We also have early data that suggests that both approaches may reduce the development of brain metastases, an issue in HER2-positive disease, and delay time to progression of brain metastases as seen in HER2CLIMB-05 in very early data - small numbers, but still quite intriguing that you might delay progression of brain metastases with tucatinib that clearly has efficacy in the brain. So, I think that this is a hugely exciting advance for our patients, and these approaches are quickly moving into the early stage setting. T-DXd compared to standard chemo, essentially followed by THP, so a sequenced approach resulted in more pathologic complete responses than a standard THP-AC-type neoadjuvant therapy. T-DXd alone for eight cycles wasn't better, and that's interesting. We still need the sequenced non-cross-resistant chemo. But I think even more importantly, the data from DESTINY-Breast05 looking at T-DXd versus T-DM1 in patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant HER2-targeted therapy showed a remarkable improvement in invasive disease-free survival with T-DXd versus T-DM1, and quite early. It was a high-risk population, higher risk than the T-DM1 trial with KATHERINE, but earlier readout with a remarkable improvement in outcome. We expect to be FDA approved sometime in the first half of 2026. So then we'll get patients who've already had T-DXd who get metastatic disease. But my hope is that with T-DXd, maybe with tucatinib in the right group of patients or even sequenced in very high-risk disease, that we could cure many more patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer and cure a subset, a greater subset of patients with de novo metastatic disease. Dr. Monty Pal: That's brilliant. And you tackled so many questions that I was going to follow up with there: brain metastases, etc. That was sort of looming in my mind. I mean, general thoughts on an ADC versus a TKI in the context of brain mets? Dr. Hope Rugo: Yeah, it's an interesting question because T-DXd has shown quite good efficacy in this setting. And tucatinib, of course, had a trial where they took patients with new brain mets, so a larger population than we've seen yet for the T-DXd trials, and saw that not only did they delay progression of brain metastases and result in shrinkage of existing untreated brain mets, but that patients who develop a new brain met, they could stay on the same assigned treatment. They got stereotactic radiation, and then the patients who were on tucatinib with trastuzumab and capecitabine had a further delay in progression of brain mets compared to those on the placebo arm, even after treatment of a new one that developed on treatment. So, I think it's hard. I think most of us for a lot of brain mets might start with the tucatinib approach, but T-DXd is also a very important treatment. You know, you're kind of trading off a diarrhea, some liver enzyme elevations with tucatinib versus nausea, which you really have to work on managing because it can be long-delayed nausea, and this risk of ILD, interstitial lung disease, that's about 12%, with most but not all trials showing a mortality rate from interstitial lung disease of just under 1 percent. In the early-stage setting, it was really interesting to see that with T-DXd getting four cycles in the neoadjuvant setting, a lot less ILD noted than the patients who got up to 14 cycles, as I think they got a median of 10 cycles in the post-surgical setting, there was a little bit more ILD. But I think we're going to be better and better at finding this earlier and preventing mortality by just stopping drug and treating earlier with steroids. Dr. Monty Pal: And this ILD issue, it always seems to resurface. There are drugs that I use in my kidney cancer clinic, everolimus, common to perhaps the breast cancer clinic as well, pembrolizumab, where I think the pattern of pneumonitis is quite different, right? What is your strategy for recognizing pneumonitis early in this context? Dr. Hope Rugo: Well, it is, and you know, having done the very early studies in everolimus where we gave it in the neoadjuvant setting and we're like, "Hmm, the patient came in with a cough. What's going on?" You know, we didn't know. And you have mouth sores, you know, we were learning about the drug as we were giving it. What we don't do with everolimus and CDK4/6 inhibitors, for example, is grade 1 changes like radiation pneumonitis, we don't stop, we don't treat it. We only treat for symptoms. But because of the mortality associated with T-DXd, albeit small, we stop drug for grade 1 imaging-only asymptomatic pneumonitis, and some of us treat with a half dose of steroids just to try and hasten recovery. We've actually now published or presented a couple of datasets from trials, a pooled analysis and a real-world analysis, that have looked at patients who were retreated after grade 1 pneumonitis or ILD and tolerated drug very well and none of them died of interstitial lung disease, which was really great to see because you can retreat safely and some of these patients stayed on for almost a year benefiting from treatment. So, there's a differential toxicity profile with these drugs and there are risk factors which clearly have identified those at higher risk: prior ILD, for example. A French group said smoking; other people haven't found that, maybe because they smoked more in France, I don't know. And being of Japanese descent is quite interesting. The studies just captured that you were treated in Japan, but I think it's probably being of Japanese descent with many drugs that increases your risk of ILD. And, you know, older patients, people who have hypoxia, those are the patients. So, how do we do this? With everolimus, we don't have specific monitoring. But for T-DXd we do; we do every nine weeks to start with and then every 12 weeks CT scans because most of the events occur relatively early. Somebody who's older and at higher risk now get the first CT at six weeks. Dr. Monty Pal: This is super helpful. And I have to tell you, a lot of these drugs are permeating the bladder cancer space which, you know, is ultimately going to be a component of my practice, so thank you for all this. We could probably stay on this topic of HER2-positive disease forever. I'm super interested in that space still. But let me shift gears a little bit and talk about triple-negative breast cancer and this evolving space of HR-positive, HER2-low breast cancer. I mean, tell us about ADCs in that very sort of other broad area. Dr. Hope Rugo: So triple-negative disease is the absolute hardest subset of disease that we have to treat because if you don't have a great response in the early stage setting, the median survival is very short, you know, under two years for the majority of TNBCs, with the exception of the small percentage of low proliferative disease subsets. The co-question is what do we do for these patients and how do we improve outcome? And sacituzumab govitecan has been one strategy in the later line setting that was shown to improve progression-free and overall survival, the Trop-2 ADC. We had recently three trials presented with the two ADCs, sacituzumab govitecan and the other Trop-2 ADC that's approved for HR-positive disease, datopotamab deruxtecan. And they were studied in the first-line setting. Two trials with SG, sacituzumab govitecan, those trials, one was PD-L1 positive, ASCENT-04. That showed that SG with a checkpoint inhibitor was superior, so pembrolizumab was superior to the standard KEYNOTE-355 type of treatment with either a taxane or gemcitabine and carboplatin with pembrolizumab for patients who have a combined positive score for PD-L1, 10 or greater. So, these are patients who are eligible for a checkpoint inhibitor, and SG resulted in an improved progression-free survival. The interesting thing about that dataset is that few patients had received adjuvant or neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor, which is fascinating because we give it to everybody now. But access is an issue and timing of the study enrollment was an issue. The other thing which I think we've all really applauded Gilead for is that there was automatic crossover. So, you could get from the company, to try and overcome some of the enormous disparities worldwide in access to these life-saving drugs, you could get SG through the company for free once you had blinded independent central review confirmation of disease progression. Now, a lot of the people who got the SG got it through their insurance, they didn't bill the company, but 80 percent of patients in the control arm received SG in the second-line setting. So that impacts your ability to look at overall survival, but it's an incredibly important component of these trials. So then at ESMO, we saw the data from SG and Dato-DXd in the first-line metastatic setting for patients who either had PD-L1-negative disease or weren't eligible for an immunotherapy. For the Dato study, TROPION-Breast02, that was 10 percent of the patients who had PD-L1-positive disease but didn't get a checkpoint inhibitor, and for the ASCENT-03 trial population it was only 1 percent. Importantly, the trials allowed patients who relapsed within a year of receiving their treatment with curative intent, and the Dato study, TB-02, allowed patients who relapsed while on treatment or within the first six months, and that was 15 percent of the 20 percent of early relapsers. The ASCENT trial, ASCENT-03, had 20 percent who relapsed between 6 and 12 months. The drugs were better than standard of care chemotherapy, the ADCs in both trials, which is very nice. Different toxicity profiles, different dosing intervals, but better than standard of care chemotherapy in the disease that's hardest for us to treat. And importantly, when you looked at the subset of early relapsers, those patients also did better with the ADC versus chemotherapy, which is incredibly important. And we were really interested in that 15 percent of patients who had early relapse. I actually think that six months thing was totally contrived, invented, you know, categorization and doesn't make any sense, and we should drop it. But the early relapsers were 15 percent of TB-02 and Dato was superior to standard of care chemo. We like survival, but the ASCENT trial again allowed the crossover to an approved ADC that improved survival and 80 percent of patients crossed over. In the Dato trial, they did not allow crossover, they didn't provide Dato, which isn't approved for TNBC but is for HR-positive disease, and they didn't allow, of course, pay for SG. So very few patients actually crossed over in their post-treatment data and in that study, they were able to show a survival benefit. So actually, I think in the U.S. where we can use approved drugs already before there's a fixed FDA approval, that people are already switching to use SG or Dato in the first-line setting for metastatic TNBC that's both PD-L1 positive for SG and PD-L1 negative for both drugs. And I think understanding the toxicity profiles of the two drugs is really important as well as the dosing interval to try and figure out which drug to use. Dr. Monty Pal: Brilliant. Brilliant. Well, I'm going to shift gears a little bit. ADCs are a topic, again, just like HER2-positive disease we could stay on forever. Dr. Hope Rugo: Huge. Yes. Dr. Monty Pal: But we're going to shift gears to another massive topic, which is oral SERDs. In broad strokes, right, this utilization of CDK4/6 inhibitors in the context of HR-positive breast cancer is obviously, you know, a paradigm that's been well established at this point. Where do we sequence in oral SERDs? Where do they fit into this paradigm? Dr. Hope Rugo: Ha! This is a rapidly changing area; we keep changing what we're saying every other minute. And I think that there are three areas of great interest. So one is patients who develop ESR1 mutations that allow constitutive signaling through the estrogen receptor, even when there's not estrogen around, and that is a really important mutation that is subclonal; it develops under the pressure of treatment in about 40 percent of patients. And it doesn't happen when you first walk in the door. And what we've seen is that oral SERDs as single agents are better than standard single-agent endocrine therapy in that setting. The problem that we've had with that approach is that we're now really interested in giving targeted agents with our endocrine therapies, not just in the first-line setting where CDK4/6 inhibitors are our standard of care with survival benefit for ribociclib and, you know, survival benefit in subsets with other CDK4/6 inhibitors, and abemaciclib with a numeric improvement. So we give it first line. The question is, what do you do in the second-line setting? Because of the recent data, we now believe that oral SERDs should be really given with a targeted agent. And some datasets which were recently presented, which I think have helped us with that, have been EMBER-3 and then the most recently evERA BC, or evERA Breast Cancer, that looked at the oral SERD giredestrant with everolimus compared to standard of care endocrine therapy with everolimus, where 100 percent of patients received prior CDK4/6 inhibitor and showed a marked improvement in progression-free survival, including in the subsets of patients with a short response, 6-12 months of prior response to CDK4/6 inhibitor and in those who had a PIK3CA pathway mutation. The thing is that the benefit looks like it's much bigger in the ESR1 mutant population, although response was better, PFS wasn't better in the wild type. So, we're still trying to figure that out. We also saw EMBER-3 with imlunestrant and abemaciclib as a second line. Not everybody had had a prior CDK4/6 inhibitor; they compared it to imlunestrant alone, but still the data was quite striking and seemed to cross the need for ESR1 mutations. And then lastly, we saw data from the single arms of the ELEVATE trial looking at elacestrant with everolimus and abemaciclib and showed these really marked progression-free survival data, even though single-arm, that crossed the mutation status. At least for the everolimus combination, abemaciclib analysis is still to come in the mutated subgroups. But really remarkable PFS, much longer. Single-agent fulvestrant after CDK4/6 inhibitor AI has a PFS in like the three-month range and in some studies, maybe close to five months. These are all at 10-plus months and really looking very good. And so those questions are, is it ESR1 mutation alone? Is it all comers? We'd like all comers, right? We believe in the combination approach and we're learning more about combinations with drugs like capivasertib and other drugs as we move forward. Everybody now wants to combine their targeted agent with an oral SERD because they're clearly here to stay with quite remarkable data. The other issue, so the second issue in the metastatic setting is, does it make a difference if we change to an oral SERD before radiographic imaging evidence of progression? And that was the question asked in the SERENA-6 trial where patients had serial monitoring for the presence of ESR1 mutations in ctDNA. And those who had them without progression on imaging could be randomized to switch to camizestrant with the same CDK4/6 inhibitor or stay on their same AI CDK4/6 inhibitor. And they showed a difference in progression-free survival that markedly favored camizestrant. But interestingly, the people who were on the standard control arm had an ESR1 mutation, we think AIs don't work, they stayed on for nine more months. The patients who were on the camizestrant stayed on for more than 16 months. And they presented some additional subset data which showed the same thing: follow-up PFS data, PFS2, all beneficial in SERENA-6 at the San Antonio [Breast Cancer Symposium]. So, we're still a little bit unclear about that. They did quality of life, and pain was markedly improved. They had a marked delayed time to progression of pain in the camizestrant arm. So this is all a work in progress, trying to understand who should we switch without progression to an oral SERD based on this development of this mutation that correlates with resistance. And, you know, it's interesting because the median time to having a mutation was 18 months and the median time to switch was almost 24 months. And then there were like more than 3,000 patients who hadn't gotten a mutation, hadn't switched, and were still okay. So screening everybody is the big question, and when you would start and who you would change on and how this affects outcome. Patients didn't have access to camizestrant in the control arm, something we can't fix but we have experimental drugs. We're actually planning a trial, I hope in collaboration with the French group Unicancer, and looking at this exact question. You know, if you switch and you change the CDK4/6 inhibitor and then you also allow crossover, what will we see? Dr. Monty Pal: We're coming right to the tail end of our time here, and I could probably go on for another couple of hours with you here. But if you could just give us maybe one or two big highlights from San Antonio, any thoughts to leave our audience with here based on this recent meeting? Dr. Hope Rugo: Yeah, I mean, I talked about a lot of those new data already from San Antonio, and the one that I'd really like to mention which I think was, you know, there were a lot of great presentations including personalized screening presented from the WISDOM trial by my colleague Laura Esserman, fascinating and really a big advance. But lidERA was the big highlight, I think, outside of the HER2CLIMB-05 which I talked about earlier in HER2-positive disease. And this study looked at giredestrant, the oral SERD versus standard of care endocrine therapy as treatment for medium and high-risk early-stage breast cancer. And what they showed, which I think was really remarkable with just about a three-year median follow-up, was an improvement in invasive disease-free survival with a hazard ratio of 0.7. I mean, really quite remarkable and so early. It looked as though this was all driven by the high-risk group, which makes sense, not the medium risk, it's too early. And also that there was a bigger benefit in patients who were on tamoxifen compared to giredestrant versus AI, but for both groups, the confidence intervals didn't cross 1. There's even a trend towards overall survival, even though it's way too early. I think that, you know, really well-tolerated oral drug that could improve outcome in early-stage disease, this is the first advance we've seen in over two decades in the treatment of early-stage hormone receptor-positive disease with just endocrine therapy. I think we think that we don't want to give up CDK4/6 inhibitors because we saw a survival benefit with abemaciclib and a trend with giving ribociclib in the NATALEE trial. So we're thinking that maybe one approach would be to give CDK4/6 inhibitors and then switch to an oral SERD or to have enough data to be able to give oral SERDs with these CDK4/6 inhibitors for early-stage disease. And that's all in the works, you know, lots of studies going on. We're going to see a lot of data with both switching 8,000 patients with an imlunestrant switching trial, an elacestrant trial going on, and safety data with giredestrant with abemaciclib and soon to come ribociclib. So, this is going to change everything for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, and I hope cure more patients of the most common subset of the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Dr. Monty Pal: Super exciting. It's just remarkable to hear how this has evolved since 25 years ago, which is really the last time I sort of dabbled in breast cancer. Thank you so much, Hope, for joining us today. These were fantastic insights. Appreciate you being on the ASCO Daily News Podcast and really want to thank you personally for your remarkable contribution to the field of breast cancer. Dr. Hope Rugo: Thank you very much, and thanks for talking with me today. Dr. Monty Pal: You got it. And thanks a lot to our listeners today as well. You'll find links to all the studies we discussed today in the transcript of this episode. Finally, if you value the insights that you hear today on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinion of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers: Dr. Monty Pal @montypal Dr. Hope Rugo @hoperugo Follow ASCO on social media: ASCO on X ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Monty Pal: Speakers' Bureau: MJH Life Sciences, IntrisiQ, Peerview Research Funding (Inst.): Exelixis, Merck, Osel, Genentech, Crispr Therapeutics, Adicet Bio, ArsenalBio, Xencor, Miyarsian Pharmaceutical Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Crispr Therapeutics, Ipsen, Exelixis Dr. Hope Rugo: Honoraria: Mylan/Viatris, Chugai Pharma Consulting/Advisory Role: Napo Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Bristol Myer Research Funding (Inst.): OBI Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Hoffman La-Roche AG/Genentech, In., Stemline Therapeutics, Ambryx
Join podcast host Takanori Yamaguchi, MD, PhD, and his guests Koichi Magashina, MD, PhD, and Michifumi Tokuda, MD, PhD for this week's Lead episode. This episode was recorded LIVE at APHRS 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. This episode is recorded entirely in Japanese. The DECAF trial investigated whether continuing regular caffeinated coffee consumption versus complete abstinence affected the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter in patients after successful cardioversion. Over six months in this randomized study of 200 adults, those who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a significantly lower rate of AF or flutter recurrence compared to those who abstained (47% vs. 64%), suggesting moderate coffee intake may be safe and potentially beneficial for rhythm stability in this setting. Learning Objectives Evaluate the impact of caffeinated coffee consumption versus abstinence on atrial fibrillation recurrence following cardioversion. Interpret the design and key outcomes of the DECAF randomized clinical trial and their relevance to clinical practice. Apply the trial findings to patient counseling regarding caffeine intake and atrial fibrillation management. Article Authors Christopher X. Wong, MBBS, MPH, PhD; Christopher C. Cheung, MD, MPH; Gabrielle Montenegro, BA, Hannah H. Oo, BS; Isabella J. Peña, BA; Janet J. Tang, MPH, PhD; Samuel J. Tu, MBBS; Grace Wall, BA1; Thomas A. Dewland, MD; Joshua D. Moss, MD; Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD; Zian H. Tseng, MD, MAS; Henry H. Hsia, MD; Randall J. Lee, MD, PhD; Jeffrey E. Olgin, MD; Vasanth Vedantham, MD; Melvin M. Scheinman, MD; Catherine Lee, PhD; Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD; Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS Podcast Contributors Takanori Yamaguchi, MD, PhD Koichi Magashina, MD, PhD Michifumi Tokuda, MD, PhD Link to article Host and Contributor Disclosure(s): T. Yamaguchi Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Abbott Japan, Japan Medtronic, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceutical, Japan, Nihon Kohden, Japan Lifeline, Novartis K. Nagashina Nothing to disclose M. Tokuda Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Medtronic Japan Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into a series of groundbreaking advancements and strategic movements shaping the future of healthcare.The pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are undergoing significant transformations, driven by scientific breakthroughs, regulatory developments, and strategic shifts. At the forefront is Eli Lilly's impressive lineup of investigational cardiometabolic drugs, spotlighted in Clarivate's "Drugs to Watch in 2026" report. This signals a robust focus on combating cardiometabolic disorders, which have vast implications for global health due to their widespread prevalence. The report also highlights Johnson & Johnson's competitive position in this therapeutic area, indicating a dynamic landscape where innovation is key.In oncology, Jazz Pharmaceuticals is making waves with its bispecific antibody, Ziihera, positioning it as a preferred HER2-targeted therapy for stomach cancer. This development marks a shift towards precision medicine and targeted therapies, which are gradually supplanting traditional treatments like Herceptin. The promising efficacy of Ziihera could revolutionize treatment protocols for HER2-positive gastric cancer patients, enhancing survival outcomes and quality of life.Meanwhile, a legal confrontation has erupted between Bayer and leading COVID-19 vaccine developers such as Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer-BioNTech. Bayer alleges patent infringement on intellectual property developed years prior. This lawsuit underscores the intricate relationship between innovation and intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical industry, especially poignant in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.Daiichi Sankyo's collaboration with Genesis to commercialize Vanflyta—an acute myeloid leukemia treatment—across 13 European countries highlights strategic movements in oncology. Approved in 2023, this partnership exemplifies Daiichi's commitment to expanding its European market presence and improving patient access to critical cancer therapies.GSK's promising Phase 3 results for its hepatitis B drug candidate represent a potential breakthrough as a "functional cure." Such advancements could redefine management strategies for hepatitis B, a chronic infection affecting millions worldwide. The positive trial outcomes pave the way for FDA submission, showcasing GSK's dedication to addressing unmet medical needs through innovative approaches.Amgen's strategic partnership with Disco Pharmaceuticals illustrates ongoing investment in oncology research. With a $618 million agreement focused on cancer target discovery, Amgen leverages Disco's expertise to fortify its oncology pipeline. This collaboration underscores the significance of cooperative innovation in drug development and enhancing therapeutic options.In gene therapy, Ikarovec and VectorBuilder are advancing eye disease treatments through an innovative partnership. Their $1 billion deal aims to make gene therapies more accessible by enabling administration outside specialized settings—a transformative approach that could democratize advanced treatments.Hope Biosciences' Phase 2 study results offer hope for Parkinson's disease patients through stem cell therapy improvements in motor function. Despite some data discrepancies, these findings set the stage for Phase 3 trials and underscore the potential of stem cell therapies in neurological disorders.The pharmaceutical industry also grapples with economic challenges as layoffs rise by 16% year-over-year in 2025. Concurrently, despite regulatory hurdles and macroeconomic uncertainties, the FDA approved 55 new treatments and vaccines—a testament to resilience and innovation within biopharma.In regulatory dynamics, GSK's Exdensur received approval in Japan for treating severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitisSupport the show
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. As we delve into the year 2025, it's clear that the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have been navigating a complex landscape filled with both challenges and remarkable advancements. Despite regulatory uncertainties and broader economic fluctuations, the FDA approved 55 new treatments and vaccines this year. Although this figure represents a slight decline from previous years, it underscores the sector's resilience and steadfast commitment to innovation even amid external pressures.One significant development in oncology comes from Incyte, which is advancing its application for FDA approval of a seven-drug Monjuvi regimen as a first-line treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This move is backed by positive Phase 3 trial results, highlighting Monjuvi's potential to enhance treatment options for this aggressive cancer type. However, Incyte may face hurdles in gaining regulatory approval and achieving commercial success, reflecting the competitive nature of oncology therapeutics.In obesity management, Novo Nordisk introduced its once-daily Wegovy pill in the U.S., marking a milestone in the field. Priced at $149 per month for cash-paying patients with potential discounts for those insured, Wegovy's launch could shift market dynamics significantly by offering a more accessible treatment option. This aligns with the growing global focus on obesity as a critical public health issue.The industry also saw substantial investments to bolster manufacturing capabilities. Daiichi Sankyo announced plans to invest $1.9 billion to expand Enhertu production facilities across countries such as the United States, China, Japan, and Germany. This strategic move aims to strengthen supply chain robustness and meet anticipated demand for Enhertu, a pivotal player in cancer therapeutics. Meanwhile, economic pressures are palpable as drugmakers raised prices on over 350 products at the start of the year, surpassing previous years' increases. This reflects ongoing tensions around drug pricing policies and affordability, posing challenges for industry stakeholders and patients alike.The labor landscape within biopharma has been affected as well, with layoffs increasing by 16% year-over-year in 2025. These reductions highlight ongoing cost-cutting measures amid financial uncertainties and strategic realignments within companies. Yet, strategic partnerships continue to shape research and development efforts, particularly in autoimmune diseases. Sanofi's collaboration with AI biotech Earendil Labs could potentially reach $2.5 billion, emphasizing the increasing role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development processes. These collaborations are poised to accelerate advancements in personalized medicine and innovative therapeutic approaches.Regulatory activities have also seen notable developments this year. GSK's Nucala received approval for treating COPD in China, expanding its therapeutic scope beyond asthma. This regulatory progress signifies opportunities for existing drugs to access new markets and indications. However, the National Institutes of Health faced leadership challenges with the departure of its National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke director. This adds to a series of leadership changes across NIH institutes, raising concerns about stability within this pivotal organization responsible for advancing medical research.Turning now to significant scientific advancements and clinical trials, promising results emerged from studies focused on cellular energy boosters aimed at treating Alzheimer's disease. A molecule that restores cellular energy was shown to reverse cognitive decline in mice with advanced Alzheimer's, suggesting a potential new class of therapeutics for this debilitating condition. Support the show
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/PSM865. CME/MOC/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 18, 2026.Achieving Disease Control in TGCT: Critical Steps For Integrating Evidence-Based Care With CSF1R Inhibitors In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, and TGCT Support, a program of The Life Raft Group. PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KFF865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 21, 2026.Turning the Tide in Gastric Cancer Management: Integrating Modern Systemic Therapies Across the Disease Continuum for Community-Based Clinicians In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KFF865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 21, 2026.Turning the Tide in Gastric Cancer Management: Integrating Modern Systemic Therapies Across the Disease Continuum for Community-Based Clinicians In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KFF865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 21, 2026.Turning the Tide in Gastric Cancer Management: Integrating Modern Systemic Therapies Across the Disease Continuum for Community-Based Clinicians In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KFF865. CME/MOC/NCPD/AAPA/IPCE credit will be available until December 21, 2026.Turning the Tide in Gastric Cancer Management: Integrating Modern Systemic Therapies Across the Disease Continuum for Community-Based Clinicians In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. In the ever-evolving landscape of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, a series of strategic transactions and scientific advancements are reshaping the industry.BioMarin's acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics for $4.8 billion is a significant highlight, marking the company's largest transaction to date. This move signifies a strategic pivot towards enhancing its capabilities in the rare disease sector, leveraging Amicus's expertise and robust pipeline to potentially improve patient outcomes in this highly specialized area. This acquisition is expected to enrich BioMarin's portfolio significantly with promising assets from Amicus, reflecting a strategic shift under new leadership towards rare disease treatments.Regulatory affairs have seen considerable activity as well, with the FDA raising concerns over manufacturing practices at Catalent's gene therapy facility. These issues, documented in a Form 483 following inspections, particularly pertain to the production of Elevidys. Such regulatory scrutiny emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining compliance with manufacturing standards in gene therapy—a burgeoning field within biotech that holds immense promise for treating genetically-driven conditions.The FDA's oversight extends beyond manufacturing practices to advertising, as evidenced by an untitled letter issued to Bristol Myers Squibb regarding their Cobenfy TV ad. This action is part of the FDA's broader initiative to ensure that direct-to-consumer marketing materials accurately portray drug benefits and risks, thereby protecting public health.In another strategic move, Alvotech and Teva are gearing up for the 2026 U.S. launch of an Eylea biosimilar following a settlement with Regeneron. This development highlights the competitive dynamics within the biosimilar market—a segment poised for growth as patents on major biologics expire, offering more cost-effective alternatives and expanding treatment access.Meanwhile, Clovis Oncology has achieved a milestone with Rubraca, which transitioned from accelerated approval to full FDA endorsement for prostate cancer treatment after five years. This progression underscores Rubraca's demonstrated efficacy and safety profile in addressing advanced prostate cancer—a notable achievement amid an increasingly competitive oncology market.Policy changes proposed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could have profound implications by disrupting funding streams for hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors. The potential impact on healthcare providers and patients who rely on these services is significant.Turning to clinical trials, Daiichi Sankyo has seen success with Enhertu receiving FDA approval for first-line HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. Nonetheless, challenges persist as a separate phase 3 trial for another antibody-drug conjugate was paused due to unexpected patient deaths. Meanwhile, Takeda plans to seek FDA approval for its TYK2 inhibitor following successful phase 3 trials in psoriasis—indicating promising potential in autoimmune disease therapies.Strategic shifts are evident across organizations as well, highlighted by Kathy Fernando's departure from Pfizer to join Replicate Bioscience as Chief Business Officer. Her new role focuses on advancing Replicate's self-replicating RNA technology platform—an area gaining traction due to its implications for vaccine development and therapeutic applications.On the clinical trials front, Altimmune reported encouraging results from a 48-week study on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Their GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist demonstrated sustained weight loss and improvements in non-invasive liver fibrosis measures—offering new hope for MASH patients who face limited treSupport the show
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into a series of significant updates that are shaping the future of healthcare, patient care, and drug development.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been particularly active recently, granting Johnson & Johnson a National Priority Review Voucher for its multiple myeloma drug combination. This move highlights the importance of J&J's treatment in addressing unmet needs within oncology, a field continuously striving for innovative solutions. These vouchers expedite the review process, reflecting a broader commitment to accelerating the availability of critical therapies for patients who need them most.Continuing with regulatory advancements, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu, in combination with Roche's Perjeta, has gained FDA approval as a first-line treatment for unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This breakthrough is supported by late-stage study results demonstrating a 44% reduction in disease progression or death compared to standard care. The approval signifies not only progress in breast cancer therapeutics but also underscores the potential benefits of strategic collaborations in drug development. Such partnerships are increasingly vital as they aim to optimize therapeutic efficacy through shared expertise and resources.In contrast to these advancements, Pfizer is facing financial recalibrations with projected revenues for 2026 estimated to decline due to diminishing COVID-19 vaccine sales and patent expirations. This situation reflects broader industry challenges as companies navigate post-pandemic market dynamics and patent cliffs, forcing reevaluations of long-term strategies.On another front, Gilead Sciences continues to push boundaries in HIV treatment with a promising single-tablet regimen combining bictegravir and lenacapavir. This innovation targets underserved segments within the HIV market, offering streamlined treatment options that could enhance patient adherence and outcomes significantly.Shifting focus to obesity management, Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide is emerging as a highly anticipated medication among primary care providers. This trend highlights a growing preference for oral GLP-1 therapies as convenient alternatives to injectable formulations, marking a shift in how obesity—a major public health concern—is managed.The importance of regulatory compliance remains evident as Novo Nordisk received an FDA warning letter concerning manufacturing issues at an Indiana site previously owned by Catalent. This incident underscores the necessity for rigorous quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing, which can have far-reaching implications on operational dynamics and supply chains.The FDA is also pioneering efforts to incorporate real-world evidence into medical device submissions by opening pathways for extensive deidentified datasets from sources like national cancer registries and electronic health records. This policy shift aims to integrate diverse data sources into the evidentiary foundation for medical device evaluations, potentially fostering innovation within this sector.In line with collaborative efforts, Genentech has partnered with Caris Life Sciences in a multi-year agreement valued at up to $1.1 billion, emphasizing the strategic importance of integrating diagnostic advancements with therapeutic developments to achieve precision medicine goals.Meanwhile, Yarrow Bioscience has acquired an autoimmune thyroid disease drug from China's Gensci, exemplifying a growing trend of cross-border collaborations aimed at leveraging global innovation ecosystems to address diverse therapeutic areas. This acquisition is part of a $1.37 billion deal, reinforcing the globalization of biotech partnerships as companies seek access to novel therapeutics andSupport the show
Eli Lilly is wrapping up 2025 with record-breaking weight loss in a late-stage trial for its triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide. Results from the Phase III TRIUMPH-4 trial exceeded analyst expectations, leading BMO Capital markets to cleverly dub it “a true TRIUMPH.” Also in the weight loss arena, Zealand Pharma inked a deal with China's OTR Therapeutics worth up to $2.5 billion to collaborate on next-gen drugs for obesity and other metabolic diseases, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals awaits a Dec. 20 FDA verdict for Imcivree in hypothalamic obesity. Turning to the FDA, reports broke late last week that the agency was considering slapping a black box label—its strictest warning—on COVID-19 vaccines. Commissioner Marty Makary denied those reports on Monday, stating on Bloomberg TV that the FDA has “no plans” to make such a move. This follows an internal memo from Vinay Prasad leaked over Thanksgiving in which the CBER director claimed that “at least” 10 children have died “because of” COVID-19 vaccines. An internal safety review published last week refuted this conclusion, instead concluding that between zero and seven deaths could be linked to the shots. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, for one, is tired of the recent rhetoric from HHS on vaccines and hopes they are “an anomaly” that will be corrected soon. With strong words about the administration's sentiment on vaccines, Bourla prominsed Pfizer's continued investment in vaccines despite declining revenue. Pfizer this week lowered its 2026 guidance to $62.5 billion in revenue, missing analyst consensus. The FDA has also granted several approvals in the past week, to Amgen, Milestone Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. USAntibiotics also snagged a greenlight, for Augmentin XR, the first approval to be given under the agency's new Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program. Also this week, Johnson & Johnson scored a CNPV ticket—without even having to apply—for its investigational combo of Tecvayli plus Darzalex for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after the FDA was impressed by Phase III data. In ClinicaSpace this week, we highlighted 5 of 2025's Defining Clinical Wins and The 5 Most Painful Clinical Trial Failures of 2025. This past week provided a few more on each front. In the winner's circle, Immunome's desmoid tumor drug and and Kyverna's CAR T for stiff person syndrome both aced pivotal trials, while Sanofi's MS drug tolebrutinib and Gilead and Arcus' TIGIT therapy domvanalimab each failed Phase III tests. And in BioPharm Executive, we highlight 6 Biotechs That Could Be Big Pharma's Next M&A Target, and more M&A predictions for 2026.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we dive into a series of pivotal events shaping the landscape of drug development and patient care. The interplay between scientific advancements, regulatory shifts, and strategic partnerships is setting the stage for significant transformations within the industry.A highlight of recent developments is the legal challenge faced by Merck & Co. regarding its new subcutaneous version of Keytruda. This immunotherapy, already a breakthrough in cancer treatment, has encountered a hurdle in Germany where Halozyme, known for its drug-delivery technologies, has secured a preliminary injunction. This move by a German court halts Merck's activities related to Keytruda SC in Germany and underscores the intricate web of intellectual property rights in drug launches across international markets. The outcome of this case could establish crucial precedents for future commercialization efforts involving advanced drug delivery technologies.Meanwhile, there's promising news from Bristol Myers Squibb as their CAR-T therapy, Breyanzi, receives its fifth FDA approval, this time for marginal zone lymphoma. This approval is particularly noteworthy as it marks Breyanzi as the first CAR-T treatment sanctioned for this specific indication and extends its use across five different types of blood cancers. CAR-T therapies continue to represent a frontier in cancer treatment by leveraging the body's immune system to combat malignancies more effectively. This success story from Bristol Myers Squibb highlights the expanding potential of CAR-T therapies in tackling various hematological cancers, offering renewed hope for patients with limited treatment avenues.On the regulatory front, the FDA's proposal to consider single-trial approvals for certain drugs has sparked considerable debate. While some industry voices express concerns about potential compromises to safety and efficacy standards, others see it as an opportunity to invigorate research and development investments by reducing both time and costs associated with bringing new therapies to market. This shift could indeed accelerate innovation but will necessitate a careful balance to uphold rigorous safety standards.In parallel regulatory news, Daiichi Sankyo has received an "untitled letter" from the FDA over its patient ambassador video for Turalio, indicating ongoing challenges in navigating drug promotion guidelines and patient engagement strategies. Such interactions emphasize the complexities pharmaceutical companies face within regulatory frameworks.Shifting focus to corporate strategies, Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs is exploring a partnership with Humana aimed at addressing prescription drug costs for employers. This collaboration seeks to reduce healthcare expenses through innovative pricing models and distribution channels, reflecting a broader industry trend toward cost containment and value-based care delivery.In another development affecting public health policy, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has postponed its vote on changes to newborn hepatitis B vaccine policies due to ongoing debates and confusion surrounding the topic. This delay highlights the intricate nature of updating long-standing public health policies, especially those impacting vaccination schedules.From an investment perspective, Freenome's decision to go public through a $330 million SPAC deal stands out. Specializing in developing blood tests for early cancer detection using machine learning technologies, Freenome's move aims to secure capital necessary for advancing its diagnostic tools—potentially transforming cancer screening practices by enabling earlier detection and intervention.In clinical trial news, Praxis Precision Medicines reported positive efficacy results from a Phase 2 trialSupport the show
This episode covers: Cardiology This Week: A concise summary of recent studies DAPT: how short is too short Obesity and atrial fibrillation Milestones: COURAGE Host: Emer Joyce Guests: Carlos Aguiar, Steffen Massberg, Prash Sanders Want to watch that episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2178 Want to watch that extended interview on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and shortening its optimal duration, go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/2178?resource=interview Disclaimer ESC TV Today is supported by Bristol Myers Squibb and Novartis through an independent funding. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its funding partners. This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices. Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC. The ESC is not liable for any translated content of this video. The English language always prevails. Declarations of interests Stephan Achenbach, Yasmina Bououdina, Emer Joyce, Nicolle Kraenkel and Steffen Massberg have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede. John-Paul Carpenter has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: stockholder MyCardium AI. Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi Aventis, Novo Nordisk, Terumo. Konstantinos Koskinas has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: honoraria from MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi. Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Prashanthan Sanders has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: advisory board representative University of Adelaide, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, CathRx, Abbott and Pacemate as well as research grants for University of Adelaide: Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Becton Dickson. Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we're diving into a series of pivotal events and breakthroughs shaping the future of this dynamic industry.The pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are experiencing a wave of significant advancements, regulatory shifts, and strategic maneuvers. Recently, Bristol Myers Squibb faced a delay in their Alzheimer's psychosis treatment, Cobenfy, due to site irregularities detected in the ADEPT-2 study. This highlights the critical importance of rigorous clinical trial management. The postponement could influence stakeholders' confidence in timelines for breakthrough treatments in neuropsychiatric disorders.Richard Pazdur, M.D., is preparing to retire from his leadership role at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. This transition period could have profound implications for how new therapies are evaluated, potentially altering approval processes and timelines. His departure marks a significant shift within an agency renowned for its role in drug approvals and regulatory oversight.On the scientific front, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals has reported promising results from two Phase 3 trials of clascoterone, a topical cream designed to treat male-pattern hair loss. The findings suggest that clascoterone could become a transformative treatment by offering a novel mechanism to address androgenetic alopecia through the inhibition of dihydrotestosterone activity at the follicular level. This development underscores an expanding focus on dermatological conditions within biopharma research and offers new hope to millions affected by hair loss.In legal developments, Daiichi Sankyo's successful appeal in its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) patent dispute with Seagen marks a significant victory with substantial financial implications. The overturning of a $41.8 million verdict illustrates the competitive dynamics in ADC technology, which plays a crucial role in targeted cancer therapies. This case emphasizes the importance of robust intellectual property strategies in maintaining competitive advantages in innovative therapeutic modalities.On the funding front, Excelsior Sciences has secured $95 million to enhance its "smart bloccs" platform for small molecule discovery and production. This investment aims to support advancements in chemical synthesis technologies crucial for accelerating drug development pipelines and fostering collaborations across therapeutics and materials science sectors. Such initiatives underscore the growing emphasis on technological innovation to streamline drug discovery processes.The European Union is making strides toward bolstering supply chain resilience with new regulations aimed at preventing drug shortages. By diversifying local biopharma supply chains and encouraging domestic production, these measures address vulnerabilities exposed by recent global disruptions. This policy shift could lead to more sustainable drug manufacturing practices within Europe, ensuring better preparedness against future crises.Pharvaris has achieved a significant milestone with its Phase 3 trial of deucrictibant meeting primary endpoints. This sets the stage for regulatory filings as a competitor to KalVista Pharmaceuticals' Ekterly in hereditary angioedema treatment. This progress highlights ongoing innovation in addressing rare genetic diseases and fostering competitive therapeutic landscapes.The FDA's approval of Cleveland Diagnostics' IsoPSA test marks a notable advancement in prostate cancer diagnostics. By detecting specific PSA protein variants associated with malignancy risk, IsoPSA represents a step forward in precision medicine. It offers enhanced diagnostic accuracy and potentially improves patient outcomes through early intervention strategies.Overall, these developments reflect the dynamic nature of the pharmacSupport the show
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC/AAPA information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/UAD865. CME/MOC/AAPA credit will be available until November 20, 2026.Harnessing the Power of ADCs in Gynecologic Cancers: Expert Insights for Practice Integration In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.