This week in pharma… 23rd December

In this week’s news, HighTide Therapeutics and Quotient Sciences announce an agreement to conduct a 14C human ADME program for HTD1801, Amgen to buy Horizon Therapeutics, and more.

HighTide Therapeutics and Quotient Sciences announce an agreement to conduct a 14C human ADME program for HTD1801. The agreement will see Quotient Sciences perform a 14C human absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) study for HighTide’s lead drug candidate, HTD1801, to generate data to support HTD1801’s clinical development.

Bioanalytical needs and biosimilars: How does the molecule compare? 

To successfully deliver a new biosimilar product to the market, developers must ensure that their product is demonstrably like the innovator product, requiring both pharmacokinetic (PK) and immunogenicity comparability studies. 

Amgen to buy Horizon Therapeutics in year’s biggest biotech deal. The company agreed to a deal that values the Ireland-based maker of rare and inflammatory disease drugs at about $28 billion.

A new invention birthed from a collaboration between two bioengineers makes antibiotics more precise and persistent in the body. Rather than a passive dose of antibiotics, the bioengineers attached the drugs to “microrobots” made of algae.

With a mild US recession predicted for 2023, funding difficulties for small-mid-sized biotechs could be on the horizon. However, it could also encourage a wave of innovation and more collaborations with larger players in the sector. Last week, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the seventh time this year in a continuing bid to stave off worries of a recession.

Also in the news

A receptor found on gut cells is present in immune cells, too, opening the door to new approaches to treat IBD. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown link between a “master regulator” of gut processes and inflammatory molecules involved in IBD—and have a drug that could treat it.

CDMO trends

The global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) outsourcing market size is estimated to increase by USD 84.14 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market’s growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 12.76%. 

Tokyo & Saitama, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Bushu Pharmaceuticals Ltd. announced the signing of definitive agreements under which KKR will acquire all shares in Bushu Pharma from BPEA EQT.