Xilio Therapeutics (formerly Akrevia Therapeutics), a local bioteh developing tumor-selective immuno-oncology (IO) therapies for patients with cancer, has announced the closing of a $100.5 million Series B financing. Proceeds from the financing will be used to progress Xilio’s first two therapeutic candidates, XTX201 (tumor-selective IL-2) and XTX101 (tumor-selective aCTLA4 mAb) through Investigational New Drug (IND) […]

Biogen and California biotech Sangamo Therapeutics have announced a global licensing collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize ST-501 for tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease, ST-502 for synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease, a third undisclosed neuromuscular disease target, and up to nine additional undisclosed neurological disease targets. The companies will leverage Sangamo’s proprietary zinc finger protein (ZFP) technology […]

Bicycle Therapeutics has announced a strategic collaboration agreement with Genentech to discover, develop and commercialize novel immuno-oncology therapies. Bicycle is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in Lexington, MA. By entering into this early discovery collaboration with Genentech, Bicycle will be exploring its technology on a […]

Moderna scientists designed the prophylactic vaccines modality to prevent infectious diseases. More than 1,000 participants have been enrolled in Moderna’s infectious disease vaccine clinical studies under health authorities in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Based on clinical experience across six Phase 1 studies, the Company has designated prophylactic vaccines a core modality and intends to […]

Moderna has released the first batch of mRNA-1273, its vaccine against the novel coronavirus identified as the cause of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Vials of mRNA-1273 have been shipped to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to be used in the planned Phase 1 study in the U.S. mRNA-1273 is an […]

Beam Therapeutics has announced aggregate gross proceeds of $207 million from their initial public offering which closed on February 11. Beam is a biotechnology company developing precision genetic medicines through the use of base editing. According to their website, Beam’s proprietary base editors create precise, predictable and efficient single base changes, at targeted genomic sequences, […]

Merck has announced plans to spin-off products from its women’s health, legacy brands and biosimilars businesses into a new, independent, publicly-traded company (NewCo). Merck will continue to benefit from strong growth across its current key pillars of oncology, vaccines, hospital and animal health, while remaining fully committed to investing in R&D and to driving value […]

Seeking Funding for Your Medical Device Startup? Take Advantage of this Key Opportunity for Medical Device Entrepreneurs Seeking Funding to Pitch to an Experienced Panel. Email your Presentation by Feb 12 Include Name, Title, Company, and Contact Info MDGPitchFest@mdgboston.org Four medical device startup entrepreneurs will present each company’s value propositions and fundraising efforts to an […]

On January 28th, Boston-based Akcea Therapeutics and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Carlsbad, CA,  announced positive Phase 2 study results of an oligonucleotide treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The oligonucleotide, AKCEA-ANGPTL3-LRx, functions by an antisense-mediated reduction of angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) protein in the liver. The antisense oligonucleotide is a […]

Acceleron Pharma has announced that its Phase 2 trial of sotatercept met its primary and key secondary endpoints in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). “We’re thrilled to report such positive topline results…” said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. “PAH is a debilitating disease of high unmet medical need, so we’re […]