Category Archives: Pharma & Biotech

Pharma & Biotech Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

Roche Announces Retirement of pRED Head Hans Clevers and Communications Leader Barbara Schädler

(IN BRIEF) Roche has revealed that Dr. Hans Clevers, Head of Pharma Research and Early Development and board member since 2019, will retire from his pRED role at the end of August, though he will continue leading the Institute of … Read the full press release

FDA Grants Orphan Status to Sanofi’s Riliprubart for Preventing and Treating Transplant Rejection

(IN BRIEF) The FDA has awarded orphan drug designation to Sanofi’s riliprubart for the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection in solid organ transplants, highlighting the therapy’s potential in an area lacking approved options. Riliprubart, a humanized IgG4 antibody targeting activated C1s … Read the full press release

Roche Reports Zero Treatment-Requiring Bleeds with NXT007 in Phase I/II Haemophilia A Study

(IN BRIEF) Roche presented positive phase I/II data for NXT007, its Chugai-engineered bispecific antibody for haemophilia A, at the 2025 ISTH Congress. In the NXTAGE study’s highest-dose cohorts (B-3 and B-4), none of the 30 participants experienced bleeds requiring treatment, … Read the full press release

GSK Submits Linerixibat for European Approval to Treat Debilitating PBC Pruritus

(IN BRIEF) GSK’s marketing authorisation application for linerixibat, an investigational ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, has been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency. The submission is supported by GLISTEN Phase III trial data showing that linerixibat rapidly and … Read the full press release

EMA Committee Recommends Approval of Sarclisa-VRd Induction in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Eligible for Transplant

(IN BRIEF) The CHMP has recommended EU approval of Sarclisa alongside VRd for transplant-eligible NDMM, based on GMMG-HD7 trial results showing superior MRD negativity and PFS compared to VRd alone. This potential label extension would mark Sarclisa’s fourth EU approval … Read the full press release

Neoclease Wins Merck’s 2025 Biotech Grant for AI-Powered Gene Therapies Targeting Parkinson’s and Genetic Disorders

(IN BRIEF) Merck has awarded its 2025 North American Advance Biotech Grant to Neoclease, a Boston-based startup developing AI-designed gene-editing therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other monogenic disorders. Neoclease will benefit from Merck’s technologies, contract testing, regulatory guidance, and hands-on … Read the full press release

University of Copenhagen Develops CRISPR-Based Method to Identify Hereditary Cancer Risk Before Symptoms Appear

(IN BRIEF) The University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with Rigshospitalet, has introduced a clinically validated gene-editing method to identify harmful inherited mutations that raise cancer risk. Developed at the university’s Biotech Research and Innovation Center, the CRISPR-Select technique allows scientists … Read the full press release

BioNTech to Acquire CureVac in $1.25 Billion All-Stock Deal, Boosting mRNA Oncology Portfolio

(IN BRIEF) BioNTech agreed to buy CureVac in an all-stock deal valuing CureVac at ~$1.25 billion, exchanging each share for $5.46 in BioNTech ADSs—a 55% premium to its recent stock price. The merger, expected to close in 2025, strengthens BioNTech’s … Read the full press release

SCHOTT Pharma Extends CEO Andreas Reisse’s Tenure to 2026 While Appointing Reinhard Mayer as CFO

(IN BRIEF) SCHOTT Pharma’s Supervisory Board has prolonged CEO Andreas Reisse’s mandate until April 2026, reflecting his pivotal role in driving the company’s emergence as a world-leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical containment and delivery systems. CFO Dr. Almuth Steinkühler will step … Read the full press release

New Digital Stethoscope Solution from Boehringer and Eko Enhances Early Detection of Canine Heart Disease

(IN BRIEF) Boehringer Ingelheim and Eko Health have partnered to launch a canine-specific heart murmur detection solution in 2026. Leveraging Boehringer’s veterinary cardiology insights and proprietary algorithm alongside Eko’s AI-enabled digital stethoscopes and mobile app, the tool will help veterinarians … Read the full press release

EQT Leads Investment in Mosanna to Advance Nasal Spray Therapy for Sleep Apnea Patients

(IN BRIEF) EQT Life Sciences has led a Series A investment in Mosanna Therapeutics to advance its lead drug candidate, MOS118—a nasal spray designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea—into Phase 2 trials. Co-investors include Pivotal bioVenture Partners, Forbion, Norwest, and … Read the full press release

Sanofi Begins Early Global Distribution of Beyfortus to Strengthen RSV Protection for 2025–2026 Season

(IN BRIEF) Sanofi has launched early global shipments of Beyfortus (nirsevimab) in anticipation of the 2025–2026 RSV season, enabling healthcare providers to begin immunizations well before the typical onset of infections in November. In collaboration with AstraZeneca, Sanofi has significantly … Read the full press release

AstraZeneca’s Calquence Combination Therapy Approved for Untreated CLL in Europe Following Positive AMPLIFY Phase III Results

(IN BRIEF) AstraZeneca’s Calquence, in combination with venetoclax, with or without obinutuzumab, has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The approval follows the positive results from the … Read the full press release

SCHOTT Pharma Expands Capacity with New RTU Cartridge Facility in Hungary

(IN BRIEF) SCHOTT Pharma has begun construction on a new production facility for ready-to-use (RTU) cartridges at its Lukácsháza site in Hungary. The investment of over 100 million euros will expand the company’s manufacturing capacity to meet increasing demand for … Read the full press release

Brenntag Expands Biopharma Capabilities in EMEA with Acquisition of mcePharma

(IN BRIEF) Brenntag has acquired mcePharma a.s. in the Czech Republic to expand its capabilities in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical value chain across EMEA. This acquisition strengthens Brenntag’s GMP services, including biobuffers and liquid blending, to meet growing demand in … Read the full press release

European Commission Approves New Evrysdi Tablet, Offering Enhanced Flexibility for SMA Treatment

(IN BRIEF) Roche announced the European Commission’s approval of a label extension for Evrysdi® (risdiplam) to include a new 5mg tablet, offering a room-temperature stable alternative to the original oral solution for individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The tablet, … Read the full press release

EIB and Leyden Labs Secure €20 Million Financing to Advance Pandemic Preparedness with Innovative Nasal Spray

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €20 million financing deal with Leyden Laboratories to support the development of its innovative pan-influenza nasal spray, which aims to protect against seasonal and pandemic viral infections. The funding, guaranteed … Read the full press release

Sanofi’s Rilzabrutinib Granted Fourth Orphan Drug Designation, Now Targeting Sickle Cell Disease

(IN BRIEF) Rilzabrutinib, an oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. FDA for sickle cell disease. This marks the fourth such designation for the drug, which has already been recognized for its potential … Read the full press release

Novartis Announces Positive Interim Results for Pluvicto™ in Early-Stage Prostate Cancer, Meeting Primary Endpoint in Phase III PSMAddition Trial

(IN BRIEF) Novartis has announced that its Phase III PSMAddition trial of Pluvicto™ in combination with standard of care (SoC) has met its primary endpoint, showing a significant benefit in radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and a positive trend in overall … Read the full press release

Novartis Presents ASCO Data Showing Kisqali’s Efficacy and Tolerability in High-Risk Early Breast Cancer Patients

(IN BRIEF) Novartis has presented new data from the Phase III NATALEE trial at ASCO 2025, showcasing Kisqali’s ability to reduce the risk of recurrence in pre-menopausal patients with high-risk early breast cancer. The data reveals a 33% reduction in … Read the full press release