Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. We can tell by the number of dispatches being filed from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, which we are helping folks track (look here). As for us, we are currently quaffing another cup of stimulation — our choice today is maple bourbon — and foraging for interesting developments. On that note, we proudly present the latest menu of tidbits to help you on your journey, which we hope will be meaningful and productive, and maybe even exciting. Meanwhile, do keep in touch. We are always interested in tips and leaks. …
GSK will purchase the asthma-focused drug developer Aiolos Bio for $1 billion upfront, the latest in a string of pharma acquisitions that are bolstering hopes for the industry’s year ahead, STAT writes. The deal includes up to another $400 million in payments if certain milestones are met. Founded in 2023, Aiolos is focused on developing therapies for respiratory and inflammatory conditions. It is currently developing ‘AIO-001’, a treatment for asthma that is ready to enter mid-stage clinical trials. GSK framed the purchase as a boost to its group of respiratory medicines. The company has seen a successful launch of its RSV vaccine, which was approved last year.
Novartis is close to clinching an acquisition of Cytokinetics and its promising heart drug, The Wall Street Journal reports. A deal could be completed as soon as this week, although it is possible another suitor could emerge and there also might be no deal at all. Cytokinetics is focused on so-called muscle activators and inhibitors as potential treatments for people with debilitating diseases in which muscle performance is compromised. Last month, the company released successful data for its experimental heart drug that treats hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common genetic heart disease, which can lead to blood clots, strokes and, in rare cases, death.