Healthcare & Life Sciences News & Trends: Nov Week 4

1. Markets

Hong Kong’s New Clinical Trial Institute to Boost Cross-Border R&D

Hong Kong launched its first clinical trial institute in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. The government-led facility, operated by the University of Hong Kong, aims to streamline clinical trials with a robust infrastructure, including a biobank that can store over 400,000 biological samples.

Takeaway: The move is part of its strategy to establish itself as a leading medical hub with its own drug approval authority. This initiative is expected to bolster cross-border R&D in the Greater Bay Area, attract multinational pharmaceutical companies, and enhance collaboration between Hong Kong’s public and private healthcare sectors. The move aligns with Beijing’s vision for the Greater Bay Area as a global innovation and business hub.

2. Business Moves

i. Novartis Buys Muscular Dystrophy Biotech for $1.1b

Novartis acquired Kate Therapeutics for $1.1 billion. Kate Therapeutics is a gene therapy biotech focused on muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Takeaway: This acquisition reflects Novartis’ interest in leveraging Kate’s unique gene delivery platform, which targets muscle and cardiac tissues while avoiding the liver and addressing challenges in neuromuscular diseases. It complements Novartis’ broader strategy in gene therapy and allows it to build on its success with Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy. The move also enables it to advance treatments for other complex neuromuscular conditions.

ii. Former FDA Leader Starts $70m Biotech Fund

Jupiter Bioventures launched with a $70 million fund aimed at supporting biotech startups focused on cancer therapeutics and disease areas that benefit from cancer biology insights. The fund will invest in eight to 10 companies, which are referred to as “moons.” The venture was founded by biotech entrepreneurs Nathaniel David, Ph.D., and Norman Sharpless, M.D., with backing from investors including the Mayo Clinic, Alexandria Venture Investments, and Bioventure Partners. Jupiter’s approach focuses on minimising risk by validating the science early, allowing them to identify promising projects and invest further to help these startups reach proof-of-concept clinical trials. Their goal is to deliver high returns by nurturing high-value biotechs with strong science.

3. People Moves

Pfizer: Pfizer Inc. made three senior-level appointments.

• Dr Chris Boshoff was named the new Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research & Development, effective January 1, 2025. Dr Boshoff, who has been with Pfizer for over a decade, played a key role in the approval of 24 medicines. He will take over from Dr Mikael Dolsten as part of Pfizer’s strategy to strengthen its R&D capabilities. Dr Boshoff’s leadership will focus on advancing treatments for areas with high unmet medical needs.
• Dr Roger Dansey will serve as Interim Chief Oncology Officer while Pfizer searches for a permanent appointee.
• Dr Johanna Bendell will join Pfizer as Chief Development Officer for Oncology from Roche.

Ideaya: Ideaya Biosciences appointed Stu Dorman as its Chief Commercial Officer in anticipation of the commercial launch of its first drug, darovasertib, which targets metastatic uveal melanoma.

• Experience: Dorman brings extensive experience from his time at Gilead Sciences, where he helped launch Trodelvy, and Bristol Myers Squibb, where he led the global commercialisation of Opdivo.

His appointment reflects Ideaya’s strategy to focus on commercial readiness in 2025. The company plans to launch darovasertib with a targeted sales force of around 30 people in the US and a commercial CRO model in Europe. If successful, darovasertib’s launch will kick off a broader commercialisation effort for Ideaya, which has additional programmes in development.

Amgen: Amgen appointed Howard Chang, M.D., Ph.D., a renowned genetics expert, as its new Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Research, effective December 16.

• Experience: Chang, a physician-scientist with significant expertise in cancer and dermatology, joins from Stanford University, where he has led pioneering research in genomic sciences.
• Responsibilities: Chang will oversee Amgen’s research in areas such as oncology, rare diseases, inflammation, and cardiometabolic disorders and manage the company’s global research operations.

His appointment follows the departure of Amgen’s former senior vice president, Ray Deshaies, and the transition of Jay Bradner, M.D., into the role of executive vice president of R&D.

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Image Credits:

• WSJ
• gov.hk
• Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP