Despite challenging interest rates and regulatory environment, pharma M&A activity surged in 2023 with deal volume up more than 30% from the prior year based on a review of more than 200 acquisitions since 2018. The total disclosed deal value in 2023 also more than doubled the prior year’s tally to surpass $100 billion. While…
Details emerge from incident that led Seagen’s CEO to take a leave of absence
Seagen (Nasdaq:SGEN) has tapped a law firm to lead an investigation into its CEO Clay Siegall, who was charged with misdemeanor assault against his wife on April 23. Siegall maintains his innocence. A police report related to the incident reported that Siegall’s wife called 911 after he allegedly forced her to the ground. Siegall was…
Tivdak from Genmab and Seagen wins accelerated approval for metastatic cervical cancer indication
The FDA has granted accelerated approval to the first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) from Genmab and Seagen to treat adults with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Specifically, the approval covers cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy. The drug targets protein tissue factor (TF), which is abnormally expressed in cervical cancer. Historically, physicians…
Caribou Biosciences adds Nancy Whiting to its board of directors
CRISPR genome-editing biopharma firm Caribou Biosciences (NSDQ:CRBU) has appointed Nancy Whiting to its board of directors. Whiting had previously worked at Seagen (formerly known as Seattle Genetics) for 14 years and had three years of experience at GSK. At Seagen, she was involved in the development of several drugs, including Adcetris, Padcev, Tukysa, tisotumab vedotin…
34 of the most innovative pharmaceutical products
The Galien Foundation has revealed its latest nominees for the 2021 Prix Galien USA Award highlighting innovations in biotechnology, pharmaceutical agents, medical technology and digital health products. Entrants to the competition must have received FDA approval within the past five years and demonstrate exceptional therapeutic potential. The Galien Foundation does not use financial data to…
Tukysa effective against HER2-positive breast cancer
Tukysa from Seagen won FDA approval for HER2-positive breast cancer in conjunction with chemotherapy (trastuzumab and capecitabine) to treat advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. The indication covers patients with brain metastases who previously received anti-HER2-based therapies for metastatic cancer.