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What’s in Today’s Brief? (February 26th Preview)
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Novo inks potential $2.1B pact with Vivtex: oral biologics push
Novo Nordisk announced a research-and-license agreement with Vivtex to develop orally delivered peptide and protein therapeutics targeting obesity, diabetes and related metabolic conditions. Vivtex will license select GI-screening and formulation technologies; Novo will take global development, regulatory and commercialization responsibilities. The multi-stage deal includes upfront payments, research funding and up to $2.1 billion in milestones plus tiered royalties. Vivtex, an MIT spinout founded by researchers including Robert Langer and Giovanni Traverso, brings a gut-on-a-chip screening platform that couples gastrointestinal assays with simulation and AI. Novo emphasised the partnership builds on its prior work converting injectable biologics into oral formats and signals an intensified industry push to make high‑value biologics pill‑form. The collaboration was presented by both companies in press briefings and industry coverage at AGBT and other recent conferences. Investors and competitors will watch formulation milestones and early translational data to assess whether Vivtex’s platform overcomes long‑standing GI absorption barriers for large molecules.
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GSK to buy 35Pharma for $950M: HS235 joins pipeline
GSK agreed to acquire 35Pharma for $950 million in cash, obtaining HS235, a protein‑based activin‑signalling inhibitor being positioned for pulmonary hypertension (PH). GSK stated the deal will accelerate development in PAH and PH‑HFpEF and cited preclinical and Phase I signals for hemodynamic and metabolic effects, including fat‑selective weight loss and preservation of lean mass. 35Pharma described HS235’s enhanced selectivity versus BMP ligands and potential to reduce bleeding risks seen with some pathway competitors. The transaction follows GSK’s recent M&A activity to bolster its respiratory, immunology and inflammation portfolio and remains subject to customary regulatory clearances. GSK framed the acquisition as strategic pipeline expansion; 35Pharma management emphasised rapid clinical advancement plans and the potential to start patient studies in PH indications imminently.
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Asahi Kasei pays $920M for Aicuris: bolsters antiviral portfolio
Japanese conglomerate Asahi Kasei agreed an all‑cash acquisition of German antiviral specialist Aicuris for roughly €780 million (about $920 million). The purchase brings marketed product Prevymis (letermovir) and late‑stage candidate pritelivir, alongside antisense program AIC‑468 for BK virus. Asahi Kasei signalled the deal will expand its infectious‑disease offerings for immunocompromised patients and accelerate R&D Aicuris has reported strong sales and clinical progress for its pipeline; the acquisition will close pending regulatory approvals expected in the first half of 2026. Asahi Kasei concurrently announced licensing collaborations to combine internal development capabilities with Alchemedicine’s discovery platform, extending its discovery engine. Company statements and independent coverage noted this move as part of a broader consolidation in antivirals and transplant‑focused therapeutics.
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Ultima launches UG200 series – automation deal with Hamilton
Ultima Genomics unveiled the UG200 sequencing family and Solaris 2.0 workflows, positioning the company for high‑throughput, lower‑cost human genome production. The UG200 line offers flexible wafer configurations and a one‑day library‑to‑data turnaround, with the Ultra model targeting extreme throughput and a priced instrumentation tier for data‑hungry applications. Simultaneously, Ultima struck a workflow automation agreement with Hamilton to automate sample preparation and amplification on Microlab Star platforms, aiming to scale throughput and lab operations for customers adopting UG200 systems. Company press releases and AGBT presentations provided performance and pricing context. Ultima said the combined instrument and automation partnerships are intended to accelerate adoption for population‑scale genomics, clinical monitoring and AI‑driven discovery workflows.
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Roche pegs Axelios at $150 a genome: sequencing price war heats
Roche disclosed more details on its Axelios 1 sequencing platform at AGBT, including a claimed consumable cost equating to $150 per 30X human genome in duplex mode. Roche provided workflow and throughput metrics and said pre‑orders will open after the meeting, with formal launch slated for summer. The company highlighted early use cases in cancer genomics and methylation mapping. Roche’s pricing brings Axelios into direct competition with other new entrants and established players that have recently announced sub‑$200 genome claims; Roche executives framed the list price as reflective of expected real‑world yields. The announcement included instrument list price context and performance claims but industry observers note independent validation and throughput in customers’ hands will determine comparative value.
...and 5 more selected Biotech stories in today’s full edition — or archive.
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