Biotech Weekly Brief: June 17–23, 2025
This past week in biotech has been a mix of challenges and exciting advancements. We’ve seen companies adapting to a tough financial climate with some unique strategies, while also celebrating significant progress in gene therapies and precision medicine. It’s a reminder of the dynamic nature of our field.
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Biotech Firms Face Headwinds with Strategic Shifts
The biotechnology sector continues to navigate a challenging financial landscape, leading some companies to implement unusual measures to stay afloat. One Maryland-based cancer company, for example, cut staff salaries by 70% across the board, including executives, to avoid layoffs. Other firms have resorted to CEOs injecting personal funds or even acquiring unrelated businesses to conserve capital. Meanwhile, biopharma layoffs increased by 3% compared to last year, with recent cuts impacting companies like Leap, Prothena, BioNTech’s Maryland facility, and Scorpion Therapeutics, as they streamline operations and re-evaluate pipelines.
Published: June 20, 2025
A waste business buy, slashing salaries for all staff: 4 strange strategies biotechs are using to stay alive -
FDA Greenlights New Gene and Cell Therapies for Clinical Trials
The FDA has given the go-ahead for pivotal clinical trials of two promising gene therapy candidates this week. An investigational new drug (IND) application was cleared for a Phase 2/3 trial of an AAV vector-based gene therapy for Stargardt disease, which previously received rare pediatric disease designation. Additionally, a Phase 1/2 first-in-human trial was cleared for a gene therapy targeting Parkinson’s disease linked to specific genetic mutations. These clearances highlight continued progress in expanding gene therapy applications for various conditions.
Published: June 18, 2025
Around the Helix: Cell and Gene Therapy Company Updates – June 18, 2025 -
First FDA-Approved Treatment for Rare Genetic Disorder AKU
In a significant development for rare disease patients, the FDA this week approved Nitisinone tablets as the first and only treatment for alkaptonuria (AKU) in adults. This approval provides a much-needed therapeutic option for individuals with this debilitating genetic disorder, which previously lacked specific approved treatments. Nitisinone works by inhibiting an enzyme that reduces the production of homogentisic acid, the root cause of AKU.
Published: June 19, 2025
Midyear Roundup: FDA’s Novel Oncology Drug Approvals in 2025 -
BostonGene Validates Integrated Genomic Assays for Precision Oncology
A recent study by BostonGene has provided a clinically validated framework for incorporating RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and whole exome sequencing (WES) into precision oncology. Their Tumor Portrait™ assay has met rigorous clinical and regulatory standards, including CLIA, CAP, and NYSDOH. This validation is a crucial step in translating complex genomic data into actionable diagnostic tools, enabling more comprehensive tumor profiling to guide personalized cancer treatment decisions.
Published: June 20, 2025
Research Communities by Springer Nature https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392735060_Clinical_and_analytical_validation_of_a_combined_RNA_and_DNA_exome_assay_across_a_large_tumor_cohort -
AI Accelerates Antiviral Drug Discovery
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape of antiviral drug discovery. New research highlights how AI is dramatically speeding up the identification, optimization, and repurposing of therapeutic compounds. This innovative approach promises to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of developing new treatments against viral infections, potentially shortening the time it takes to bring life-saving drugs to patients.
Published: June 23, 2025
AI in antiviral drug discovery | Research Communities by Springer Nature
Tools & Tips
- Latent Labs – AI for Generative Biology Latent Labs is at the forefront of generative AI, offering a platform that revolutionizes drug discovery by enabling the creation of synthetic proteins. This tool allows researchers to computationally design new therapeutic molecules, like antibodies, and optimize existing enzymes, accelerating the development of novel treatments.
https://www.latentlabs.com/
Fun Fact
Did you know that before biotechnology, insulin for diabetes patients was extracted from animal sources? Thanks to genetic engineering, scientists in 1978 figured out how to use genetically modified
E. coli bacteria to produce human insulin. This breakthrough led to the first FDA-approved genetically engineered drug in 1982, making insulin safer, more efficient, and widely available, fundamentally changing diabetes care!
The History of a Wonderful Thing We Call Insulin | American Diabetes Association
We’d love to hear from you! Have you participated in any Biotech events or utilized new Biotech tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.