The FDA is currently reviewing Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ povetacicept, with a target action date of Nov. 30. If approved, the drug could benefit from campaigns from Novartis and Vera Therapeutics for their recently approved IgAN therapies Fabhalta and Trutakna.

Original title: “Vertex’s IgA nephropathy drug derisked after Novartis, Vera approvals”

Combined company to advance biologics for immunologically‑driven disorders

Original title: “Jasper Therapeutics merges with Kira Pharmaceuticals”

Poised to become the first company to achieve a regulatory filing for a cell therapy in autoimmune disease, Kyverna Therapeutics is building a pipeline-in-a-product to change the treatment paradigm.

Original title: “How Kyverna rode CAR T’s autoimmune wave to the FDA’s door”

Structural gaps in areas including clinical execution and funding limit India’s ability to scale up innovation, according to a report from Boston Consulting Group and HealthKois.

Original title: “India’s life sciences sector at turning point for innovation: Report”

The new lawsuits add to a web of legal disputes over technology involved in COVID vaccines. Elsewhere, a prolific AI biotech inked another deal and Insmed strengthened support for a closely watched blood pressure drug.

Original title: “Arbutus, Sanofi escalate mRNA patent fights; InnoCare’s TYK2 contender advances”

Despite an FDA crackdown, numerous pharma lawsuits and possible safety risks, nearly 1 in 5 patients are still taking cheaper weight-loss alternatives.

Original title: “Compounders maintain a firm grip on the GLP-1 market”

Some of the industry’s most closely-watched AI drugs could provide insight into the success of technology-assisted development.

Original title: “How well are AI-discovered drugs faring in the clinic?”

The latest in a prolific streak of buyouts by Lilly is the strongest sign yet that large pharmaceutical companies may finally be embracing a long-dismissed field of research.

Original title: “Lilly to buy AtaiBeckley for $2.8B, further validating psychedelics”

Braveheart Bio is looking to take on Bristol Myers Squibb in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, while Attovia Therapeutics wants to challenge Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent. Vogenx, meanwhile, is looking to establish its name in the cardiometabolic space.

Original title: “Braveheart, Attovia, Vogenx keep IPOs ballooning with plans to compete in cardiometabolic, immuno”

Latus Bio has appointed Bethany Mancilla as Chief Business Officer

Original title: “Bethany Mancilla”

Partnership to support first‑in‑human trial of EPY201 in epilepsy

Original title: “EpilepsyGTx and ClearPoint Neuro join forces on targeted therapy”

Psychedelics, chiefly Compass Pathways' COMP360, are unlikely to make an immediate dent in the sales of Johnson & Johnson’s depression drug Spravato, H.C. Wainwright’s Patrick Trucchio told BioSpace.

Original title: “J&J sees Spravato sales surge as psychedelic competitors loom”

Takeda’s cuts will go the deepest, affecting over 4,700 employees. Layoffs tied to M&A activity include BioNTech letting go of around 800 people at CureVac.

Original title: “Spurred by deep cuts and M&A activity, H1 layoffs could oust 14,000+ in biopharma”