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Pfizer will acquire sickle cell pioneer Global Blood Therapeutics, the sickle cell pioneer led by BIO Vice Chair Dr. Ted Love. We have the details, plus a look at how climate change is playing a role in the increase in Lyme disease. (859 words, 4 minutes, 17 seconds) |
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Pfizer to buy Global Blood Therapeutics, a sickle cell startup success story |
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Pfizer is buying Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), a pioneer in treatments for sickle cell disease, in a deal valued at $5.4 billion, the two BIO members announced yesterday.
Breakthrough: GBT’s Oxbryta is the first drug targeting the underlying cause of sickle cell disease, an inherited, lifelong disease that can cause extreme pain and serious complications. The drug received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2019.
And more breakthroughs are coming: In June, the FDA gave both orphan drug and rare disease designation to the company’s inclacumab and GBT021601, new sickle cell drugs undergoing clinical trials.
Why it matters: With a disproportionate impact on Black and African Americans, “sickle cell disease epitomizes healthcare inequity,” GBT CEO Dr. Ted Love, one of few Black CEOs in the industry, previously told BIO. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to work on this problem.”
Biotech at its best: Dr. Love, who is the Vice Chair of BIO’s Board, was a top executive at Genentech before guiding successful development of smaller drug makers and eventually joining the sickle cell startup.
What GBT’s saying: “Today is an exciting milestone that accelerates GBT’s mission to discover, develop and deliver life-changing treatments that provide hope to underserved patient communities,” said Dr. Love.
What Pfizer’s saying: “The deep market knowledge and scientific and clinical capabilities we have built over three decades in rare hematology will enable us to accelerate innovation for the sickle cell disease community,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
The context: Global Blood Therapeutics exemplifies the kind of startup growth that drives biotech innovation, and Pfizer’s latest investment is part of a strategy to drive growth through diverse, high-potential therapies, the firm told Reuters. But this is also what’s endangered by the drug price controls that passed the Senate Sunday and are expected to pass the House later this week.
Listen: GBT’s Dr. Ted Love joined the I am BIO Podcast to discuss his company’s work to bring breakthrough therapeutics to patients living with sickle cell disease—listen here.
More Reading: Black History and Biotechnology: A Conversation with Dr. Ted Love
More Health Care News:
Financial Times: Pfizer and BioNTech to start clinical trial of vaccine targeting Omicron variants
"BioNTech and Pfizer will start a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine adapted to the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron this month, as the German biotech forecasts an increase in demand at the end of the year."
Correction: Our story yesterday on the drug price controls passed by the Senate stated “45% of the drugs covered under Medicare Part B and D are likely to be included in the 100 drugs regulated between 2026-2031.” The study cited actually says that drugs “likely to be selected for government negotiation from 2026-2031 represent almost half (45%) of all Part B and D drug spending in 2020.” (Either way, drug price controls will be harmful.)
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Lyme disease is on the rise – here’s how biotech can help |
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Climate change is driving up the incidence of Lyme disease in the United States, with infections in rural areas increasing 357% between 2007 and 2021, according to FAIR Health. Biotech can address underlying causes.
What is Lyme disease? Caused by a bacterium transmitted through tick bites, Lyme disease induces fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Treated with antibiotics, Lyme disease is easier to handle if caught early, but can be difficult to diagnose.
What’s the weather got to do with it? Climate change exacerbates the spread of Lyme disease, as short winters and hot summers are good for ticks and other disease-carrying pests, says the CDC.
Biotech can help repel ticks. BIO member Evolva is developing a more people-friendly bug repellent from nootkatone, an FDA-approved ingredient found naturally in grapefruit skin and Alaska yellow cedar trees. Not only does nootkatone smell better than chemical repellents, it’s also safe if ingested, The New York Times reported.
Biotech can also help control tick populations. Researchers at University of Nebraska are using gene editing in ticks that can limit the growth of tick populations, or develop a vaccine or drugs to treat Lyme disease.
In another genetic approach, scientists are looking to edit the genes of certain mice that have immunity to Lyme disease so they can pass on the immunity to their young, as we've reported. Researchers hope that increasing the population of immune mice could reduce the disease among ticks.
In the long term: We need to address climate change—and biotech is helping there, too, as BIO outlined in its “Biotech Solutions for Climate Change” report. Biotech solutions include carbon sequestration and sustainable aviation fuels. Read more on Bio.News. |
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President Biden’s Tuesday: At 10 AM ET, he’ll deliver remarks and sign the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which the White House says will strengthen American manufacturing and supply chains and invest in R&D, science, and technology, with the goal of promoting American competitiveness and countering China. At 2 PM ET, he’ll deliver remarks and sign the ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s bids to join NATO.
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: It’s technically recess, but the House is expected to reconvene Friday to take up (and likely pass) the Senate’s climate, tax, and drug price controls bill, reports POLITICO. |
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