4
Jan
2024
MOMA Gets Roche Deal, $66M Upfront, to Discover Novel Small Molecule Cancer Drugs
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2
Jan
2024
Rebooting AI in Drug Discovery on the Slope of Enlightenment
The past few years have seen a wave of AI investment in drug discovery in both large pharma companies and in venture-backed biotech startups. Expectations are running high. Management teams are betting that even marginal improvements on the ~90% failure rate of clinical trials will be worth the investment. While there have been hints of improved R&D metrics in... Read More
27
Dec
2023
Give to the Next Generation of Scientists
This is the time of year when many people sit down and think about the causes they want to support. I’m asking you to consider donating today to young scientists through the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Why Young Scientists? Our system for funding science doesn’t do enough to support young people. The average age of a first-time NIH grant... Read More
26
Dec
2023
Bispecific Antibodies for Cancer: Shelley Force Aldred and Nathan Trinklein on The Long Run
Today, I have a dynamic duo of scientific entrepreneurs on the show – Shelley Force Aldred and Nathan Trinklein. They are the co-founders of San Francisco-based Rondo Therapeutics. The company raised $67 million in a Series A financing announced in March 2022. Shelley is the CEO and Nathan is the chief scientific officer. Rondo is developing bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies... Read More
21
Dec
2023
The Cultures of Large and Small Pharmas, plus: Can They Overcome The “Productivity Paradox” and Seize the AI Moment?
Spurred by several questions I’ve received from students and trainees, today’s year-end column examines some of the ways large biopharma companies are fundamentally different from small biotech companies and startups. We’ll also ask whether biopharma can overcome new technology’s dreaded “productivity paradox” and learn, quickly, how to apply AI to accelerate drug development. Large Pharmas vs Smaller Companies (Including Startups)... Read More
14
Dec
2023
Pfizer Closes Seagen, a Historic CRISPR Approval, & FTC Takes Shot at Sanofi
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13
Dec
2023
The Small Molecule Drug Discovery Renaissance: Jeff Jonker on The Long Run
Today’s guest is on The Long Run is Jeff Jonker. He’s the CEO of San Diego-based Belharra Therapeutics. It’s a startup that came out of stealth mode in January 2023 with a $50 million Series A financing from Versant Ventures, and a partnership with Genentech. I wrote about it at the time on TimmermanReport.com and am providing a link for... Read More
11
Dec
2023
11 Strategies for Motivating and Holding a Biotech Team Together for a Long Time
[This is an excerpt from The Biotech Leader’s Handbook by Angelos Georgakis.–LT.] The founder of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Joshua Boger, once said, “Drug discovery is an insanely complicated activity; what makes a great leader in our industry is the ability to hold a team together for a very long time.” So, how can a leader in our industry hold a team... Read More
7
Dec
2023
AbbVie Buys Cerevel, Roche Buys Carmot, & Crowley Steps Into the Lion’s Den
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7
Dec
2023
Third Rock Joins F-Prime, Omega in $90M Round for ARTBIO’s Targeted Radiotherapies
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4
Dec
2023
Join Me and a Terrific Lineup for ‘Bridging the Gap’ Jan. 23 in Cambridge, Mass.
I’m excited to announce “Bridging the Gap.” It’s an event for the biotech innovation community Jan. 23 in Cambridge, Mass. An outstanding group of speakers is coming together to support a new generation of scientists through the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Time: Noon-7 pm Date: Jan. 23 Place: The Engine. 750 Main St., Cambridge, Mass. Tickets are limited. Buy... Read More
30
Nov
2023
ImmunoGen’s Payday, FDA Jolts CAR-T Field, & Another Dupixent Win
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29
Nov
2023
The Final Frontier of Brain Science: Nancy Stagliano on The Long Run
Today’s guest on The Long Run is Nancy Stagliano. She’s the CEO of South San Francisco-based Neuron23. The company is privately held and was started in late 2018. The idea, like we’ve seen in oncology, is to develop targeted therapies for molecularly-defined subgroups of patients with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other common neurodegenerative diseases. Nancy is a neuroscientist by training. She... Read More
21
Nov
2023
Nimble Pharmas and Plodding Biotechs: Responses to the IRA Have Flipped the Script
Please subscribe and tell your friends why it’s worthwhile. Quality journalism costs money. When you subscribe to Timmerman Report at $199 per year, you reward quality independent biotech reporting, and encourage more. Subscribe Now Sign in to your account.
19
Nov
2023
Industry Insights: Five Key Figures From The Atlas Annual Review
I’ve always been captivated by and drawn to the intersection of raw emerging science, ambitious determined talent, aggressive capital, and savvy strategy that come together in an often-combustible mix to generate novel therapeutics. At the earliest stage, it’s critical to figure out what you’re going to aim at (the molecular target) and what type of therapeutic you’re going to use... Read More
16
Nov
2023
UK Clears 1st CRISPR Drug, Lilly’s siRNA for CV Disease & Blackstone’s Anti-Clotting Win
Please subscribe and tell your friends why it’s worthwhile. Quality journalism costs money. When you subscribe to Timmerman Report at $199 per year, you reward quality independent biotech reporting, and encourage more. Subscribe Now Sign in to your account.
13
Nov
2023
Leading the Fight Against Infectious Disease: Diana Brainard on The Long Run
Today’s guest is Diana Brainard. She’s the CEO of Waltham, Mass.-based AlloVir. AlloVir is developing off-the-shelf T cell therapies to fight common viruses. The company is developing these T cells, from donors, and modifying them so they can be given to patients with weakened immune systems. The company’s lead T-cell therapy candidate is made to fight six common viruses, including... Read More
9
Nov
2023
Obesity Drug Rivalry Intensifies, Takeda’s Big FDA Week, & Vor Takes on AML
Please subscribe and tell your friends why it’s worthwhile. Quality journalism costs money. When you subscribe to Timmerman Report at $199 per year, you reward quality independent biotech reporting, and encourage more. Subscribe Now Sign in to your account.
9
Nov
2023
Vor Bio Shows CRISPR’d Stem Cell Transplants Take Hold in AML Patients, Enable ADCs
Please subscribe and tell your friends why it’s worthwhile. Quality journalism costs money. When you subscribe to Timmerman Report at $199 per year, you reward quality independent biotech reporting, and encourage more. Subscribe Now Sign in to your account.
8
Nov
2023
Architects and Gardeners, a Captivating Developmental Biology Book, & an Inspiring Immigrant Story
Architects and Gardeners Most leadership offsites I’ve attended have included some flavor of personality assessment – not so much to formally classify us, but rather to make the point that different people have different styles, and to emphasize that you can’t assume everyone you work with approaches the world the same way you do. In this spirit, I wanted to... Read More