Gabrielle Masson

Madison

Senior Editor at Fierce Biotech

Editor @FierceBiotech | As read in Lily Poetry Review & Eunoia Review

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Articles

Vir's 'functional cure' candidate for hepatitis B misses mark in phase 2

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

The investigational combo of Vir’s monoclonal antibody tobevibart and Alnylam-discovered siRNA elebsiran was measured in a phase 2 trial for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Participants received the combo with or without pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα), a medication used to fight off CHB. Patients were placed into one of 13 specific cohorts, according to ClinicalTrials.gov.
Vertex pauses Moderna-partnered cystic fibrosis trial, takes $379M hit tied to separate program

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is pressing pause on a phase 1/2 cystic fibrosis (CF) trial over a tolerability issue, while reporting a separate impairment charge of $379 million tied to an earlier discontinuation. The clinical pause is “temporary” and applies to a multiple ascending dose portion of a trial assessing VX-522, a Moderna-partnered mRNA therapy, according to Vertex’s May 5 earnings release.
250 more NIH workers laid off, including cuts at the National Cancer Institute

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has laid off 250 more employees, with this round of cuts hitting 50 workers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
19 states sue to block HHS reorganization, claiming overhaul is unconstitutional

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a new lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in hopes of preventing the dismantling of the agency. The states argue that the recent restructurings and mass layoffs are unconstitutional and illegal, according to court documents filed May 5 in Rhode Island U.S. district court. “In its first three months, this administration systematically deprived HHS of the resources necessary to do its job,” reads the complaint.
Deerfield unveils $600M for emerging healthcare therapeutics and tech

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

Deerfield Management has unveiled the third installment of its healthcare innovations fund, earmarking more than $600 million for promising therapeutics and technologies. The funds will also go toward efforts to improve healthcare delivery models, according to a May 5 release. In 2015, the life sciences investor launched the first iteration of the fund, raising $550 million for scientific advancements that could lead to new therapeutics in genetic diseases, cancer and orphan diseases.
Trump plans $18B NIH budget cut, wants 27 centers consolidated into 5

1 week ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget for 2026 slashes funds for the National Institutes of Health by $17.97 billion. The 2026 blueprint was shared on Friday and allows the NIH to retain $27 billion for research purposes, according to the document, which claims that the organization has “grown too big and unfocused.” This leaves about $3.5 billion unaccounted for when subtracting $17.97 billion from 2025's NIH budget of $48.5 billion.
FDA frees Amgen's phase 1 obesity asset from clinical trial hold

2 weeks ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

The FDA has freed Amgen’s mysterious early-stage obesity asset from a clinical hold, with the phase 1 study now enrolling participants. The historically tight-lipped Amgen execs remain judicious with what they share, providing few details regarding the matter on a May 1 earnings call. The candidate in question, dubbed AMG 513, was hit with an FDA hold reported at the beginning of February.
Scholar Rock rocks the boat with new execs-Chutes & Ladders

2 weeks ago | fiercebiotech.com | Darren Incorvaia |Zoey Becker |Gabrielle Masson

Welcome to this week's Chutes & Ladders, our roundup of significant leadership hirings, firings and retirings across the industry. Please send the good word—or the bad—from your shop to Darren Incorvaia or Zoey Becker and it will be featured here at the end of each week. Scholar Rock rocks the boat with new execsScholar Rock is shaking up its executive team as it prepares to enter the commercial arena with the expected launch of spinal muscular atrophy drug apitegromab later this year.
Concentra acquires struggling small molecule biotech Kronos

2 weeks ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

With the walls quickly closing in, Kronos Bio has accepted a buyout from notorious biotech acquirer Concentra Biosciences. Tang Capital Partners’ Concentra inked a definitive deal to acquire Kronos’ common stock for a bargain price of 57 cents per share, 35% below the biotech's closing price of 89 cents on Wednesday. The deal further includes a contingent value right, allowing Kronos investors to receive additional proceeds based on a range of possible outcomes for the company's assets.
HHS unveils $500M universal vaccine initiative

2 weeks ago | fiercebiotech.com | Gabrielle Masson

The U.S. government is putting down $500 million toward the development of a “universal” vaccine—a shot designed to protect against multiple strains of a pandemic-prone virus at once. The concept is one scientists have chased for decades to no avail and represents a shift away from the government prioritizing next-gen COVID-19 vaccines.