Katherine Davis

Chicago

Biotech Deals Reporter, Axios Pro at Axios

Journalist 🖋 | Covering health care & life sciences @CrainsChicago

Articles

AbbVie's Botox operations may be impacted by tariffs

20 hours ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

America's tariff war could threaten sales of AbbVie's Botox products, much of which are made overseas in Ireland. Why it matters: Several Big Pharma giants have announced multibillion-dollar U.S. investments to offset tariff costs, but AbbVie has yet to join the chorus. What they're saying: "If I just compare it to the other big biopharma names I cover, they do look generally more exposed because of Botox," Morningstar director Karen Andersen tells Axios.
Biotech startup Repertoire Immune Medicines lands $765M Genetech deal

1 day ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

Repertoire Immune Medicines landed a licensing deal with Roche-owned Genetech worth up to $765 million to develop an autoimmune treatment. Why it matters: Boston-based Repertoire isn't done fundraising, with additional partnerships or an IPO on its road map, CEO Torben Straight Nissen tells Axios. What they're saying: "The dynamic in the current market will determine the timing of those and we're kind of in a wait-and-see position at this point," Nissen says.
Two Emory College juniors win elite Goldwater Scholarship

2 days ago | news.emory.edu | April Hunt |Katherine Davis

Two exceptional juniors in Emory College of Arts and Sciences have won the 2025 Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s top scholarship for undergraduates studying math, natural sciences and engineering. The Goldwater Foundation selected Madeline Garcia and Zachary Paikin for the distinction, which comes with $7,500 a year toward the cost of their undergraduate degrees, from more than 5,000 outstanding applicants nationwide.
Biolinq raises $100m for wearable biosensor development

3 days ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

Biolinq, a company developing a wearable glucose monitoring device for Type 2 diabetics, closed a $100 million Series C round led by Alpha Wave Ventures, CEO Rich Yang tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: The financing gives Biolinq a two-year runway to transition from development to commercialization as it awaits FDA approval. What's next: Biolinq will consider another private round or test the public markets to fund manufacturing of its device, once approved, Yang says.
Sanofi signs $1.8B licensing deal to boost autoimmune drug pipeline

1 week ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

French pharmaceutical company Sanofi agreed to pay up to $1.8 billion in an exclusive licensing deal with an under-the-radar biotech Earendil Labs. Why it matters: It's the third autoimmune deal in recent weeks for Sanofi, which is looking to become an immunology powerhouse.
Looming pharma tariffs could threaten biotech dealmaking

1 week ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

Looming pharmaceutical tariffs may temporarily dampen biotech dealmaking, but investors remain bullish on the sector's long-term tailwinds. Driving the news: President Trump on Monday announced a Commerce Department probe into drug imports, just a week after floating "major" pharma tariffs. The investigation — a common precursor to tariffs — includes both branded and generic drugs and their active ingredients.
Attovia Therapeutics raises $90M Series C round to treat autoimmune diseases

1 week ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

Attovia Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharma company developing treatments for autoimmune diseases, closed a $90 million Series C round. Why it matters: The financing, announced today, gives Attovia a "multi-year" runway to further develop its pipeline of five therapeutic candidates. What's next: San Carlos, Calif.-based Attovia, which has raised $255 million to date, doesn't yet have large pharma partners — but CEO Tao Fu tells Axios many have "interest" in its platform and pipeline.
Boston biotech Solu raising $41M Series A

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Katherine Davis

Solu Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech focused on cancer and immunology, is valued at $100 million following its $41 million Series A, CEO Philip Vickers tells Axios exclusively. Why it matters: Solu could start raising a Series B round as early as year-end if the company produces positive clinical data, he says. Zoom in: The Series A funding, which includes new investor Eli Lilly, gives Boston-based Solu two-plus years of runway, Vickers says.
Walgreens settles Illinois Medicaid fraud lawsuit for $5M

1 month ago | chicagobusiness.com | Katherine Davis

Walgreens Boots Alliance will pay $5 million to settle allegations that it violated U.S. and Illinois false claims statutes by improperly billing Medicaid and Medicare. The settlement, disclosed in court filings yesterday, marks the end of the dispute, which began 11 years ago when two whistleblowers claimed Walgreens’ practices violated statutes.
AbbVie accuses oncology partner of stealing trade secrets

1 month ago | chicagobusiness.com | Katherine Davis

Pharmaceutical giant AbbVie has filed a lawsuit against Genmab, claiming the Denmark-based drugmaker, previously a partner in an oncology R&D pact with AbbVie, knowingly participated in the theft of trade secrets. The lawsuit, filed March 21 in Washington Western District Court, accused Genmab of stealing confidential information from AbbVie when it acquired ProfoundBio last year in a $1.8 billion deal that gave it rights to a competitor of AbbVie’s cancer drug Elahere.