The Roundup – February 15, 2024

• A new class of cancer drugs is coming: Pfizer & Arvinas‘ hot pursuit of protein degrader technology
• Branford biopharma firm Azitra looks to raise $5M in public offering
• Cybrexa Therapeutics: New Haven biotech firm regains full rights to cancer drug
• Murphy Highlights Farmington’s LambdaVision As “Innovator Of The Month”
• Marcum LLP announces merger with Powers & Sullivan, expansion of its government practice in New England
• MassBio and Middlesex Gases announce a new 7-year contract, extending their partnership through 2030
• BioXcel Therapeutics receives FDA fast track designation for BXCL701 for treatment of Small Cell Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (SCNC)
• Allied Health Sciences launches hands-on health education program at UConn Waterbury

More Industry News

• How to make New Haven ​“A City Of 150,000 Thriving People”
• Avelo announces 4 new destinations from New Haven, including Atlanta
• Ned Lamont’s state of the state: Steady
• Opinion: Connecticut is open for business. This is how and why.
• F.D.A. Issues First Approval for Mass Drug Imports to States From Canada

There is also a flurry of activity on the federal level. Here is an update from BIO:

Biopharma CEOs at Senate HELP
Last Thursday, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing entitled, “Why Does the United States Pay, by Far, the Highest Prices in the World for Prescription Drugs?” See Good Day BIO for remarks from biopharma CEOs and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).

BIO Member Talks IP on the Hill
Last Wednesday, BIO Board member, Eddie J. Sullivan, co-founder and President of SAB Biotherapeutics testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade during a hearing titled “Advancing America’s Interests at the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Meeting.” Sullivan stated the proposal to waive WTO protection of IP for COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics would not only negatively impact startups like his company, but the entire biotech industry. – See Good Day BIO for a recap.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled, “Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: Promise and Pitfalls.” Chairman Wyden addressed concerns of equality in AI healthcare algorithms. The overall sentiment being, while artificial intelligence has potential to advance healthcare, there needs to be a legislative framework to protect patient privacy without stifling innovation.

ICYMI:

• BIO’s Comments to NIST on March-In RFI: BIO submitted comments to NIST on the Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights.
• House Oversight & Accountability Committee Advances PBM Legislation: H.R 6283, the Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act, was approved by 20-11 during the House Oversight Committee mark-up.
• House Budget Committee Passes Preventative Care Legislation: The House Budget Committee unanimously approved H.R. 766, the Preventative Health Savings Act.
• FDA Modernization Act 3.0 Introduced In The House: FDA Modernization Act 3.0 was introduced by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Vern Buchanan (R-FL).

More News:

• FTC March-In Comments to NIST: Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) submitted their comments to the Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights. – The Bayh-Dole Act is intended to enable innovation, and the “march-in” rights clause cannot be used for price controls, BIO explains in comments to the Biden administration.
• CBO Releases Budget and Economic Outlook 2024 to 2034: This week, CBO released The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2024 to 2034. See their Report and Statement.

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