Eight Multinational Pharma Companies Ax Over 40 R&D Pipelines in Q1 2024

May 13, 2024 09:26 CST Updated 09:26

Roche

Oncology Drug Research, Development, and Manufacturing

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Biopharmaceutical and Nutritional Product R&D and Sales

Gilead Sciences

Antiviral Drug Developer

Sanofi

Pharmaceutical R&D Developer

AstraZeneca

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer

Pfizer

Pharmaceutical R&D Developer

Johnson & Johnson

Healthcare Product Manufacturers, Health Service Providers

▲May 30-31The 8th Guangzhou Biomedical Innovators Summit
Scan to register immediately

Note: This article does not constitute any investment opinions or recommendations., subject to official/company announcements; this article only introduces drugs related to medical health, not a recommendation of treatment plans (if involved), and does not represent the platform's position. Any article reprint requires authorization.

Facing pressures such as difficulties in new drug development and declining sales performance, pharmaceutical giants have been forced to make decisions on pipeline adjustments and layoffs.Big multinational pharmaceutical companies are quickly cutting their R&D pipelines, focusing on more promising assets to maintain their competitive edge. Let’s take a look at which multinational pharmaceutical companies have cut pipeline projects in the first quarter of 2024.

1. Roche: Cut 6 Pipelines

On April 24, Roche disclosed in its Q1 2024 financial report: Cutting 6 clinical programsThese include camonsertib and belvarafenib for solid tumors; the bispecific antibody RG6286 for colorectal cancer; RG6163 for psychiatric disorders; and the LepB inhibitor RG6319 for urinary tract infections. Most of these are in Phase 1 development.

camonsertibIt is a potential BIC oral ATR inhibitor for the treatment of tumors with specific synthetic lethal genomic alterations, including ATM gene changes. In January this year, the first patient in the Phase II TAPISTRY study received Camonsertib, triggering a $40 million milestone payment. However, the situation took a sudden downturn, and half a month later, Roche suddenly announced that it would terminate the agreement. Roche's reason was: the result of a review of Roche’s pipeline and changing external factors.

belvarafenibBelvarafenib is a selective pan-RAF kinase inhibitor currently in two clinical trials, although patient recruitment has been halted. Even though the project has been removed from the pipeline, the company will continue to provide study treatment and monitor enrolled patients. In 2016, Genentech acquired the drug from South Korea’s Hanmi Pharmaceutical, obtaining global rights outside of South Korea. Hanmi received an $80 million upfront payment and up to $830 million in development, regulatory, and commercialization milestone payments. At the time of the deal, Belvarafenib was in Phase I development.

Bispecific Antibody RG6286Can bind to colorectal cancer antigens LY6G6D and CD3 on T cells. Phase I clinical trials are expected to be completed in early 2026. Genentech began testing this candidate drug (also known as BLYG8824A) in colorectal cancer patients in 2020. In addition,Gave upRG6163 for psychiatric disorders and LepB inhibitor RG6319 for urinary tract infections, and shift to advancing an alternative LepB inhibitor named RG6436.

In this process, the balance of Roche's product pipeline shifted from neuroscience and oncology (to a lesser extent) towards immunology, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease areas. The number of neuroscience projects decreased from 18 to 12, although one project was transferred to another part of the R&D pipeline.

Since the 3rd quarter of 2023, Roche has terminated 20% of its pipeline to focus on high-impact projects. The CEOThomas SchineckerSaid: "Roche aims to make 80% of its product pipeline the best-in-class or first-class assets."Setting priorities and continuously reallocating resources are part of normal business operations, ensuring that its funds are used in the best interests of patients and the company."

2. BMS: Cut 12 Pipelines

On April 25, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) disclosed in its Q1 2024 earnings report: BMS is implementing a comprehensive cost-cutting plan, which is expected to save approximately $1.5 billion by the end of 2025. The majority of these savings will be reinvested to support innovation and drive growth.As part of the plan, approximately 12 projects will be cut from its product line.Including the layoff of approximately 2,200 employees, accounting for about 6% of its global workforce.

Factors considered by BMS when deciding to halt drug development include whether the company believes the data from a project can outperform existing drugs or other drugs in development, whether a project can serve as a potential growth driver, and whether it can become "first-in-class" or "best-in-class."

Some of the experimental drugs involved include anti-CTLA-4 projects, anti-SIRPα antibodies, and BET inhibitors. Research on anti-CTLA-4 and anti-SIRPα may not be able to surpass Yervoy. The reason for the cancellation of the BET inhibitor (BMS-986158) was that although the drug showed promising data, it did not meet the threshold to become a growth driver.

In early trading on Thursday, the company's stock price $BMY fell more than 8%.

According toEndpoints NewsFollowing a review of its Q4 2023 and Q1 2024 reports, Bristol-Myers Squibb has overall removed eight programs from Phase 1 development and six programs from Phase 2 development. The company also added five new programs into Phase 1, while advancing one drug from Phase 1 to Phase 2, and two drugs from Phase 1 directly to Phase 3.Two projects from the recently acquired Karuna and RayzeBio companies have also entered Phase 3 development.

3. Gilead Sciences: Cut 10 Pipeline Projects

April 22,Gilead Sciences Discloses in Its Q1 2024 Earnings Report: 10 Pipelines Cut.

Among them, GileadTerminationTwo Cell Therapy Projects: RespectivelyAutologous Anti-CD19 CAR-T Cell TherapyPhase 2 Trial of Brexucabtagene Autoleucel (ZUMA-25) for the Treatment of Rare B-Cell Malignancies and Phase 1 Trial of CLL-1 (KITE-222) for Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

ExcludedCD47 AntibodymagrolimabCombination Therapy for Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, etc.Solid TumorTheSix studies.On February 7, Gilead Sciences announced the termination of all magrolimab hematological tumor development programs. The removal of these six trials from the pipeline indicates that Gilead Sciences has completely abandoned the development of this drug.

In addition, Gilead Sciences also stoppedIn collaboration with ArcusPD-1 Monoclonal Antibody ZimberelimabUnitedAnti-TIGIT Antibody Domvanalimab ± Chemotherapy for First-LineNon-Small Cell LungCancerThe2 items。

In terms of the R&D product pipeline, Gilead Sciences will continue to build a robust portfolio in the fields of oncology, antiviral, and immune diseases. Currently, Gilead has 54 projects in clinical research stages, along with 10 additional assets available for selection at the clinical stage.

4. Sanofi: Cut 3 Pipelines

April 25, Sanofi disclosed in its Q1 2024 earnings report:Gave up a partImmunology and Neurology Pipeline Indications: Including a Phase 2 study of the CD40L antibody Frexalimab for Sjögren's syndrome in the autoimmune space, a Phase 2 study of the RIPK1 inhibitor Oditrasertib for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and a Phase 2 study of the molecule Venglustat for the treatment of the rare genetic disease GM2 Gangliosidosis.

Frexalimab：Due to the Phase 2 study data not meeting the "required efficacy outcomes," Sanofi has paused the development of the CD40L antibody drug Frexalimab for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome. However, other indications for Frexalimab will not be affected, and the company will continue with the Phase 3 trials for multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), as well as...Type 1 DiabetesAnd Phase 2 trial for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Oditrasertib：Sanofi Stops Phase 2 Study of RIPK1 Inhibitor Oditrasertib for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Due toFailed to reach the primary improvement endpoint based on the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R)Sanofi will share the complete safety and efficacy data at upcoming medical conferences and continue the Phase 2 study of Oditrasertib in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Venglustat：Phase 2 Study of Venglustat for the Treatment of Rare Genetic Disease GM2 GangliosidosisTerminated due to "lack of positive trend" in the clinical endpoint of the trial。

5. AstraZeneca: Cut 7 Pipelines

On April 25, AstraZeneca disclosed in its Q1 2024 earnings report:Will abandon 4 early-stage drugs involving 7 pipelines:

Oral Porcupine Inhibitor AZD5055`, the drug`For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,By AZIn August 2020In$17 Million Upfront, $360 Million in Potential Milestones from Redx PharmaIntroduction: AstraZeneca has currently terminated its program in healthy volunteers due to strategic investment portfolio prioritization.Two itemsPhase I trial;

Antisense Oligonucleotide DrugsAZD7503：Termination of the drug due to strategic portfolio prioritizationFor the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitisTwo itemsPhase 1 trials and testing safety and tolerability in healthy volunteersOne ItemPhase 1 trial;

LOX-1 Targeting Monoclonal AntibodyMEDI6570: This drug is designed to block multiple ligands of the LOX-1 receptor.Due to Strategic Investment PortfolioPriority Order,AstraZeneca Terminates Its OngoingOne ItemA Phase 2b Clinical Trial Named GOLDILOX;

Oral D Factor Inhibitor Vemircopan:Terminate itsFor the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravisOne itemPhase 2 study, its Phase 2 trial for the treatment of lupus nephritis and Phase 1 trial for the treatment of impaired liver function are still ongoing;

6. Novartis: Cut 2 Pipelines

Compared with the previous quarter, Novartis has cut an early-stage asset, the CD73 antagonist NZV930, and a Phase 2 clinical asset.CSF-1R InhibitorBLZ945。

Novartis previously conducted a Phase I/Ib, open-label, multicenter study (NCT03549000) to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary antitumor activity of NZV930 alone or in combination with PDR001 and/or NIR178 in patients with advanced cancer.

For BLZ945, a Phase II trial (NCT04066244) was previously conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and microglial response in ALS patients after multiple doses of BLZ945. Additionally, a Phase I/II study (NCT02829723) assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of oral BLZ945 alone or in combination with intravenous PDR001 in adult patients with advanced solid tumors.

7. Pfizer: Cut 4 Pipelines

On May 1, Pfizer released its Q1 2024 earnings report. In terms of pipeline, the company has halted the development of VTX-801, a recombinant AAV gene therapy for the treatment of Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder. This therapy was co-developed by Pfizer and Vivet Therapeutics. In March 2019, Pfizer acquired a minority stake in Vivet and has been producing the vector for this therapy for Phase 1/2 studies.

In addition, Pfizer has canceled two potential new indications for its ulcerative colitis drug Velsipity (etrasimod) in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, as well as the migraine prevention program for oral Zavzpret (zavegepant). All three studies have entered the second phase.

Overall, Pfizer's R&D pipeline saw a net increase of one project over the past three months, rising from 112 to 113. In addition to the four projects that were cut, Pfizer added or advanced ten projects and received five approvals in the U.S. and EU.

8. Johnson & Johnson: Cut 2 Pipelines

Compared with the pipeline in December 2023, Johnson & Johnson cut two Phase I oncology projects in 2024 Q1: one is JNJ-8114 (PSMA/CD3), and the other is the JNJ-4916 oncolytic virus.

Johnson & Johnson's innovative drug business mainly focuses on six major pipelines: immunomodulation, anti-infection, nervous system, oncology, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cardiovascular.Johnson & Johnson currently has 95 projects in its pipeline, including 23 Phase 1 projects, 20 Phase 2 projects, 39 Phase 3 projects, and 13 projects in the registration stage for market launch.

Summary

In Q1 of 2024 alone, eight major pharmaceutical companies have already cut more than 40 pipelines.The reasons for termination are often due to efficacy data not meeting expectations in clinical trials, or strategic adjustments made in response to market changes.For crossFor Chinese pharmaceutical companies，Accelerate the withdrawal from fields that are not advantageous,The funds saved from the originally planned trial will be used to accelerate the advancement of its first-in-class or best-in-class candidate drugs.An important part of the company's R&D strategy adjustment. However,The disappearance of pipeline projects still wastes a lot of resources and energy, which reminds pharmaceutical companies to pay more attention to risk management and the scientific nature of decision-making in order to reduce the losses caused by cutting pipelines.

References:

Official Websites of Various Companies

Copyright statement: This article is reproduced from Pharma Mastery,Media or individuals who do not wish to be reproduced can contact us, and we will delete it immediately.

Recommended Activities

May • 8th Greater Bay Area Biomedical Innovators Summit

Keywords: Small molecules, XDC, peptides, and GLP-1 hot topics, 80+ industry experts (Click the image below for details)

▼

[About PharmaCircle]

PharmCube PRHub aims to assist biopharmaceutical technology enterprises in brand promotion and business development services. It provides systematic solutions based on clients' real needs, and through "translation-simplification-contextualization," communicates the brand information of clients in a straightforward and understandable manner to the public. At the same time, with access to over 1 million vertical users across various traffic channels, it achieves cooperation objectives and helps partners complete a closed-loop marketing service that starts with branding and ends with business development. We have successfully organized dozens of offline biopharmaceutical R&D conferences with a scale of 1,000 attendees, covering areas such as small-molecule new drugs, large-molecule new drugs, improved new drugs, BD cross-border transactions, and more, serving over a hundred listed/unicorn/biotech/pharmaceutical companies.