With the release of the first-quarter 2024 financial reports, several multinational pharmaceutical companies have disclosed changes in their product pipelines, including updates on terminated research pipelines. By cutting redundant pipelines, these companies can save costs and focus resources on more promising assets, effectively driving corporate restructuring and transformation. This article summarizesNovartis, Roche, BMS, Sanofi, AstraZeneca and GileadPipeline Changes of 6 MNCsSome pharmaceutical companies have collectively cut over 30 pipeline projects.
On April 23, Novartis released its Q1 2024 performance:Revenue of $3.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 39%;Net sales reached $11.8 billion, representing an 11% increase year-over-year.
In the R&D pipeline, a comparison between Novartis' 2024 Q1 and 2023 Q4 financial reports reveals adjustments made to its pipeline.Removed 2 items，Including CD73 monoclonal antibodyNZV930Projects and CSF-1R InhibitorssotuletinibAmong them, NZV930 is NovartisIntroduced from Surface Oncology,Previously, several clinical trials had been terminated.
On April 24, Roche released its Q1 2024 performance:Total revenue of 14.399 billion Swiss francs (15.695 billion US dollars; 1 Swiss franc = 1.09 US dollars), representing a 2% increase at constant exchange rates (CER). Excluding COVID-19 related products, sales grew by 7%.According to the first quarter report,The company cut six projects in the first quarter of this year., includingCamonsertib for Solid TumorsAnd belvarafenib,Bispecific Antibody RG6286 for Colorectal Cancer、RG6163 for psychiatric disorders and LepB inhibitor RG6319 for urinary tract infections, camonsertib andFor the treatment of myasthenia gravis Enspryng。Camonsertib：This 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,2In the TAPISTRY study, the first patient received Camonsertib treatment, triggering a $40 million milestone payment. However, the situation took a sudden turn for the worse, and half a month later, Roche abruptly announced it would terminate the agreement, citing"As a result of the review of Roche's pipeline and the constantly changing external factors."Belvarafenib：A selective pan-RAF kinase inhibitor, currently in two clinical trials, but 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.Camonsertib：The drug isRoche obtained from Repare Therapeutics, but terminated in FebruaryWith their agreement.Enspryng：Roche stated that it will halt the development of the drug after its Phase 3 trial failed to show the expected clinical efficacy.In addition, Roche abandonedBispecific Antibodies for Colorectal CancerRG6286Phase I clinical trial is expected to be completed in early 2026.放弃RG6163 and RG6319, and instead advance an alternative LepB inhibitor named RG6436.In fact,Since the third quarter of 2023, Roche has terminated 20% of its pipeline to focus on high-impact projects. According to CEO Thomas Schinecker, Roche aims to ensure that 80% of its pipeline consists of either best-in-class or first-in-class assets.
On April 25, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced its Q1 2024 financial results:Revenue of $11.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5%;Net loss of $11.9 billion, compared to a net profit of $2.262 billion in the same period last year.At the same time, BMS CEO Christopher Boerner stated in a restructuring announcement: The company plans to cut $1.5 billion in costs by 2025, not only will it lay off 2,200 employees (6% of the global workforce), but it will also reduce 12 R&D pipelines. The saved funds will be used to invest in potential blockbuster products, such as the cell therapy Breyanzi.According to the companyChief Medical Officer Samit Hirawat revealed that, so farBMS has stopped or outsourced the development of 12 projects, including follow-up versions of its immunotherapy Yervoy, SIRPα-targeted drugs, and BET-targeted drugs., and will continue to review its product line for the remainder of this year.
On April 25, Sanofi released its Q1 2024 performance:Revenue of 10.464 billion euros (approximately 11.399 billion US dollars, calculated at the average exchange rate of 1 euro = 1.0894 US dollars in 2024, the same below), representing a year-on-year increase of 6.7% (at constant exchange rates).
According to the first-quarter report, Sanofi has abandoned some indication projects in its immunology and neurology pipelines.Including the Phase 2 study of the CD40L antibody Frexalimab in Sjögren's syndrome,RIPK1 Inhibitor Oditrasertib for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Phase 2 Study、A Phase 2 Study of Venglustat for the Treatment of the Rare Genetic Disease GM2 Gangliosidosis.Frexalimab：Due to unfavorable Phase 2 study data——NotFailing to Achieve "Necessary Therapeutic Outcomes," Sanofi Halts Development of CD40L Antibody Drug Frexalimab for Sjögren's Syndrome.However, other indications for Frexalimab will not be affected. The company continues to conduct Phase 3 trials for multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), as well as Phase 2 trials for Type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus.Oditrasertib：Failed to achieve the primary improvement endpoint based on the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised，Sanofi Stops RIPK1 Inhibitor Oditrasertib for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis（ALS）Phase 2 Study.It alsoIt was stated that the complete safety and efficacy data will be shared at the upcoming medical conference, and the Phase 2 study of Oditrasertib in patients with multiple sclerosis will continue.Venglustat：Due to"Lack of positive trend" in the clinical endpoint of the trial，Sanofi Stops Phase 2 Study of Venglustat Molecule for Treating Rare Genetic Disease GM2 Gangliosidosis。
On April 25, AstraZeneca released its Q1 2024 performance:Total revenue of $12.679 billion, a year-on-year increase of 19%；Product revenue was $12.177 billion, representing an 18% year-over-year increase.According to the first quarter reportIt shows that AstraZeneca will abandon several early-stage drugs, includingMEDI6570、AZD7503（ION455）、AZD5055。MEDI6570：A LOX-1-targeting monoclonal antibody designed to block multiple ligands of the LOX-1 receptor. This asset was undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial named GOLDILOX for the treatment of post-myocardial infarction but was discontinued due to "strategic portfolio prioritization."AZD7503：This pipeline is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide (LICA) drug that AstraZeneca obtained from Ionis, aimed at inhibiting the production of the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) protein, with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) selected as the indication.AZD5055：Is aOral Porcupine Inhibitor，Phase 1 trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are underway.In fact, the drug was developed by Redx and AstraZeneca in August 2020.The product of a $370 million deal is now considered returned by AstraZeneca. The drug's mechanism targets porcupine (a component enzyme of the Wnt pathway, which is often associated with injury repair) to treat fibrotic diseases.
On April 25, Gilead Sciences released its Q1 2024 earnings:Total revenue of $6.686 billion,Year-on-yearGrowth of 5%, mainly driven by the increase in sales of HIV, oncology, and liver disease drugs. R&D investment reached $1.52 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5%, primarily affected by expenses related to the acquisition of CymaBay and restructuring costs.In the first quarter of this year, Gilead Sciences terminatedTwo Cell Therapy ProjectsThese are Phase 2 trials of the autologous anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy Brexucabtagene autoleucel (ZUMA-25) for the treatment of rare B-cell malignancies and Phase 1 trials of CLL-1 (KITE-222) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.In addition,Gilead Sciences will alsoSix Trials of CD47 Monoclonal Antibody Magrolimab Removed from Pipeline，Including magrolimab combination therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, triple-negative breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and other solid tumor studies. Magrolimab is a potential first-in-class anti-CD47 immunotherapy acquired by Gilead Sciences for $4.9 billion through the acquisition of Forty Seven, Inc.。
On January 29, Gilead Sciences and Arcus Biosciences announcedRevise the cooperation agreement between the two parties, and Gilead will invest $320 million in equity investment in Arcus' common stock.Two companiesRe-prioritized the domvanalimab co-development program, and this adjustmentIncludingTermination of Patient Recruitment for Phase 3 ARC-10 StudyThe study evaluated the efficacy of a combination regimen consisting of domvanalimab and zimberelimab compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy as a first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic, PD-L1 high-expressing non-small cell lung cancer. The termination of the ARC-10 study was based on the adjustment of strategic priorities to advance and potentially accelerate the progress of two Phase 3 studies—STAR-121 and STAR-22—which are expected to address the significant unmet needs of patients with lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer.
[1] Save $10.8 Billion for Shopping! BMS Restructuring Accelerates. Artery New Medicine. 2024-04-26.[2] Roche 2024Q1: Cut 6 Pipelines. PharmaCross. 2024-04-28.[3] Gilead Sciences 2024 Q1: Cut 10 Pipeline Programs. Frontier of Cell and Gene Therapy. 2024-04-27.[4] Gilead Sciences Completely Abandons CD47 Monoclonal Antibody Development. PharmaCube. 2024-04-26.[5] Express | Gilead Sciences Invests $320 Million, Updates TIGIT Antibody Co-Development Agreement. WuXi AppTec. 2024-02-02.[6] Two Major Pharmaceutical Companies Successively Cut Multiple Early-Stage Pipelines. Biopharmaceutical Editor. 2024-04-28.[7]裁or财，MNC2024 Q1 Layoffs and Pipeline Cuts Soar. Once Medicine. 2024-04-26.[8] Novartis 2024 Q1: Two projects removed from the pipeline, PSMA-radiopharmaceutical Pluvicto achieves $310 million in sales. New Drug Launch. 2024-04-23.[9] Quarterly Reports of Various Companies.Scan the WeChat QR code to add.Medicine Space-TimeEditor
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