The EU regulatory agency’s discussions for lecanemab’s approval are hit by a decision to annul advice from an advisory committee due to the implications of a Court of Justice ruling on the handling of experts' competing interests.

Biotech entrepreneurs tend to be an optimistic group, and there were many pockets of hope for 2024. However, the consensus remains that depressed valuations and paucity of fresh funds will continue to pose a challenge for the sector, and companies will need to prioritize carefully and work even harder to demonstrate and create value.

Janssen Biotech adds to its bispecific antibody pipeline for cancer via pair of collaborations. Ipsen and Accent pair up to investigate new target for acute myeloid leukemia.

Start-up Insitro will attempt to optimize up to five NASH targets for Gilead under three-year alliance. Catalent buys gene therapy CDMO Paragon for $1.2bn, Boehringer partners with PureTech in GI cancer, while Fibrocell inks gene therapy pact with Castle Creek.