The companies are set to present Phase III results from their rival myostatin inhibitor drugs for spinal muscular atrophy in Q4, while also fast-tracking the candidates in obesity studies.

A new muscle-building front is opening in the fight against obesity, with Lilly among the leaders. But it plans to remain tight-lipped on upcoming Phase II data for its myostatin inhibitor in combination with Novo’s Wegovy for fear of playing into the hands of its rival.

More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

Public Company Edition: PTC sold more of its Evrysdi royalties to Royalty Pharma for $1bn. Abivax gained $235.8m in an IPO and concurrent private placement, while Cerevel grossed $450m and Nuvalent and Ultragenyx raised $300m each in follow-on offerings, but Freeline is reviewing strategic options.