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.

Executive changes at both Viatris and Teva in 2023 saw the companies shift their focus towards the innovator industry. Plus, trade groups saw some significant personnel shakeups, Alvotech expressed hope that new hires would help to resolve manufacturing approval issues, Biocon made changes to its management structure, and more.

Private Company Edition: Playground’s third fund has $410m for tech, including biotech, Pivotal Life Sciences closed its second fund with $389m and Chugai will invest $200m through its new fund. Also, Tome launched with $213m, Sudo raised a $116m series B and Odyssey closed a $101m in series C.

Industry experts at the recent Sachs Biotech in Europe Forum discussed the renaissance in the cardiovascular and cardiometabolic markets, which are gaining momentum on the back of recent approvals, deal activity and new company launches.