Pharmaphorum

News Scribe's president and CEO, Benjamin Oakes Scribe Therapeutics has become the latest biotech to announce plans to list on the Nasdaq, in what is being seen as a test of the appetite among investors for earlier-stage drug developers.

Patients are being recruited into a clinical trial of two potential therapies for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Board-level appointments across biotech, biopharma, and industry organisations continued at pace over the period, with companies bringing in seasoned executives and governance experts to guide strategy, growth, and innovation. From chair roles to new board and advisory appointments, the latest moves reflect a focus on experience in commercialisation, corporate governance, and therapeutic development. New Chairs appointed at Exciva and Immunic.

This week's collection of venture capital financings in the biotech arena includes rounds for Celea, Beeline, Flare, Lycia, and Telum. PureTech's Celea eyes phase 3 for IPF drug after $180m round Armed with an impressive $180 million financing, Celea Therapeutics has hatched a plan to start an ambitious phase 3 trial of its lead drug, a modified derivative of Roche's Esbriet (pirfenidone), in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) were at the core of the 2000 NHS Cancer Plan and have become a cornerstone of treatment planning. Once hailed as the “gold standard” for cancer management, though, MDTs are now under strain. Over the years, the number of referrals have gone up drastically and meeting times have increased to up to four hours, while the volume of cases has rocketed to up to 90 per session, with a third of these cases being rolled over from the week before.

Newron Pharmaceuticals thinks it may have reached an agreement with the FDA on a way to get the development of its schizophrenia candidate evenamide back on track, after it was placed under a clinical hold earlier this year. The Italy-headquartered company said it has held a meeting with the FDA that discussed changes to the ENIGMA-TRS 2 trial of evenamide in treatment-resistant schizophrenia that could allow US patient enrolment to start again.

Novartis has secured EU approval for Itvisma, a new intrathecal formulation of its spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) gene therapy onasemnogene abeparvovec that can extend its use into a broader patient population. The European Commission has cleared Itvisma for use in SMA patients from the age of two upwards, including adults, unlocking a much larger population than can be treated with its current intravenously administered version, sold as Zolgensma.

R&D In late September 2025, Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, officially opened the £1.2 billion Oxford North flagship global innovation district, in what was a major boost to the UK’s science, technology, and AI sectors.

The agency, consultancy, and investor segments saw a wave of senior-level appointments across April and May, as organisations invested in technology leadership, strategic advisory, and specialist communications expertise. From global consultancy groups to boutique investors and health policy agencies, the latest hires reflect a clear emphasis on digital transformation, commercial strategy, and talent development.

Despite having now implemented electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOA) in clinical trials for decades, we continue to hit the same road blocks during operational set-up and implementation. This causes frustration for all stakeholders – sponsors, CROs, and eCOA providers alike. Yet, many of these challenges are solvable, and the industry must take greater accountability for eliminating them.