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Sanofi’s $470M Play, AstraZeneca’s Power Move, and mRNA in Mice

May 23, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

🌟 Editor's Note

AstraZeneca closes on CAR-T, Sunshine makes mRNA gains, and what’s ahead for investor sentiment.


🧪 Clinical Pipeline Watch

🌿 Sunshine Biopharma's mRNA Therapy Shows Promise in Liver Cancer
Sunshine Biopharma has reported positive preclinical results for its K1.1 mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle (K1.1-mRNA-LNP) therapy targeting human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The therapy demonstrated significant efficacy in tumor models, advancing mRNA as a platform beyond COVID-19.

🫀 Eli Lilly's Lepodisiran Slashes Genetic Heart Risk Factor by 94%

In its Phase 2 ALPACA trial, Eli Lilly’s siRNA therapy lepodisiran reduced lipoprotein(a) levels by 93.9%. These sustained results put the drug on track to redefine treatment for genetically driven cardiovascular disease.

💊 Edgewise Therapeutics Reports Promising HCM Trial Data

Edgewise Therapeutics shared strong Phase 2 results from its CIRRUS-HCM trial for EDG-7500. The data showed reductions in key disease markers without affecting ejection fraction, strengthening its position in the heart disease space.


📜 Regulatory Radar

📉 AbbVie Trims 2025 Forecast Amid Post-Humira Pipeline Transition

AbbVie has lowered its 2025 earnings outlook after $248M in acquisition costs. The company is betting on Skyrizi and Rinvoq to offset Humira’s patent cliff as it navigates its next phase of growth.


💰 Big Pharma, Big Deals

🔥 AstraZeneca Completes $1B Acquisition of EsoBiotec

AstraZeneca has finalized its acquisition of EsoBiotec, a Belgian biotech pioneering in vivo CAR-T cell therapy. The deal expands AstraZeneca’s oncology platform with off-the-shelf cell therapy capabilities.

🧠 Sanofi Acquires Vigil Neuroscience for $470M

Sanofi is doubling down on neurology with its latest acquisition of Vigil Neuroscience. The deal includes contingent value rights linked to the progress of VG-3927, Vigil’s lead Alzheimer’s asset.

📈 Biopharma Market on Track for $1.41 Trillion by 2032

GlobeNewswire projects the biopharmaceutical market to more than double by 2032, fueled by demand for biologics, targeted therapies, and global innovation.

📊 Biotech Stocks on Sale? Analysts Point to Undervalued Contenders

Barron’s notes that while the broader biotech market has cooled, companies like CRISPR Therapeutics, Vertex, and Regeneron are emerging as prime buys for long-term investors.


📈 Analyst Corner

🔄 Dealmaking May Be Slower, But It’s Not Dead

While capital markets remain tight, BioPharma Dive reports that strategic acquisitions continue, especially in neurology, oncology, and AI-enabled discovery.

📅 Upcoming Events & Conferences

  • DIA Korea Annual Meeting | Apr 22–23 | Seoul

  • BioPharma Drug Discovery Nexus | Apr 29–30 | Brussels

  • DIA Global Annual Meeting | Jun 15–19 | Washington, DC

  • BIO International Convention | Jun 3–6 | San Diego

💡 Did you know?

💡 Only 1 in 10 drugs that enter clinical trials receive FDA approval—yet global R&D spending exceeds $200B annually.

Till next time,

BioPharma Update