Biotech news

Here are some recent biotech news stories:

1. COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

• Pfizer and BioNTech announce that their COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization (Source: Pfizer)
• Moderna Therapeutics reports that its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization (Source: Moderna)
• Johnson & Johnson pauses its COVID-19 vaccine trial due to a participant's serious adverse reaction (Source: Johnson & Johnson)

2. Gene Editing

• CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals announce positive results from a gene editing trial for sickle cell disease (Source: CRISPR Therapeutics)
• Editas Medicine reports positive results from a gene editing trial for Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare form of blindness (Source: Editas Medicine)

3. Cancer Immunotherapy

• Merck & Co. announces positive results from a clinical trial of its cancer immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, in combination with chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (Source: Merck & Co.)
• Bristol-Myers Squibb announces positive results from a clinical trial of its cancer immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, in combination with ipilimumab for melanoma (Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb)

4. Biotech IPOs

• Moderna Therapeutics goes public with an initial public offering (IPO) of $604 million (Source: Moderna Therapeutics)
• CRISPR Therapeutics goes public with an IPO of $1.2 billion (Source: CRISPR Therapeutics)

5. Biotech Mergers and Acquisitions

• Biogen acquires Nightstar Therapeutics for $800 million (Source: Biogen)
• Novartis acquires The Medicines Company for $9.7 billion (Source: Novartis)

6. Biotech Research

• Scientists discover a new gene that contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease (Source: Nature)
• Researchers develop a new biodegradable implant that can deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to tumors (Source: Science)

7. Biotech Regulation

• The US FDA approves the first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (Source: FDA)
• The European Medicines Agency approves the first gene therapy for leukemia (Source: EMA)

These are just a few examples of recent biotech news stories. If you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest biotech news, I recommend following reputable sources such as Biotech Week, BioSpace, and The Scientist.