The untold story of Moderna as the biotech’s coronavirus vaccine faces a test that could make it one of the most consequential startups of all time (MRNA)

Saturday, 23 May 2020, 11:45:00
The biotech Moderna has skyrocketed to global prominence, leading the world’s race for a coronavirus vaccine. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech was founded in 2010 with the ambitious goal to develop a new type of medicine. While its platform remains unproven, it is now being tested under the brightest possible spotlight of a pandemic. Here’s the inside story of Moderna’s rise, from an offshoot of stem cell research to routinely shattering funding records on its way to biotech’s top ranks. The biotech has spent a decade working to meet this moment, and investors have sent its stock soaring to a valuation of almost $30 billion. The next few months will be a defining period for the future of Moderna. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories . In its short corporate history, Moderna has grown accustomed to breaking records. A $450 million funding round in 2015 was a record for the biotech industry. Moderna raised even more the next year. And its 2018 initial public offering was the largest ever for a biotech .
— Business Insider

Pharma Stock Roundup: FDA Ok’s Cancer Drugs for New Use, JNJ Stops US Baby Powder Sales

Friday, 22 May 2020, 09:37:09
FDA approves line extensions for Bristol-Myers (BMY), Roche (RHHBY) and AstraZeneca (AZN)/Merck’s (MRK) drugs. J&J stops sales of talc-based baby powders in the United States and Canada.
— Yahoo Finance

Why Surface Oncology’s Stock Is Surging Higher

Wednesday, 20 May 2020, 16:37:24
Shares of micro-cap biopharma Surface Oncology Inc (NASDAQ: SURF ) are advancing strongly Wednesday following an oncology partnership the company announced with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK ). The Merck-Surface Oncology Partnership: Massachusetts-based Surface Oncology said it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with Merck to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combo therapy consisting of the former’s investigational antibody SRF617 that targets CD39 and Merck’s anti-PD-1 … Full story available on Benzinga.com
— Benzinga

AstraZeneca, Merck Announce FDA Approval of Prostate Cancer Drug

Wednesday, 20 May 2020, 13:02:19
AstraZeneca and Merck announced the FDA has approved their cancer drug Lynparza.
— The Street

AstraZeneca, Merck Get First FDA Nod for Lynparza in Prostate Cancer | MarketScreener

Wednesday, 20 May 2020, 11:40:01
By Colin Kellaher AstraZeneca PLC and Merck & Co. on Wednesday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the cancer drug Lynparza for its first indication in prostate cancer…. | May 20, 2020
— MarketScreener