The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) has launched a 10-year science strategy, setting out how science can save more lives and contribute to the U.K.’s ambition of being a global science superpower. The strategy sets out how the UKHSA scientific capabilities – including genomics, vaccine evaluation, surveillance, data science, diagnostics and toxicology – will be deployed to prepare for future health security hazards, respond to current threats to save lives, reduce harm, protect...

Pfizer Inc. is set to acquire Seagen Inc. for $229 in cash per Seagen share for a total enterprise value of $43 billion. Seagen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes cancer medicines. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. “Pfizer is deploying its financial resources to advance the battle against cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide with a significant impact on public health,” said Albert Bourla,...

By Soheila Borhani, School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center Since its first documented case circa 3000 B.C., cancer has remained at the top of the list of most formidable diseases in human history, and continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. In 2020, nearly 10 million people lost their lives to this deadly disease, and the cost of cancer care in the U.S. alone reached a whopping $200 billion. Despite the gloomy picture painted by these...

Perhaps 2022 will best be remembered in the life science industry for the return of many of the face-to-face events that fell by the wayside during the COVID-19 pandemic. It might have been a mixed year for biotech companies, but 2023 is a new year, with new challenges, but also new opportunities. So what do some of those within the industry think might happen in 2023? Animal testing woes? Alex Andrianopoulos, chief R&D officer at Kairos Ventures, an early-stage investment firm that partners...

A Q&A with Bill Coyle, principal, ZS. ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on transforming global healthcare. In some ways, 2022 could be seen as a challenging year—at least financially—in biotech. Do you see those trends continuing? Although we see overall sentiments to invest in biotech turning positive in 2023 after a weaker 2022, the sector is expected to remain flat to slightly bearish amid an uncertain economic environment. We’re watching out for inflation- and...