The biotech industry is starting 2025 on shaky ground. Fewer companies are going public, acquisitions have slowed down, and the political landscape is creating uncertainty. But there’s hope: a wave of clinical trial results expected in the first half of the year could revitalize the sector. These trials, focusing on everything from diabetes and weight loss to cancer and Alzheimer’s, could validate new drugmaking approaches and bring much-needed treatments to patients.
Here are 10 trials to watch closely:
1. A New Weapon Against Heart Disease?
- Novartis is testing a drug called pelacarsen that aims to lower levels of a protein called Lp(a), which is linked to increased heart attack and stroke risk. If successful, this could be a game-changer for cardiovascular disease prevention.
2. Expanding the Power of Weight-Loss Drugs
- Eli Lilly is studying its diabetes drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro) to see if it can also improve heart health. This could further expand the use of this medication and provide valuable insights for Lilly’s obesity drug, Zepbound.
- Novo Nordisk is exploring whether its popular weight-loss drug semaglutide (Wegovy) can slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This unexpected application could revolutionize Alzheimer’s treatment.
3. Tackling Cancer with Innovative Approaches
- Arvinas is leading the charge in targeted protein degradation, a new technique that could unlock treatments for previously “undruggable” targets. Their drug vepdegestrant is being tested for advanced breast cancer.
4. A New Hope for Kidney Disease
- Vera Therapeutics is developing atacicept for IgA nephropathy, a progressive kidney disease. This drug could offer a more effective treatment option for patients with this condition.
5. Revolutionizing Gene Editing
- Beam Therapeutics is pushing the boundaries of gene editing with a therapy that works directly in the body to correct a genetic defect that causes lung and liver damage. This could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases.
- Verve Therapeutics is also using gene editing to tackle high cholesterol, aiming to prevent heart attacks with a single infusion.
6. The Rise of Psychedelic Therapies
- Compass Pathways is testing psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, for treatment-resistant depression. This trial could further validate the potential of psychedelics in mental health.
7. Improving Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Eli Lilly is testing a new oral drug, MORF-057, for inflammatory bowel disease. This could provide a more convenient alternative to current injectable treatments.
8. Advancing mRNA Technology
- Vertex and Moderna are collaborating on an inhaled mRNA therapy for cystic fibrosis. This could expand the use of mRNA technology beyond vaccines and into new therapeutic areas.
These trials represent just a glimpse of the exciting advancements happening in biotech. While the industry faces challenges, these potential breakthroughs offer a reason for optimism in 2025.
Source: BioPharma Dive, January 2, 2025
