Core Viewpoint - Novartis AG has reached a confidential settlement with the family of Henrietta Lacks regarding the unauthorized use of her cells in medical research, marking a significant resolution in the ongoing legal matters surrounding the HeLa cell line [1][2]. Settlement Details - The settlement was reached outside of court, with both parties confirming the arrangement but not disclosing financial terms. A joint statement expressed satisfaction with the private resolution [2]. - The lawsuit was filed nearly 70 years after Lacks' death, with her family arguing that companies profited from cells taken without consent. The estate has pursued multiple legal actions against pharmaceutical firms [2]. Background on HeLa Cells - In 1951, a tissue sample was taken from Henrietta Lacks during cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital without her knowledge. Her cells, known as HeLa cells, were unique in that they could multiply indefinitely in laboratory conditions [3]. - HeLa cells have significantly advanced research in vaccines and disease studies globally, contributing to breakthroughs in polio, HIV, and cancer research, as recognized by the World Health Organization [3]. Family's Experience - Henrietta Lacks passed away at the age of 31, shortly after her diagnosis. Her family remained unaware of the extensive use of her cells for decades and did not receive any compensation during the commercialization of the HeLa cell line [4]. Prior Legal Actions - In 2023, Lacks' family settled with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. under undisclosed terms, while additional lawsuits against other pharmaceutical companies are still ongoing. Attorney Ben Crump stated that the recent agreement provides long-overdue accountability [5].

Adds Avidity’s differentiated muscle-directed Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOC) platform and three late-stage programs to industry-leading neuromuscular pipelinePotentially unlocks multi-billion-dollar opportunities with planned product launches before 2030Strengthens late-stage pipeline to further support 2025-2030 net sales CAGR of 5-6% cc and mid to long term growth outlook Basel, February 27, 2026 -- Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Av ...

Telix Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:TLX) FY Conference February 26, 2026 04:40 PM ET Company ParticipantsChristian Behrenbruch - Managing Director and Group Chief Executive OfficerConference Call ParticipantsJeff Jones - Managing Director and Senior Analyst, BiotechnologyJeff JonesGood afternoon, everyone. Welcome back to the afternoon session of Oppenheimer's Annual Healthcare Conference. I'm Jeff Jones, one of the analysts on the biotech team here. I am delighted to be joined by Christian Behrenbruch, CEO of ...

A sign of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is seen on the top of a building at Novartis Campus in Basel on Sept. 9, 2025.Novartis, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, and Genentech, a major biotech firm, say they've uncovered a "dangerous scheme" to import their allergy medication from Canada into the U.S. in violation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations.Both are suing SHARx — a so-called alternative funding program — and a Canadian pharmacy over the importation of Xolair, a ...

Summary of Jade Biosciences FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Jade Biosciences (NasdaqCM:JBIO) - **Focus**: Development of best-in-class therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, leveraging high-affinity binding monoclonal antibodies and half-life extension technology [2][3] Core Programs 1. **JADE101** - **Target**: Anti-APRIL for IgA nephropathy - **Current Status**: Phase I trial with healthy volunteers, results expected in the first half of 2026 [4][5] - **Market Opportunity**: Estimated at $10 billion in the U.S., potentially conservative due to recent approvals in the sector [9][10] - **Mechanism**: Designed to provide complete inhibition of APRIL, with a dosing interval of one subcutaneous injection every 8 weeks [12][18] - **Patient Population**: Approximately 170,000 diagnosed in the U.S., with 60%-75% eligible for treatment [13][15] - **Clinical Activity**: Expected to show significant reductions in proteinuria and stabilize kidney function [11][19] 2. **JADE201** - **Target**: Anti-BAFF-R, following the lead of Novartis' Ianalumab - **Current Status**: First-in-human trial planned for Q2 2026, with data expected in 2027 [6][30] - **Mechanism**: Aims for deeper B-cell depletion and prevention of B-cell repopulation, potentially overcoming limitations of existing therapies [27][28] 3. **JADE301** - **Status**: Target undisclosed for competitive reasons, expected to enter the clinic in the first half of 2027 [6][7] Financial Position - **Cash Position**: Closed 2025 with $336 million, sufficient to fund operations into the first half of 2028 [8] Market Dynamics - **IgA Nephropathy**: Increasing focus on the disease with new approvals, highlighting the need for effective treatments [4][10] - **KDIGO Guidelines**: New guidelines emphasize the need for efficacious medications targeting proteinuria levels below 0.5 grams per day [15][16] Competitive Landscape - **JADE101 vs. Sibeprenlimab**: JADE101 is over 750-fold more potent than sibeprenlimab, with a longer half-life and fewer injections required [11][23][24] - **Clinical Evidence**: Previous studies indicate that selective anti-APRIL agents show significant efficacy in reducing proteinuria, supporting the potential for JADE101 to capture market share [20][21] Conclusion - **Outlook**: Jade Biosciences is positioned for significant growth with multiple clinical programs advancing, particularly in the IgA nephropathy space, and is on track to deliver important data in the near future [33]

Key Takeaways Ionis beat Q4 estimates, but shares fell 5% on a softer-than-expected 2026 revenue outlook.Commercial revenues jumped 64%, driven by Tryngolza sales and Dawnzera's first full quarterIonis guides 2026 revenues of $800M-$825M, below estimates, citing slower new drug uptakeIonis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted loss per share of $1.14, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.21. In the year-ago period, the company had incurred an adjusted loss of 43 ...

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), which develops and markets diabetes and obesity treatments, closed Wednesday at $38.16, down 1.11%. The stock slipped as investors weighed a large Vivtex partnership while watching how competition and margins shape Novo’s obesity and diabetes franchise. Trading volume reached 54.7 million shares, about 141% above its three-month average of 22.7 million shares. Novo Nordisk IPO'd in 1981 and has grown 23,750% since going public. How the markets moved today The S&P 500 added 0.82% ...

ASP Isotopes (NasdaqCM:ASPI) Conference February 25, 2026 09:05 AM ET Company ParticipantsAnna Berry - HostPaul Mann - Chairman and CEOAnna Berryeveryone to the 90th Emerging Growth Conference and day one of our two-day virtual investor conference. I'm Anna Berry. Just a few notes. Today, we're running until about 4:50 P.M. Eastern. When we switch to the next company, you'll see a black screen for a moment. Don't go anywhere. That's just us moving to the next presentation. If you do experience downtime for ...

Core Viewpoint - Novartis plans to build a radioligand therapy manufacturing site in Texas, marking its first facility of this kind in the state and the fifth in the U.S. [1][4] Group 1: Investment and Expansion - The investment is part of Novartis' broader strategy to spend $23 billion on building and expanding facilities in the U.S. [2] - The new Texas site will enhance Novartis' manufacturing capacity in response to increased domestic demand and regulatory pressures [2][3]. Group 2: Facility Details - The new facility will cover 46,000 square feet and is expected to be fully operational by 2028 [4]. - The site will create jobs in bioengineering, advanced manufacturing, quality, and operations [4]. Group 3: Product Focus - Radioligand therapy is a targeted cancer treatment that delivers radiation directly to tumor cells, with Novartis already marketing Pluvicto and Lutathera for specific cancers [4]. - The addition of this facility will strengthen Novartis' ability to meet the growing demand for next-generation cancer treatments [3].

Avidity Biosciences – the San Diego rare disease biotech being acquired by Novartis for $12 billion – is spinning off its early-stage cardiology unit into a new company called Atrium Therapeutics. In a move that gives Avidity’s shareholders a parting gift as they surrender the rest of the company to Novartis, Avidity’s board designated February 12, 2026 as the record date (close of business, Eastern Time) for the pro rata distribution of Atrium shares ( PR Newswire ). Each Avidity holder on that date will r ...