Earlier this year, Fierce Healthcare, Fierce Pharma and Fierce Biotech recognized 50 individuals and companies that are pushing the industry forward. The Fierce 50 honorees range from tech innovators to researchers developing novel therapies to providers on the frontlines of changing care. This week on "The Top Line," senior editor Paige Minemyer sat down with staff writers Dave Muoio and Anastassia Gliadkovskaya as well as senior editor Heather Landi to discuss a few of the honorees in more detail. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
The Fierce 50 of 2023

Earlier this year, Fierce Healthcare, Fierce Pharma and Fierce Biotech recognized 50 individuals and companies that are pushing the industry forward. The Fierce 50 honorees range from tech innovators to researchers developing novel therapies to providers on the frontlines of changing care. This week on "The Top Line," senior editor Paige Minemyer sat down with staff writers Dave Muoio and Anastassia Gliadkovskaya as well as senior editor Heather Landi to discuss a few of the honorees in more detail. 
To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fiercepharmacom/fierce-50-reports" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fiercepharmacom/fierce-50-reports">The Fierce 50 of 2023</a></li>
</ul>

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning. 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.&nbsp;

The Top Line

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We’ll analyze the week’s biggest business news—from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.

 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We&rsquo;ll analyze the week&rsquo;s biggest business news&mdash;from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
&nbsp;

A closer look at the Fierce 50

Agenus Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven O'Day joined Fierce's Chris Hayden on a recent sponsored episode of The Top Line podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy.

O'Day, a medical oncologist with 30 years of experience, explained the fundamental differences between immunotherapy and traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. He emphasized immunotherapy's potential for durable responses and even cures by activating the body's own T-cells to fight cancer.

The conversation addressed the challenges of treating "cold" tumors, such as colorectal cancer, which are less visible to the immune system. O'Day highlighted Agenus's pipeline of antibodies, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), designed to trigger T-cell recognition of these colder cancers.

O'Day expressed his excitement about a potential "2.0 revolution" of immuno-oncology, expanding the benefits of immunotherapy to a wider range of cancers. He described BOT and BAL as a "one-two punch," with BOT priming T-cells and BAL preventing their exhaustion.

Listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of The Top Line.

Agenus Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven O'Day joined Fierce's Chris Hayden on a recent sponsored episode of The Top Line podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy.
O'Day, a medical oncologist with 30 years of experience, explained the fundamental differences between immunotherapy and traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. He emphasized immunotherapy's potential for durable responses and even cures by activating the body's own T-cells to fight cancer.
The conversation addressed the challenges of treating "cold" tumors, such as colorectal cancer, which are less visible to the immune system. O'Day highlighted Agenus's pipeline of antibodies, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), designed to trigger T-cell recognition of these colder cancers.
O'Day expressed his excitement about a potential "2.0 revolution" of immuno-oncology, expanding the benefits of immunotherapy to a wider range of cancers. He described BOT and BAL as a "one-two punch," with BOT priming T-cells and BAL preventing their exhaustion.
Listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of The Top Line.

Dr. Steven O'Day of Agenus discusses the future of cancer immunotherapy on The Top Line podcast. Learn about 'cold' tumors and a potential '2.0 revolution' in immuno-oncology.

Agenus CMO touts immunotherapy advances on The Top Line

Despite a rocky start for many drugmakers at the start of last year, 2024’s fourth quarter saw just two of the top 25 global pharma companies record sales declines. But that growth may be short-lived, as many of those same companies forecast more muted revenue increases in 2025.

In this week’s episode of The Top Line, we dissect the unprecedented revenue growth enjoyed by many of the world’s top pharma companies by sales in the fourth quarter of last year. Fierce Pharma’s Kevin Dunleavy and Fraiser Kansteiner discuss the period’s results, examine the companies’ performance expectations going into 2025 and consider whether the momentum seen in Q4 is repeatable or more of an anomaly.

To learn more about the topics in this episode:
Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk lead revenue boom in the 'always tricky' Q4
Eli Lilly logs massive Q4 revenue jump—but it's not just thanks to Mounjaro and Zepbound
Pfizer harnesses COVID fluctuations to clinch Q4 gains as RSV vaccine sales plummet
Astellas takes $760M charge, reveals slowdown for eye drug Izervay after regulatory stumbles

This episode is brought to you by Cencora.

Despite a rocky start for many drugmakers at the start of last year, 2024&rsquo;s fourth quarter saw just two of the top 25 global pharma companies record sales declines. But that growth may be short-lived, as many of those same companies forecast more muted revenue increases in 2025.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of The Top Line, we dissect the unprecedented revenue growth enjoyed by many of the world&rsquo;s top pharma companies by sales in the fourth quarter of last year. Fierce Pharma&rsquo;s Kevin Dunleavy and Fraiser Kansteiner discuss the period&rsquo;s results, examine the companies&rsquo; performance expectations going into 2025 and consider whether the momentum seen in Q4 is repeatable or more of an anomaly.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-lead-revenue-boom-always-tricky-fourth-quarter">Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk lead revenue boom in the 'always tricky' Q4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/eli-lillys-very-beatable-2025-guidance-should-ease-investor-sentiment-after-recent-glp-1">Eli Lilly logs massive Q4 revenue jump&mdash;but it's not just thanks to Mounjaro and Zepbound</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/pfizer-harnesses-covid-waves-cinch-q4-gains-while-rsv-vaccine-sales-stumble">Pfizer harnesses COVID fluctuations to clinch Q4 gains as RSV vaccine sales plummet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/astellas-charts-path-eye-drug-izervay-after-us-european-regulatory-hurdles-execs">Astellas takes $760M charge, reveals slowdown for eye drug Izervay after regulatory stumbles</a></li>
</ul>
This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://www.cencora.com/initiatives/pharma/supporting-biopharma-breakthroughs?utm_source=FiercePharma&amp;utm_medium=audio&amp;utm_campaign=gps_100_awareness&amp;utm_content=breakthrough-emerging">Cencora</a>.

Breaking down pharma’s fourth-quarter sales boom

In the latest episode of The Top Line, Chris Hayden of Fierce Pharma sits down with Mary Lou Glotzbach, senior manager of drug delivery partnerships at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM). They explore the evolving landscape of biologics, the increasing importance of cold chain management, and how contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) are adapting to industry shifts.

Glotzbach highlights a growing trend in biotech: transitioning patient treatments from infusion centers to home delivery. This shift demands innovative drug delivery solutions, including wearable devices and auto-injectors, capable of handling high-viscosity biologics. She also emphasizes the industry's push for smaller batch sizes due to the high cost and complexity of producing biologics, which challenges traditional manufacturing processes.

Another key discussion point is the rising demand for transparency and early collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs, and device manufacturers. Glotzbach notes that CDMOs are now being brought into the development process earlier than ever, allowing for better alignment on formulation, container design, and regulatory compliance.

The conversation also touches on Annex 1 compliance and the need for standardization in primary containers like syringes and cartridges. Glotzbach envisions a future where standardized components streamline production, making drug development more efficient.

For anyone interested in the intersection of biologics, manufacturing, and drug delivery innovation, this episode offers valuable insights into how GRAM is helping shape the future of the industry. Tune in to learn more about the latest advancements and challenges in aseptic manufacturing.

In the latest episode of The Top Line, Chris Hayden of Fierce Pharma sits down with Mary Lou Glotzbach, senior manager of drug delivery partnerships at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM). They explore the evolving landscape of biologics, the increasing importance of cold chain management, and how contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) are adapting to industry shifts.
Glotzbach highlights a growing trend in biotech: transitioning patient treatments from infusion centers to home delivery. This shift demands innovative drug delivery solutions, including wearable devices and auto-injectors, capable of handling high-viscosity biologics. She also emphasizes the industry's push for smaller batch sizes due to the high cost and complexity of producing biologics, which challenges traditional manufacturing processes.
Another key discussion point is the rising demand for transparency and early collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs, and device manufacturers. Glotzbach notes that CDMOs are now being brought into the development process earlier than ever, allowing for better alignment on formulation, container design, and regulatory compliance.
The conversation also touches on Annex 1 compliance and the need for standardization in primary containers like syringes and cartridges. Glotzbach envisions a future where standardized components streamline production, making drug development more efficient.
For anyone interested in the intersection of biologics, manufacturing, and drug delivery innovation, this episode offers valuable insights into how GRAM is helping shape the future of the industry. Tune in to learn more about the latest advancements and challenges in aseptic manufacturing.

How biologics, cold chain management and early collaboration are transforming drug delivery.

A closer look at the Fierce 50

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