The introduction of gene therapies has been the highest-profile new modality to reach the market, but new RNA-based therapeutics hold significant potential and could be more accessible for patients. Scrip reviews the leading drug developers in this space.

Additional highlights from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, including Takeda’s partnering outlook, Sage’s guidance on Zulresso sales, Frequency’s next steps for its hearing loss drug and Revance’s preparations to take on the aesthetics market. 

Acquired from Novartis last year, Isturisa is forecast to have peak sales of over $100m. Now all eyes will be on a PDUFA date in March.

Daily round-up from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco: AbbVie's Skyrizi takes psoriasis lead, Amarin goes it alone, Viatris debuts, BeiGene on US drug pricing and Roche think neuroscience is the new oncology.

Prospective partners will be impressed by data which shows that the UK company's once-daily oral treatment reduces hot flashes and night sweats and has also shown very rapid improvements in mood and sleep.

Executives and analysts predict trends spanning M&A, leadership diversity, curative gene therapy commercialization, biosimilars strategy and more. Expect technology innovation to continue to drive investment and deal making in biopharma.

Private equity group True North continues to back the Biocon group and is picking up a minority stake in Biocon Biologics in a deal that values the subsidiary at $3bn. Separately, another subsidiary, Biocon Biosphere, has also been set up as part of efforts to unlock the full potential of the business.

Antibiotics specialist Antabio aims to get enough funding to advance its pipeline far enough to become a takeover target.     

The new year starts with a strategic shift by Intrexon. Also, Roivant and Sumitomo Dainippon launch Sumitovant, Melinta reorganizes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Acorda arranges debt relief and CF PharmTech raises a $90m series E round.