French biotech GenSight Biologics reports top-line results from the Phase III REFLECT study, backing the efficacy of its lead gene therapy in a devastating eye disease, and prepares plans to commercialize the product.

Just under a year since Santhera restructured after disappointing late-stage clinical results with another DMD candidate, the Switzerland-headquartered company has reported positive top-line results in the condition with licensed-in vamorolone, and is planning for commercialization in late 2022/early 2023.

Less than two months after bintrafusp failed to beat Merck & Co's blockbuster Keytruda in a Phase III NSCLC trial, Merck KGaA's bispecific fusion protein partnered with GSK has disappointed in a mid-stage study for biliary tract cancer.

Becoming a first-time CEO of a biotech company in 2020 meant dealing with unexpected challenges without any instruction book to follow. Santhera Pharmaceuticals’ Dario Eklund not only had COVID-19 upheaval to manage, but also a late-stage trial failure, a virtual financing and a new plan for the company to sell to stakeholders.