More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

The US firm’s nasal gel formulation of the anticholinergic compound has succeeded in a second Phase III trial, bringing Defender closer to entering a market dominated by Bayer’s Transderm Scop.

An unblinded interim efficacy analysis by a DMC recommended a Phase II/III study testing fosgonimeton in Alzheimer's patients should continue.

Eisai and Biogen had double-digit stock price gains based on the positive Phase III readout for lecanemab. The good news also lifted competitors Lilly and Roche as well as earlier-stage Alzheimer’s drug developers.