BioCentury This Week Ep. 343 - JPM Deals, Policy Outlook, Approval Trends
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Jan 13, 2026 This week, Steve Usdin, Washington editor, and Lauren Martz, Biopharma Intelligence Executive Director, dive into the hot topics of biotech. They analyze significant deals from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, including a bispecific partnership between AbbVie and RemeGen. Usdin provides a bold policy outlook, warning of changes to drug pricing norms and potential FDA staff losses. Martz discusses approval trends for 2025, emphasizing innovations in drug delivery and the unique pressures affecting orphan drug programs. Tune in for new insights on biopharma dynamics!
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Bispecific Deals Track Clinical Maturity
- AbbVie partnered with RemeGen for a PD-1/VEGF bispecific with a $650M upfront, reflecting sustained interest in the modality.
- Comparatively, Pfizer paid about double for a phase-ready PD-1/VEGF, showing deal value scales with clinical maturity.
China NewCo Model Still Active
- The NUCO new-co model from China slowed but persists, exemplified by AirNexus formed by Haisco and a syndicate led by Frazier.
- Investors continue to source broad Chinese pipelines for global licensing and new-co formation.
AirNexus Founder And Investor Roster
- Jeff Cranmer described AirNexus investors and leaders, including Maria Ferdas and James Lee, and named Frazier and Goldman among backers.
- He portrayed the syndicate as experienced with the NUCO model and company-building.