Aug. 19 - Biotech’s needed reset, Viking’s obesity miss and CSL’s restructuring

Viking shares sink as obesity pill misses expectations in key study; CSL to separate vaccine business, cut jobs; PTC drug for Friedrich’s ataxia rejected; Lilly sells nearly $7B in bonds; Kennedy’s mRNA cuts could set US science back, experts warn

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Daily Dive

Aug. 19, 2025 | Today’s news and insights for biopharma leaders

BROUGHT TO YOU BY — Pfizer

Interactive: How Drugs Get Their Names

All potential drugs go through rigorous safety assessments during their development – and so do their names. Selecting a drug name can take years. See how in our interactive.

Q&A

Omega’s Otello Stampacchia on the ‘reset’ changing biotech for the better

Tough times in the industry are forcing changes in investment and governance that should result in a healthier sector, the Omega Funds founder told BioPharma Dive.

Viking shares sink as obesity pill misses expectations in key study

The company’s market value was nearly cut in half following trial results showing higher rates of treatment discontinuations among people receiving Viking’s drug.

CSL to separate vaccine business, cut jobs

On an earnings call, CSL CEO Paul McKenzie described weakness in the U.S. market for seasonal flu vaccines as “disappointing” and “highly irrational.”

The unexpected medication that could revolutionize the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

A new wave of Alzheimer’s research suggests semaglutide, widely known for diabetes and weight loss management, could also slow cognitive decline—two major trials aim to reveal the truth by 2025.

News roundup

PTC drug for Friedrich’s ataxia rejected; Lilly sells nearly $7B in bonds

The FDA said data for PTC's drug did not prove "substantial evidence of efficacy." Elsewhere, the FDA delayed its decision on a Regenxbio gene therapy and Skyhawk Therapeutics struck a deal.

Kennedy’s mRNA cuts could set US science back, experts warn

Scientists say HHS’ decision to defund mRNA vaccine research will leave the country less prepared for pandemics, and make it harder to invest in companies advancing the technology.

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