Biopharmaceutical

HUTCHMED (HCM) CEO Dr. Weiguo Su is taking a leave of absence for health reasons. CFO Johnny Cheng has been appointed Acting CEO, retaining his CFO responsibilities. The Board assures that ongoing research, development, and commercial activities will remain on track. Dr. Su expressed confidence in the team’s ability to execute the company’s strategy. Cheng acknowledged Dr. Su’s 20 years of leadership and contributions to HUTCHMED.

Praxis Precision Medicines (PRAX) CEO Marcio Souza will participate in a virtual fireside chat hosted by Truist Securities analyst Joon Lee on August 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST. The company focuses on developing therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, specifically targeting neuronal excitation-inhibition imbalance using their Cerebrum™ and Solidus™ platforms. Praxis has a diversified CNS portfolio with four product candidates in clinical development.

Poxel SA, facing insolvency proceedings, has overhauled its board and leadership. The entire existing board resigned, replaced by Sophie Jacq Lapointe (Chairman), Nicolas Trouche (CEO), Amit Kohli, and Alexandre Bragadir. Trouche succeeds Thomas Kuhn as CEO. Lapointe brings pharmaceutical commercialization expertise, while Trouche specializes in restructuring. Kohli has expertise in diabetes therapies and Bragadir in healthcare financing. Poxel’s focus remains on MASH and rare metabolic disorder treatments, including PXL065 and PXL770, and its diabetes drug TWYMEEG®. The new leadership aims to navigate restructuring and secure funding.

Absci (ABSI) announced the pricing of its public offering of 16,670,000 shares at $3.00 per share, expecting gross proceeds of $50 million. Underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 2,500,500 shares. Absci will use the funds for program advancements, platform investment, and general corporate purposes. Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Jefferies, and TD Cowen are managing the offering, expected to close around July 25, 2025.

TCTM Kids IT Education Inc. (VSA) announced a non-binding LOI to acquire HopeAI, a leader in AI solutions for clinical development. This move aims to expand VSA’s presence in the AI-driven biopharmaceutical sector. HopeAI’s platforms offer solutions to reduce clinical trial timelines and improve efficiency. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and will allow VSA to leverage HopeAI’s technology to advance drug development.

Insmed Incorporated announced a $750 million public offering of common stock, selling 7,812,500 shares at $96.00 each. Proceeds will fund brensocatib’s R&D, ARIKAYCE’s commercialization, and pipeline expansion. This strategic move aims to bolster financial standing and accelerate drug development across pulmonary and inflammatory conditions. The offering, led by major financial institutions, is expected to close on June 13, 2025, subject to customary conditions.

Innovent Biologics released its 2024 ESG Report outlining a five-pillar strategy—Excellent Governance, Advancing Public Health, Uncompromising Quality, Empowering Talent, and Sustainable Ecology. Achieving an MSCI AAA ESG rating (the only Chinese biotech recipient), it aligned with UN SDGs, expanded board diversity, and distributed RMB 3.6 billion in medicines to 200,000+ patients. The company maintained 100% GMP compliance, reduced energy use by 29%, saved 51,100 tons of water annually, and achieved 96.8% employee retention with 44.2% women in management roles. Its pipeline includes 13 orphan drugs and three New Drug Applications under review, underscoring its dual focus on innovation and sustainability.