---
title: 'Industry Daily Summary: What Happened on October 27, 2026'
headline: FDA approves GSK’s hepatitis B drug for some adults without cirrhosis
description: Menarini paid $45 million upfront for a preclinical cancer immunotherapy,
while Novartis ended an Alzheimer’s program and Windward Bio filed for a U.S. IPO.
url: https://thebench.bio/news/industry/2026-10-27
topic: industry
date: '2026-10-27'
covers:
- '2026-10-27'
date_published: '2026-10-27T12:05:01Z'
date_modified: '2026-10-27T12:05:01Z'
tags:
- Industry
- Funding
sources: 5
publisher: TheBench.Bio
---
# Industry Daily Summary: What Happened on October 27, 2026
**FDA approves GSK’s hepatitis B drug for some adults without cirrhosis**
Menarini paid $45 million upfront for a preclinical cancer immunotherapy, while Novartis ended an Alzheimer’s program and Windward Bio filed for a U.S. IPO.
## Today in brief
The FDA cleared GSK’s bepirovirsen, made with Ionis and sold as Hibsago, for certain adults with chronic hepatitis B who lack cirrhosis, alongside other antiviral drugs. [1] At 24 weeks off all hepatitis B therapy, 19% of treated participants still had viral control and no detectable hepatitis B surface antigen. [1] Menarini licensed Georgiamune’s preclinical cancer immunotherapy worldwide, agreeing to pay $45 million upfront. [2]
Novartis discontinued its Phase 2 Alzheimer’s drug lifonebart after a scheduled committee review of biomarker data. [1] Windward Bio submitted a U.S. IPO filing to fund antibody trials in respiratory and inflammatory conditions. [1]
## FDA approves GSK’s hepatitis B drug for selected adults without cirrhosis
The FDA approved GSK’s bepirovirsen, developed with Ionis and sold as Hibsago, for selected adults with chronic hepatitis B who don’t have cirrhosis, alongside existing antiviral drugs. [1] In the reported trial results, 19% of treated participants still had viral control and no detectable hepatitis B surface antigen 24 weeks after ending all hepatitis B therapy. [1]
Hibsago’s label warns of severe liver reactions and reduced platelet counts. Patients need regular monitoring. [1]
## Menarini pays $45 million upfront for Georgiamune cancer immunotherapy
Menarini agreed to pay Georgiamune $45 million upfront for worldwide rights to a preclinical cancer immunotherapy. The program is set to join the pipeline at Menarini subsidiary Stemline Therapeutics. [2] Menarini said it believes the program could be first in its class for solid tumors. [2] This is Menarini’s second licensing deal in two months. Its prior agreement expanded its cardiometabolic pipeline with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals. [2]
## Also worth knowing
- Idorsia plans a dedicated study of daridorexant in autism spectrum disorder after exploratory signals in a two-week pediatric sleep study. The company expects to share more in the first half of 2027. [1]
- After one of two oncology programs met its research criteria, Servier agreed to pay Insilico Medicine $32 million in combined upfront and near-term payments. The collaboration could reach $888 million. [1]
- ScionxBio and Sanofi will test whether ScionxBio’s TERA platform can extend protein production from selected Sanofi mRNA candidates. [1]
- Eleven Therapeutics’ businesses now operate as two companies: ScionxBio, which develops durable RNA medicines, and Undecimal Bio, which focuses on siRNA delivery. [1]
- Spica Therapeutics named Jeff Abbey CEO as it plans to extend its platform beyond oncology, the company said. [3]
- Acumetis named Ramil Burden CEO. Founder Brent Herspiegel is leaving the role but will remain on the board. [4]
- A judge ruled for Lilly in Novo’s lawsuit over weight-loss drug advertisements. [5]
## The day in numbers
- **19%**: Share of treated participants who still had viral control and no detectable hepatitis B surface antigen 24 weeks after ending all treatment in the reported bepirovirsen results. [1]
- **$45 million**: Upfront payment Menarini agreed to make for worldwide rights to Georgiamune’s preclinical cancer immunotherapy. [2]
- **$888 million**: Potential total value of Servier and Insilico Medicine’s oncology collaboration. [1]
## Sources
1. [Novartis drops Alzheimer’s program; Windward files for IPO; GSK wins hepatitis B approval](), European Biotechnology, 2026-10-27
2. [Menarini’s Stemline taps Georgiamune for immunotherapy: Deals Report](), BioCentury, 2026-10-27
3. [New CEO for the next level](), European Biotechnology, 2026-10-27
4. [Acumentis CEO Herspiegel steps down as Burden assumes role](), Pharmafile, 2026-10-27
5. [Judge backs Lilly in Novo lawsuit over weight-loss drug ads](), pharmaphorum, 2026-10-27
---
TheBench.Bio wrote this from the reporting cited above, with a language model drafting and editing.
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