Life Sciences Daily Summary
Life Sciences Daily Summary: What Happened on October 30, 2026
Dren Bio raises $350 million as Geron stops myelofibrosis trial
The UK extended Casgevy eligibility to younger children, European regulators opened two safety reviews, and Eli Lilly lifted its 2026 revenue outlook.
Today in brief
Dren Bio raised $350 million to advance dibotatug and support research across its pipeline.12 Geron stopped its Phase III Rytelo trial in myelofibrosis after an independent committee judged the drug unlikely to improve overall survival enough to meet the study’s goal.3 The UK regulator extended Casgevy’s authorization to eligible children aged five and older with severe sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.4
The European Medicines Agency opened safety reviews of Deanxit and human normal immunoglobulin medicines.5 Eli Lilly reported 39% revenue growth and raised its 2026 outlook to $91 billion to $92 billion.6
Dren Bio raises $350 million for dibotatug and pipeline research
Dren Bio raised $350 million in a financing co-led by Juvia Group and Lightspeed Venture Partners.12 The company said it will use the proceeds to advance dibotatug through late-stage clinical evaluation and regulatory submission, and support research across several disease areas.2 Dibotatug is an antibody targeting CD94, a protein on certain immune cells, and is being studied for cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma and large granular lymphocytic leukemia.12
More than 300 people have received the drug in an ongoing Phase I/II study for relapsed or refractory forms of the two cancers.2 Dren Bio plans to study dibotatug in aplastic anemia, other bone marrow failure syndromes, and autoimmune conditions.2 Neither cancer has an approved therapy.1
Geron stops Rytelo trial after committee sees limited survival potential
Geron stopped its Phase III IMpactMF study of Rytelo after the independent monitoring committee concluded the drug was unlikely to improve overall survival enough to meet the primary endpoint.3 The committee found no new safety concerns in this patient group.3 The study enrolled 327 people with myelofibrosis.3
Geron said it will review the trial data for insights relevant to future myelofibrosis research.3 The company plans to study Rytelo with Jakafi in frontline myelofibrosis in the Phase I IMproveMF study.3
UK expands Casgevy access to children aged five and older
On October 29, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency extended Casgevy’s UK authorization to eligible children aged five and older with severe sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.4 The previous minimum age was 12.4
Casgevy alters a gene in a patient’s bone marrow stem cells, which are collected, modified in a laboratory, and infused back after conditioning treatment.4 The agency said its decision followed an assessment of safety, quality, and effectiveness evidence, and that it will continue monitoring the treatment.4
EMA reviews reports tied to Deanxit and immunoglobulin medicines
The European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee opened a review of Deanxit after reports of serious neurological and psychiatric effects in people taking the depression and anxiety medicine.5 Reported effects include movement problems and difficulties with memory or thinking, which sometimes continued after treatment ended.5
The committee is also reviewing reports of increased allergic reactions linked to particular batches of human normal immunoglobulin medicines.5 Reported reactions ranged from rash and itching to anaphylaxis and angioedema, and some batches were withdrawn after precautionary recalls in EU member states.5 Investigators have not established what caused the clusters or whether other immunoglobulin medicines may be affected.5 The review covers immunoglobulins given intravenously, under the skin, or into muscle, and the committee will seek information from manufacturers.5
Lilly raises 2026 revenue outlook as tirzepatide sales grow
Eli Lilly reported that third-quarter revenue rose 39% from a year earlier, with Mounjaro and Zepbound sales reaching $10.7 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively.6 Mounjaro sales grew 65%, while Zepbound sales increased 59%.6
Lilly raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $91 billion to $92 billion, from its previous range of $85 billion to $87 billion.6 Revenue growth was slower than in the second quarter, which the source linked largely to pricing pressure.6