Fabry disease and lucerastat: Fabry disease is a rare inherited disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene. Patients lack enough functioning alpha-galactosidase A, an enzyme that normally breaks down a fatty substance called globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). As Gb3 accumulates in cells, it progressively damages organs, particularly the kidneys, heart and nervous system. Patients can experience nerve pain and, over time, develop kidney failure, heart problems or stroke.

Seppic has tripled the production capacity of its Ceramosides range in its Lons, France, facility. The company inaugurated a 1,400-square-meter building at the eight-hectare site. The new production unit aims to meet growing demand for purified natural actives in cosmetics and nutraceuticals. 

Why it matters: The techbio startup from Basel wants to help drugmakers identify promising diseases and patient groups before committing to expensive Phase 2 trials. Its broader claim — that simulations can replace those trials — remains to be demonstrated.

The maximum value includes development, regulatory and commercial milestones. The companies did not disclose the upfront payment or a closing date. Completion remains subject to closing conditions, and the companies will operate independently until then.

BASF has reportedly increased its bid to take over Evonik to over €11 billion (US$12.3 billion). The German chemical giant previously offered Evonik about €22.15 (US$25.16) per share, valuing Evonik’s equity at roughly €10.3 billion (US$11.7 billion). However, that was reportedly declined as too low. 

Novartis drops lifonebart in Alzheimer’s after biomarker review: The Swiss pharma group has discontinued its Phase 2 Alzheimer’s program for lifonebart (VHB937) following a preplanned data monitoring committee assessment of biomarker data. The decision appears in its third-quarter pipeline update, without numerical findings. The antibody targets TREM2, a receptor involved in regulating the brain’s immune cells. This is a separate setback from September’s ALS trial failure: at that time, the Alzheimer’s study remained underway. Novartis has not disclosed which biomarker findings drove the latest decision.

Immatics presented updates for two investigational treatments targeting PRAME, a cancer-associated protein that helps T cells identify tumors when targeted by treatment. IMA402 in particular showed an impressive 91% one-year survival rate in a subgroup of patients with advanced melanoma and high PRAME expression. We covered those announcements in more detail here.

This is an encouraging signal, but it does not yet prove that IMA402 extends patients’ lives. The data come from an ongoing Phase 1b study without a control group. Moreover, follow-up for overall survival was still relatively short, at a median of 8.8 months. The one-year rate is therefore an early estimate, rather than a comparison with an established therapy.

Why it matters: Spago’s plan illustrates Europe’s biotech financing gap: the company believes it can raise more money for its next clinical trial by leaving the stock market than by remaining listed. Its shares fell almost 54% on October 23, the day after the announcement.