Humira joins its biosimilars on TrumpRxBiogen joins forces with Alloy on antisense platformLilly amends tau tie-up with AC ImmuneVertex partners with Halozyme on drug-delivery techRenovare launches to develop regenerative osteoarthritis therapiesHumira joins its biosimilars on TrumpRxAbbVie's former megablockbuster Humira (adalimumab) has made its debut on TrumpRx, where patients can purchase a month's supply of the anti–TNF-α mAb for $950 in cash. While the pricetag is an 86% discount from Humira's nearly-$7000 list price, the government-run direct-to-consumer (DTC) site also offers a pair of Humira biosimilars at half, or less, the price of the name-brand autoimmune disease drug. Pfizer's biosimilar, Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb) is available for $415.20 per month, and Amgen's Amjevita (adalimumab-atto) has a monthly cash-pay price of $299.Meanwhile, Gilead's flu medication, Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), was also listed on TrumpRx this week for $50, matching the cash-pay price offered on the drugmaker's DTC platform.-Elizabeth EatonBiogen joins forces with Alloy on antisense platformAs part of a deal announced Tuesday, Biogen will use Alloy Therapeutics' AntiClastic antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) platform to advance antisense therapeutics against multiple undisclosed targets. Alloy is eligible to receive an undisclosed upfront payment, as well as milestones and tiered royalties on products resulting from the collaboration.The AntiClastic ASO platform is designed to address potency and therapeutic index challenges that have historically held back the promise of antisense drugs due to limited biodistribution. Alloy noted that the platform enables drug developers to realise the full potential of antisense therapeutics by reaching intracellular disease targets at the RNA level. "This collaboration reflects Biogen's commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and exploring novel approaches to address complex diseases," said Jane Grogan, Biogen's head of research.-Matthew DennisLilly amends tau tie-up with AC ImmuneEli Lilly and AC Immune have amended their 2018 collaboration to develop small molecule tau aggregation inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, adding new lead and back-up Morphomer Tau candidates — which are able to enter the brain when dosed orally and bind to the protein's pathological conformation — to the collaboration. According to AC Immune, Morphomer small molecules can target intracellular tau, and "strong preclinical data" suggest they "should be clinically relevant for inhibiting aggregation and seeding across pathological and disease stages." IND-enabling studies are slated to begin this half.Under the amended deal, AC Immune will receive CHF10 million ($12.5 million) upfront and an extra milestone payment upon Phase I dosing, in addition to milestones announced in a previous deal revision. The company remains eligible for further development, regulatory and commercial milestones exceeding CHF1.7 billion ($2.1 billion), along with tiered royalty payments.-Anna BratulicVertex partners with Halozyme on drug-delivery techVertex Pharmaceuticals has licensed Halozyme Therapeutics' Hypercon microparticle technology for use in up to three drug targets, the companies announced Tuesday. "We are pleased to add…[the] drug-delivery technology to our toolbox as we pursue transformative therapies for patients with serious diseases," said Mark Bunnage, chief scientific officer of Vertex.The Hypercon technology allows for hyperconcentration of drugs and biologics, thus reducing injection volume for the same dosage and enabling at-home administration. The technology has previously been licensed to argenx, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen unit.Under the deal, Vertex will make a $15 million upfront payment to Halozyme and is on the hook for undisclosed milestones, with the latter also entitled to sales royalties on products developed using the Hypercon technology.-Matthew DennisRenovare launches to develop regenerative osteoarthritis therapiesRenovare Therapeutics emerged from stealth on Monday, announcing a collaboration with the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder under a US government contract worth up to $33.5 million to develop regenerative treatments for osteoarthritis.The funding, awarded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under its Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis (NITRO) programme, will support IND-enabling and Phase I safety studies for Renovare's lead assets. These therapies aim to be regenerative, potentially halting and reversing disease progression."With Renovare’s technologies having broad applicability beyond osteoarthritis, we are excited to build a biotechnology company of significant value to patients, providers, and community stakeholders," said CEO Liz Scott.-Pavan Kamat