At BioSpace, I reported extensively on the pharmaceutical industry, covering a wide range of topics including clinical trial outcomes, regulatory decisions, mergers and acquisitions, legal developments, biomanufacturing growth, and executive leadership changes. Below are selected samples of my work from 2015 to 2023.


​​Two Biotech CEOs Charged in Securities Fraud Schemes Dec. 21, 2022
​The U.S. Department of Justice indicted former CytoDyn Inc. CEO Nader Z. Pourhassan and the CEO of Amarex Clinical Research on multiple counts of fraud.


Biogen’s Antibody Lupus Treatment Shows Mid-Stage Promise Sept. 9, 2022

Biogen announced that its mid-stage monoclonal antibody, litifilimab, is showing promise in reducing joint pain related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lupus.


FDA Adcomm Backs Amylyx ALS Drug in Rare Second Vote Sept. 7, 2022

Following a favorable vote from an FDA advisory committee, Amylyx is one step closer to seeing its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment approved for use in the United States.


AbbVie is Enabling Students Diagnosed with Immunological Diseases to ShineJune 1, 2022

The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship provides financial support to students living with chronic, immune-mediated diseases who are pursuing higher education in the United States.

Ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes Convicted of Fraud, Sentenced to 11 Years Nov. 18, 2022

Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will serve 11 years in prison on four counts of fraud, according to her sentencing by a federal judge in a California courtroom on Friday afternoon.


Gilmore O’Neill “Excited” to Take the Reins at Editas MedicineApril 14, 2022

For some time, Gilmore O’Neill had been searching for the opportunity to take on a chief executive officer role and guide the fortunes of a pharmaceutical or biotech company. Several opportunities came his way but only one really jumped off the pages – the chance to take over Editas Medicine.


Otsuka and Sunovion Ink Neuropsychiatric Medicine Deal Worth Nearly $1 Billion Sept. 30, 2021
Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma have finalized a licensing agreement to develop and commercialize four clinical-stage neuropsychiatric compounds in a deal valued at nearly $1 billion. The four compounds are designed to take a unique approach to treating psychiatric diseases compared to current commercial products.


Growing Pains at BIO as Price Control Debate Heats Up in Washington and Within the Industry Sept. 1, 2021

Multiple reports suggest an exodus of BIO team members over price control issues. BIO reorganized its leadership structure to provide what was expected to be “long-term stability for the organization.”


Under Fire From Investors, Walmsley Outlines Vision for GSK June 23, 2021

Calling herself a “change agent,” GlaxoSmithKline Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley outlined plans to transform the pharmaceuticals business of her company following the expected spin-off of the company’s consumer health division during an investor conference.


Sanofi Executives Predict 2021 Will be ‘Transformative’ Year for Company Jan. 8, 2021

With eight drugs awaiting regulatory approval and 26 projects in Phase III studies, Sanofi is on the cusp of a transformative year during 2021. That was the message the company shared during a pre-J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference roundtable discussion with BioSpace and other journalists. Frank Nestle, Sanofi’s chief scientific officer and Global Head of Research, and Dietmar Berger, Sanofi’s chief medical officer and Global Head of Development, provided an overview of the company’s clinical activities and highlighted some of the assets that will be key revenue drives for the company.


Immuneering CEO Aims to Identify 90 Drug Programs Within Five Years Jan. 28, 2020

In drug development, assets are often aimed at a specific disease target or pathway, similar to a bullet fired from a gun. The idea of going after one precise target though, may not be the best solution for treating the totality of diseases, though. What may be more effective in the long run, is hitting a disease along multiple target lines. That’s the idea at Cambridge, Mass.-based Immuneering.


Powerful U.S. Political and Business Leaders Lost Hundreds of Millions on Theranos May 7, 2018

Failed blood-testing developer Theranos was known for its high-profile supporters who had tremendous business and political clout. Names like Rupert Murdoch, Betsy Devos and James Baker were known investors in the company.


Notorious Turing CEO Martin Shkreli Arrested for Securities Fraud Dec. 17, 2015

NEW YORK – Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical industry’s so-called “bad boy,” has been arrested on charges of securities fraud related to his tenure as chief executive officer of Retrophin Inc. (RTRX).


Alnylam’s John Maraganore Leads RNAi Development With a Bold Vision  April 1, 2016

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) is led by a chief executive with a bold vision to use RNA interference (RNAi) to develop therapies that will lead to the end of rare diseases, such as Transthyretin-related hereditary (TTR) amyloidosis and various disorders of the blood.


Evelo and Epiva Biosciences Merge to Become a Leading Immuno-Microbiome Platform Company  July 13, 2016

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Less than a year after it exited stealth mode, startup Evelo BioSciences has found a kindred spirit in another Flagship Ventures company, Epiva Biosciences. The two companies, both developing microbiome therapies, will combine efforts in a new company to become the leading immuno-microbiome platform company in the U.S.


Startup Bioz Launches With First Search Engine Built for Life Science Research July 20, 2016

PALO ALTO, Calif. – If you’re a scientific researcher a huge chunk of your time is taken up by plowing through countless articles to determine how to structure your research. That process takes a long time. Until now, there had not been a better way.

That’s where Bay Area-based Bioz comes in. The new software startup has unveiled an industry-first search engine built exclusively for the life sciences industry.


Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes Banned from Operating a Lab for Two Years July 8, 2016

PALO ALTO, Calif. – The hammer has fallen. Elizabeth Holmes, the embattled chief executive officer of blood testing company Theranos, will not be allowed to own or operate a blood testing laboratory for two years, the company announced on its website Thursday afternoon.

WRITER | EDITOR | STORYTELLER

BioSpace, based in Des Moines, Iowa, publishes news articles related to the pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences industries. Links to selected stories published on BioSpace are below.