Astellas Pharma

Money Moves

Holds exclusive option to license DAX-044 worldwide

Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma now holds an exclusive option to license DAX-044, a preclinical cancer therapy from Melbourne-based Audax Biosciences. The deal is worth up to $1.34 billion, including $285 million in upfront and option exercise payments and up to $1.05 billion in milestones, before royalties.

Updated Oct 31

Rule Changes

Markets fezolinetant (Veozah), one of the two nonhormonal drugs in the new guideline

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published its first menopause guideline update since 2014 on October 15. It makes hormone therapy the first choice for women under 60 or within 10 years of their last period, and it says the evidence does not support herbal or soy-based supplements, which the FDA does not regulate.

Updated Oct 26

New Capabilities

As of June 2026: Maker of the first approved CLDN18.2 drug

Advanced gastric cancer that returns after treatment usually kills within about six months. On June 4, 2026, Chinese biotech Innovent Biologics said its drug had slowed that clock in a late-stage trial.

Updated Jun 4