More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

Public Company Edition: PTC sold more of its Evrysdi royalties to Royalty Pharma for $1bn. Abivax gained $235.8m in an IPO and concurrent private placement, while Cerevel grossed $450m and Nuvalent and Ultragenyx raised $300m each in follow-on offerings, but Freeline is reviewing strategic options.

In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: new AstraZeneca ADC lung cancer data seen as underwhelming; William Pao’s aspirations at Pfizer; Scholar Rock’s hopes for SMA asset; Biomarin’s Roctavian launch; and Indian lighthouses deliver gains.

Phase III study under way may lead to filing of drug meant to address muscular component of the rare disease, with existing therapies such as Spinraza targeting neurological aspects.