Peter Hecht's New Syndicate with $81M Backing for Fresh Start-up Success

Peter Hecht, former CEO of Cyclerion, is close to completing a deal to take his two assets into a new company with $81 million in investment to develop drugs for mitochondrial dysfunction. The FDA advisory committee voted 8-6 in favor of Sarepta Therapeutics' gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the FTC's attempt to block Amgen's proposed $28 billion buyout of Horizon Therapeutics has raised concerns about federal oversight of a sector gearing up for an active M&A year. Allergan Aesthetics' new delivery method for hyaluronic acid has been approved by the FDA, while a recent study from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) shows that pharma podcast advertising is picking up the pace.