The Longfellow Letter

Pasteur’s reflection is a critical reminder for any founder or innovator: breakthroughs are not born from singular moments of genius, but forged through relentless persistence. He attributed his monumental success not to superior intellect, but to an unwavering refusal to abandon a problem in the face of difficulty. For leaders in an industry defined by long development cycles and frequent setbacks, this quote underscores that the defining trait of success is the operational grit to push through obstacles when others would quit.

A French chemist and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur’s work formed the bedrock of modern medicine and microbiology. Though not a physician, his discoveries had an immense impact on both industry and human health. He proved that microbes cause fermentation and disease, inventing “pasteurization” to save France’s wine and silk industries and establishing the germ theory of disease. This work led directly to the development of vaccines for anthrax and rabies, saving countless lives. His journey was marked by intense opposition from the scientific establishment and personal hardship, including a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, yet he continued his research—a testament to the tenacity he prized.

MassBio Align Summit

• Date(s): October 7, 2025
• MassBio’s premier conference connecting the region’s most promising biotech startups with funders and strategic partners. 

Fierce Biotech Week

• Date(s): October 7–9, 2025
• This summit brings together leaders from across the life sciences to discover the latest scientific breakthroughs and optimize R&D and clinical operations. 

MA Bio Pharma Networking Group October Event

• Date(s): October 21, 2025
• An informal evening for biopharmaceutical professionals to mingle, share insights, and build connections within the local ecosystem.

Biogen Halts All AAV Gene Therapy Programs in Strategic Pivot

• Source: Fierce Biotech
• Summary: Biogen is discontinuing all gene therapy programs that use adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids, reallocating resources to other modalities with a higher perceived probability of success.  
• The C&C Take: This is a significant strategic retreat from a major local player, reflecting broader industry headwinds in the AAV space. For founders, it’s a stark reminder that even established delivery technologies are subject to intense scrutiny on capital allocation, placing a higher premium on de-risked platforms and novel delivery mechanisms.

Fractyl Health’s Revita Shows Durable Weight Loss Post-GLP-1s in Key Study

• Source: Fractyl Health
• Summary: Data from a randomized study showed that Burlington-based Fractyl Health’s one-time Revita procedure helped patients continue to lose weight three months after discontinuing GLP-1 therapy, whereas the sham group regained a significant amount of weight.  
• The C&C Take: In a market grappling with the adherence, cost, and durability challenges of GLP-1s, this is a major signal for a potential “off-ramp” therapy. This positions a device-based metabolic reset as a powerful contender for the next chapter in obesity care, creating a new category for investors focused on long-term value beyond chronic drug administration.

Biogen’s LEQEMBI Gains Approval in China for IV Maintenance Dosing

• Source: Biogen
• Summary: Biogen announced that its Alzheimer’s treatment LEQEMBI has been approved in China for intravenous maintenance dosing, following its initial approval for treatment initiation.  
• The C&C Take: This approval expands access in a massive market and streamlines the long-term administration of a complex biologic. For executives, it highlights the critical importance of life-cycle management and regulatory strategy in non-US markets to maximize the commercial footprint of a blockbuster therapy.

The Four-Decade Evolution of Monoclonal Antibodies

The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that form the backbone of modern biologics are the result of a 40-year journey of technological refinement. The first therapeutic mAb approved in 1986, Muromonab-CD3, was a fully murine (mouse) protein. While a scientific landmark, its non-human origin triggered a strong immune response in patients, limiting its efficacy and safety. This fundamental challenge spurred the next wave of innovation: chimeric antibodies, which fused the mouse variable regions (the “targeting” domains) onto a human antibody backbone. This reduced immunogenicity, but the real breakthrough came with “humanized” antibodies, where only the hyper-specific antigen-binding loops (the CDRs) were of mouse origin, grafted onto an otherwise fully human antibody. The final step in this evolution was the development of fully human antibodies, produced using transgenic mice or phage display technologies, culminating in the approval of adalimumab in 2002. This progression from fully foreign to fully human proteins was the critical path that transformed mAbs from a scientific curiosity into a dominant, multi-hundred-billion-dollar class of safe and effective therapeutics.