Unity Biotechnology and Mammoth Biosciences are both turning toward cost-saving measures, prompting layoffs at both companies. Unity’s restructuring comes along with 36-week results from its phase 2b Aspire trial that weighed its investigational eye treatment UBX1325 against Regeneron’s blockbuster Eylea in patients with diabetic macular edema who had poor vision despite prior treatment. Previously, a 20-week readout in March sent stocks spiraling when it was reported that Unity’s offering failed to match Eylea. While UBX1325 was noninferior to Eylea at “most” time points through 36 weeks, according to the newly unveiled complete results, further development of the BCL-xL inhibitor could “benefit from the capabilities of a company with an existing ophthalmic franchise,” CEO Anirvan Ghosh, Ph.D., said in a May 5 release. “We are exploring partnerships so that this program can continue to be advanced as a potential new treatment,” Ghosh said. Unity is also considering a full range of strategic alternatives that could include a sale or divestiture of assets, a merger or winding the company down altogether, according to the release.

Full report : US biotech startup, Unity Biotechnology once valued at $700 million slashes entire workforce.