STAT+: Akero team, backed by Fairmount, launches new immunology company

STAT PlusNewsletterThe Readout Akero team, backed by Fairmount, launches new immunology company FDA approves injectable Leqembi, another post-Makary reversal, and other biotech news from The Readout Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenJuly 14, 2026 National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox. The need-to-know this morning AstraZeneca is spending $600 million upfront to pick up global rights for the lung cancer drug Zegfrovy from the Chinese firm Dizal Pharmaceutical Co. The drug, an EGFR inhibitor, is approved in the U.S. and China for patients with a type of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has certain mutations, and is under review by regulatory agencies as a first-line therapy. AstraZeneca said the drug fit with its other products for EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Akero team, backed by Fairmount, launches new immunology company The former executive team of Akero Therapeutics, recently sold to Novo Nordisk, has partnered with the investment firm Fairmount, one of the sector’s most prolific company creators, to launch a publicly traded biotech centered around a long-acting immunology drug plucked from a Chinese firm. Advertisement The new company, called Avere Therapeutics, is led by Andrew Cheng, Kitty Yale, and William White, the team that ran Akero Therapeutics and developed a drug for the fatty liver disease MASH that was sold to Novo for $5 billion. Now, they will work to develop an oral IL-23 targeted drug for psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and other immunological conditions. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, drug development, drug pricing, Pharmaceuticals, research, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended Breaking News July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Biogen Alzheimer’s drug slowed decline at rates on par with approved therapies, study shows Biotech July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Drug metabolism AI competition results show that bigger may not always be better Advertisement Health July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: Dementia study replicates promising outcomes following risk-reduction strategies The Readout July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: All eyes on data on Biogen’s tau therapy Biotech July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: A breakthrough in pancreatic cancer has experts excited — and braced for what’s to come Subscriber Picks