BioCryst to rely on external partnerships after ending internal discovery programs

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals CEO Charlie Gayer told Fierce that the company remains committed to science and research even as it shuts down its internal discovery efforts.

Earlier this year the firm’s pipeline featured a kallikrein inhibitor for diabetic macular edema called avoralstat and a KLK5 inhibitor in phase 1 for Netherton syndrome, but the DME program was dropped in May to sharpen focus on rare diseases.

In June BioCryst closed its Discovery Center of Excellence in Birmingham, Alabama, and announced that any new pipeline candidates will come solely from external licensing or collaboration deals, with a target of adding two programs over the next 18 months.

Gayer said the company is not afraid of competition and believes the shift will allow it to concentrate resources on rare‑disease opportunities, relying on external partnerships to drive future growth.