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Jia Jie Chen

Jia Jie Chen

Freelance opinion writer

Jia Jie Chen writes analyses focusing on drug development in the biotech and pharma industries for BioSpace. He has a doctorate degree in pharmacy and experiences ranging from biotech equity research to business intelligence analysis. Follow him on LinkedIn.

3D illustration of neurons
Opinion
Companies Vie to Develop a Hunter Syndrome Therapy That Reaches the Brain
Several companies—including JCR Pharmaceuticals, Denali Therapeutics and Regenxbio—have products in the pipeline that could improve treatment options for this rare disease.
February 3, 2025
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
illustration of people racing along arrows
Opinion
Competition for Achondroplasia Treatments Heats Up Slowly
Achondroplasia, which affects around one in 20,000 babies, has just one approved treatment: BioMarin’s Voxzogo. However, new investigational treatments are vying to compete in the area.
January 27, 2025
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4 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Courtesy Getty Images
Opinion
New Treatments for Celiac Disease Gain Traction
There are currently no treatments available for celiac disease beyond a gluten-free diet. Several late-phase companies aim to change the paradigm and deliver hope and progress soon.
January 21, 2025
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Opinion
New Therapies Are Set to Upend the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Treatment Space
Vertex may have pivoted away from the space, but candidates in development by Arrowhead/Takeda, Wave, Korro and others could address the damage underlying alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and make today’s treatments a thing of the past.
October 28, 2024
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Illustration of a brain with DNA strands in the background
Opinion
Cell and Gene Therapy Shows Early Promise Against Alzheimer’s—But Challenges Remain
Longeveron and Lexeo Therapeutics are working on CGT therapies to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s not clear whether they have a better chance of success than traditional approaches.
August 5, 2024
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4 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: A volcano erupting of damaged and inflamed nerves
Opinion: Annexon Tackles Guillain-Barre, Other Inflammatory Diseases with Novel Antibody
With Phase III trial results looming in the second quarter of 2024, Annexon Biosciences aims to transform treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome with its investigational antibody, ANX005. The candidate is also being trialed in Huntington disease and ALS.
May 21, 2024
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: A kidney with IgA antibodies/Taylor Tied
Drug Development
Opinion: Travere’s Filspari Could Lead IgA Nephropathy Market
With its first-in-class endothelin and angiotensin II receptor antagonist Filspari, Travere Therapeutics is providing a more efficacious treatment option for the rare autoimmune disease.
April 28, 2024
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: A hand holding syringe and pills over an
Drug Development
Opinion: Larimar Could Compete with Biogen in Friedreich’s Ataxia
Phase II data indicate Larimar Therapeutics’ injectable therapy nomlabofusp could go head-to-head in the market with Biogen’s Skyclarys.
April 21, 2024
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: Human torso highlighting the liver with a liver cell background/Taylor Tieden for BioSpace
Drug Development
Opinion: Akero and Madrigal Face Off in the MASH Space
While Madrigal Pharmaceuticals secured the first FDA drug approval for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis, Akero Therapeutics is developing what may serve as a viable alternative treatment for precirrhotic disease.
April 15, 2024
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4 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: Illustration showing a downward graph tr
Drug Development
Opinion: Akero’s Three-Step Plan to Win Back Investors
Shares of Akero Therapeutics took a hit after the company missed the primary endpoint in a Phase IIb study of efruxifermin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
October 12, 2023
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
bone marrow slide showing multiple myeloma/iStock,
Drug Development
Despite Early Success, Karyopharm’s Selinexor Faces Uncertain Path to Expansion
While achieving FDA approvals in rare cancers such as multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Karyopharm’s cancer drug has a variety of scientific and market hurdles to clear.
September 15, 2023
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Scientific data analysis concept_iStock, gorodenko
Drug Development
Opinion: Reexamination of Failed DMD Trial a Much-Needed Reckoning for FibroGen
A thorough reassessment of the confounders between FibroGen’s trials is necessary to salvage the company’s Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy program and regain investor confidence.
September 7, 2023
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2 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: Colorful illustration of a human brain d
Opinion: Neuroactive Steroids Face Hurdles on the Path to Bigger Markets
As the FDA’s recent rejection of Biogen and Sage’s zuranolone for major depressive disorder highlights, biopharma companies will need to tackle emerging challenges to bring more of these drugs to patients.
August 24, 2023
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: Loaded syringe and opioids_iStock, Darwi
Drug Development
Opinion: What to Expect From an Experimental Anti-Abuse Opioid Drug
Although still in early-stage testing, Ensysce Biosciences’ formulation has demonstrated the potential to address addiction problems associated with oral oxycodone.
May 25, 2023
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
Pictured: Sarepta sign on a brick building/courtes
Policy
Opinion: Sarepta Enters Uncharted Territory with Adcomm Approval
The extensive discussion between the FDA’s advisory committee, company representatives and other interested parties could serve as a cautionary tale to developers of future gene therapies.
May 18, 2023
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3 min read
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Jia Jie Chen
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