Bausch Health Companies Inc. has announced its acquisition of DURECT Corporation, with an upfront payment of approximately $63 million and the potential for up to $350 million in additional milestone payments based on net sales. The deal includes DURECT's novel therapeutic candidate, larsucosterol, an epigenetic modulator currently in Phase 2 trials for alcoholic hepatitis. Bausch Health aims to leverage its expertise to advance the development and commercialization of larsucosterol. Separately, Calidi Biotherapeutics has received FDA Fast Track designation for CLD-201 (SuperNova), a first-in-class stem-cell loaded viral therapy targeting soft tissue sarcoma. Additionally, Nektar Therapeutics secured Fast Track designation for Rezpegaldesleukin, intended to treat severe-to-very severe alopecia areata. These regulatory advancements highlight ongoing innovation in biopharmaceutical therapies for liver disease, cancer, and autoimmune conditions.