US senators propose FDA vouchers to expedite Ebola drug development

Lawmakers have proposed a voucher system that would give drug developers an expedited review in order to encourage the creation of as many Ebola treatments as possible.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 30, 2014

Cost-effectiveness: Treat prisoners with Sovaldi now, save money later

A new cost-effectiveness study shows that treating prisoners with Sovaldi can not only help offset long-term Medicaid costs, but prevent released prisoners from spreading hep C.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 29, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

Radiopharmaceuticals

A series of technological advances have led to an explosion of scientific progress — and dealmaking — involving medicines that can precisely deliver radioactive materials into tumors.   

By BioPharma Dive staff

Sarepta's mega-orphan Duchenne's drug faces more roadblocks

The FDA's demand for yet more data means eteplirsen approval is not likely before 2016. Sarepta's stock was down 35% on the news.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 28, 2014

Anti-inflammatories may boost the effects of antidepressants

In a meta-analysis, researchers found that anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to personalize treatment of depressed patients and enhance the effects of various antidepressants. 

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 23, 2014

Study: Parkinson's disease drugs make some patients want to party

The dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson's patients can sometimes lead to an obsession with gambling and pornography, research finds.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 22, 2014

UPDATED: GSK, NewLink Ebola vaccine trials could launch this January in Africa

But the World Health Organization (WHO) still doesn't know precisely how the trials will be constructed.

By Sy Mukherjee • Oct. 21, 2014

Study: Viagra could be used to protect against heart disease

New research published in BMC Medicine shows that long-term, daily use of Viagra (sildenafil) may provide cardiovascular protection.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 21, 2014

These anti-inflammatories may enhance the effects of schizophrenia treatment

A meta-analysis of 26 gold-standard trials suggest that aspirin, estrogen, and other anti-inflammatories may significantly enhance the effects of schizophrenia meds.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 20, 2014

Fearing creation of deadlier viruses, US tells scientists to halt bird flu research

Federal officials have decreed that certain studies involving mutant forms of the SARS, MERS, and influenza viruses be halted pending a thorough review of risks and benefits.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 20, 2014

How new FDA flexibility in breast cancer trials can help high-risk patients

Although the death rate from breast cancer has been decreasing since 2000, high-risk women still face daunting odds. New guidance issued by the FDA this month will help them.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 17, 2014

Potential Novartis psoriasis blockbuster inches closer to approval

Secukinumab's likely approval will usher in a new era wherein interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors compete head-to-head with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers in the plague psoriasis market. 

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 16, 2014

The Critical Path Initiative: 10 years later

There have been no treatment breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease since the launch of Namenda in 2003. But the Critical Path Initiative is making the AD research process more productive.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 16, 2014

Pfizer nabs FDA priority review for potential breast cancer blockbuster

Combo therapy with letrozole and the new palbociclib improves progression-free survival by 50% in advanced breast cancer patients—still short of Roche's own potential blockbuster Perjeta.

By Sy Mukherjee • Oct. 13, 2014

Severe asthma drug breathes new life into AstraZeneca pipeline

Severe asthma patients treated with benralizumab experienced up to 70% fewer exacerbations.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 10, 2014

Here come the layoffs: Targacept-AstraZeneca R&D partnership nixed

After 10 years of focused R&D on an Alzheimer’s disease drug, Targacept and AstraZenenca have called it quits.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 10, 2014

Look out, AbbVie: Here comes Amgen's Humira biosimilar

Amgen's ABP501 is emerging as a serious biosimililar contender to Humira (adalimumab), which is slated to go off patent in 2016.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 9, 2014

UPDATED: Chimerix plummets on news of Dallas Ebola patient's death

The patient was being treated with the company's experimental broad spectrum antiviral. But don't count Chimerix out just yet.

By Sy Mukherjee • Oct. 8, 2014

Catalyst Pharma to ramp up hiring after impressive orphan drug trial

Firdapse, the first-ever treatment for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, has performed will in phase III trials.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 8, 2014

BMS unexpectedly pulls application for hep C drug

Bristol-Myers Squibb is citing a "rapidly evolving" hep C treatment landscape as the reason for the decision.

By Sy Mukherjee • Oct. 7, 2014

Acacia Pharma braces for approval of potential blockbuster post-op nausea drug

Acacia is hoping that ADP421 will become a mainstay in treating post-operative nausea and vomiting, one of the most common surgical complications. 

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 7, 2014

Nobel committee announces 2014 winners in Physiology or Medicine

The prize was awarded for "discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain."

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 6, 2014

Novartis and BMS co-testing lung cancer therapies

Novartis is testing three of its lung cancer drugs in combo with one of the most talked-about cancer immunotherapy drugs in development.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 6, 2014

Optos to collaborate with UK government and universities

The $16-million collaboration is intended to develop cutting-edge optical imaging technology.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 6, 2014

Lilly abandons lupus drug after late-stage trial failures

Some data were good for Lilly’s lupus drug, tabalumab, but overall the data were not strong enough to move forward.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 3, 2014

Study: NSAID-related GI bleeding risk increases with combo therapy

It’s a bad idea to take Advil for a long period of time, and an even worse idea to take Advil with prednisone or warfarin, according to a study published in the latest issue of Gastroenterology.

By Nicole Gray • Oct. 3, 2014