Regeneron and Sanofi's Dupixent gains asthma approval

An OK from the FDA broadens the addressable market for Regeneron and Sanofi's biologic, but Dupixent will face stiff competition in asthma.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 22, 2018

FDA delays decision on Bristol-Myers' lung cancer combo

A longer review for the pharma's pairing of Opdivo and Yervoy in first-line non-small cell lung cancer appeared to trigger a 5% stock drop Monday.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 22, 2018

FDA unconvinced by Novartis pitch for canakinumab

The agency knocked back an application for approval of the drug, already on the market as Ilaris, as a treatment for cardiovascular risk reduction. 

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 19, 2018

Acacia Pharma pitches quick path to refiling Barhemsys

A Complete Response Letter from the FDA earlier this month derailed Acacia's plans for its lead drug, but it hopes to soon get back on track.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 18, 2018

CMS' Verma blasts Medicare for all, touts efforts on drug costs

Verma also hinted at further options for Medicare Part D to lower prices. "We are working toward additional regulatory flexibility in this area, so stay tuned," she said.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 17, 2018

Alnylam nixes accelerated approval plans for givosiran, pushing back timeline

The biotech will begin a rolling filing to the FDA this year, but doesn't anticipate completing submission of the RNAi therapy until the middle of next year.

By Andrew Dunn • Oct. 15, 2018

FDA sets another record in 2018 for generic drug approvals

Approvals climbed higher for the second consecutive year, as the agency has prioritized approving copycat drugs to boost competition.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 12, 2018

Trevena's opioid gets thumbs down from FDA adcomm

While the FDA doesn't have to follow the advice of the panel, the negative vote doesn't bode well for the fate of oliceridine. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 12, 2018

Regulators wary of how McKesson handles illegitimate drugs

A Form 483 issued in July found the drug distributor didn't have proper systems for addressing illegitimate products when they came through its facilities.

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 11, 2018

US tightens scrutiny of foreign investment into biotech sector

New rules put in place by the Treasury Department would expand review of foreign investments in biotechnology R&D and 26 other critical industries.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 11, 2018

As clock ticks, EMA launches 3rd phase of Brexit plan

The agency has started to scale back non-urgent activities as its move to Amsterdam draws closer.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 11, 2018

Congress expands Sunshine payment reporting rules

Under a bill expected to be signed by President Trump, companies would report payments to a longer list of healthcare professionals, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Oct. 11, 2018

FDA clears Vertex, CRISPR to test gene-editing therapy in sickle cell patients

With a clinical hold dating back to May resolved, the companies said they plan to start a Phase 1/2 study of CTX001 in the U.S. by year's end.

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 10, 2018

Trump signs law allowing FTC to scrutinize biosimilar deals

A former FTC lawyer said the new law, which also deals with pharmacy gag clauses, will clarify the commission's authority to routinely review such deals.

By Andrew Dunn • Updated Oct. 10, 2018

Trevena shares sink on FDA concerns ahead of key panel meeting

Briefing documents from FDA staff revealed the agency hadn't agreed to parts of Trevena's plans to measure its candidate's safety profile. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 9, 2018

Approval puts Bausch step closer to dermatology turnaround

It's welcome news for Bausch's struggling dermatology portfolio, which saw the FDA reject another key psoriasis candidate in June.

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 8, 2018

FDA clears rare disease therapy from Akcea, Ionis

Tegsedi will challenge Alnylam's rival drug Onpattro, which is OK'd for the same condition. A black box warning, however, could weigh on Tegsedi's prospects. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 5, 2018

FDA to call out drugmaker misuse of citizen petitions

Agency chief Scott Gottlieb aims to dissuade companies from abusing citizen petitions as a means of delaying generic competition. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 3, 2018

Regeneron wins early approval for cancer immunotherapy

Although Libtayo arrives years behind its PD1-blocking peers Keytruda and Opdivo, Regeneron is convinced it can still become an immuno-oncology player.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Sept. 29, 2018

Cancer drug approval expands Pfizer's targeted therapy ambition

While Pfizer lags its rivals in immuno-oncology, approval of Vizimpro should help the pharma treat lung cancer patients with specific mutations.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Sept. 28, 2018

Lilly's migraine drug wins US approval, pressuring rivals Amgen, Teva

Two rival drugs are already OK'd for sale, setting the migraine market up for fierce competition. Who wins out may depend on how payers react.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Sept. 27, 2018

GW Pharma clears last big hurdle for cannabis-based Epidiolex with DEA rescheduling

The first plant-derived cannabinoid medicine OK'd by the FDA has been reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule V, opening the door for marketing.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 27, 2018

Sarepta clears up clinical hold for gene therapy

The micro-dystrophin program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy looks back on track roughly two months after regulators put it on pause.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 24, 2018

UK High Court OKs Avastin off-label use in wet AMD

Doctors in the north of England have won the right to use Avastin to treat wet age-related macular degeneration.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Sept. 24, 2018

Sarepta strikes out again with European regulators

Despite backing more than a dozen other drugs at its September meeting, the CHMP for a second time refused to support eteplirsen's marketing OK.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 21, 2018