At gene therapy meeting, insurance execs grapple with expected cost

As more gene therapies move closer to market, questions around pricing and reimbursement have taken on greater urgency for regulators, payers and drugmakers.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 30, 2019

Praluent scores heart label, matching Amgen's rival Repatha

The cholesterol drug from Sanofi and Regeneron is now approved for prevention of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 29, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Commercialization

New drugs for obesity are becoming blockbusters, while Trump administration pressure is reshaping pharma marketing strategies ahead of looming patent cliffs.

By BioPharma Dive staff

AbbVie wins hep C contract with Washington state in latest 'Netflix' deal

Louisiana inked a similar agreement last month with a Gilead subsidiary, pioneering a model that aims to boost access while containing drug costs.

By Andrew Dunn • Updated April 26, 2019

Praluent's lower list price isn't yielding better sales yet

Though the Sanofi-Regeneron cholesterol drug took a 60% list price cut in March, stateside sales were down 27% due to "significantly increased rebates."

By Jacob Bell • April 26, 2019

Novartis chief defends cell, gene therapy push

CEO Vas Narasimhan has bet heavily on complex medicines, but the pharma's first quarter earnings show that plan is a work in progress.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 24, 2019

'Meet PillPack': Amazon rolls out Rx delivery direct marketing

The marketing provides a peek behind the curtain of the famously secretive e-commerce giant, which has edged into healthcare in recent years.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 24, 2019

Competition and donut hole discount takes toll on Xarelto sales

Johnson & Johnson, which sells Xarelto in the U.S., saw first quarter sales for the anticoagulant decline 6% despite pricing and prescription increases.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 23, 2019

Patient centricity: Buzzword or rebirth of the CRO industry?

Now that patient centricity is popularizing, CROs are scrambling to look good for sponsors, investors, and patients.

By Natania Barron, Director Global Marketing • April 23, 2019

Sandoz takes United Therapeutics to court for 'anticompetitive' behavior

The generics arm of Novartis recently launched a copycat version of United's top-seller Remodulin, but says a "secret arrangement" is preventing patients from getting it.

By Jacob Bell • April 18, 2019

$300M loan boosts launch of TherapeuticsMD hot flash pill

Bijuva marketing is beginning thanks to an immediate $200 million cash infusion, with the remainder released on regulatory and sales milestones.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 18, 2019

PhRMA's DTC defense rolls out on airwaves and online

While the Trump administration proceeds with a plan to require list price disclosures in TV ads, drugmakers moved ahead with their own efforts — to varying degrees. 

By Andrew Dunn • April 17, 2019

J&J drugs sales outperform despite generic hit

Kicking off first quarter earnings for the industry, J&J managed to post better-than-expected pharma results despite falling Zytiga sales in the U.S.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 16, 2019

Its ambitions restrained, Amgen sets modest Evenity price

The bone-building osteoporosis drug will carry a list price of $21,900 for a full course of treatment, a discount to competitors from Eli Lilly and Radius.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 16, 2019

Walking the walk: How pharma companies can deliver patient-centric experiences

Few pharma companies deliver on the promise of patient centricity. Here’s what it takes to be truly patient-centric.

By Hensley Evans • April 16, 2019

'Female Viagra' keeps alcohol black box warning amid FDA dispute with Sprout

The regulator was dissatisfied with the design of a post-marketing study that tested the effects of drinking alcohol while on the Addyi pill.

By Andrew Dunn • April 12, 2019

Why Alder thinks its late-comer migraine drug can succeed

Yet, with three competitors already on the market, carving out a niche will be a tall task for the Washington state-based biotech.

By Andrew Dunn • April 11, 2019

Sanofi expands insulin savings program, but affordability still an issue

Starting in June, the program will offer up to 10 boxes of pens, insulin vials or a combination of the two for $99 per month for certain patients. 

By Jacob Bell • April 10, 2019

Indivior draws criminal indictment for opioid marketing practices

The federal government is seeking a $3 billion judgment and forfeiture of all assets, raising concerns about whether the company can survive.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 10, 2019

Time to test GSK's 2-drug HIV theory

With the highly anticipated approval of Dovato, GSK will soon get to see how many HIV patients gravitate to treatment regimens with fewer drugs.

By Jacob Bell • April 9, 2019

Coherus' Neulasta biosimilar surprises with strong early uptake

Shares in Coherus rose by as much as 25% after preliminary sales numbers for Udenyca came in seven times higher than what Wall Street had expected. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 8, 2019

340B hospital program leads to higher costs, PhRMA says

The research is the latest skirmish in a battle over the program, which health systems argue helps hospitals access affordable prescription drugs.

By Les Masterson • April 8, 2019

What to look for after Zolgensma's launch

An ICER report provides clues on how payers will hedge their reimbursement bets for a likely million-dollar neuromuscular-disease treatment.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 4, 2019

AARP report offers window into generic drugmaker pain

Retail prices for knock-off medicines fell 9.3% in 2017, the group found. While good for patients, continued declines have put generic drugmakers in a bind.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 4, 2019

Purdue searched for new advertising agency: report

AdWeek says it obtained an email from Purdue's procurement department that details how the pharma was looking for a DTC advertising agency to promote a new product.

By Jacob Bell • April 3, 2019

Cigna, Express Scripts pledge to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs

Insulin makers and PBMs have faced rising pressure amid outrage over the cost of insulin, a lifesaving drug that's become a flashpoint for pricing concerns.

By Samantha Liss • April 3, 2019