Roche hits roadblock in UK over Ocrevus price

Final guidance from NICE advised against covering the MS drug for primary progressive patients, despite a lack of other disease-modifying therapies.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Sept. 10, 2018

BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee drops Oxycontin in favor of Collegium's competitor

While still tiny next to the Oxycontin franchise, Xtampza has gained momentum as a challenger to Purdue's market dominance.

By Andrew Dunn • Updated Sept. 7, 2018

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

Invokana gains heart labeling in Europe

Among diabetes drugs, competition has increasingly been driven by the ability of companies to demonstrate the cardiovascular safety of their medicines.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Sept. 7, 2018

Gilead, Galapagos build case for JAK inhibitor with Phase 2 win

Though filgotinib offers significant benefits to patients with ankylosing​ spondylitis, the drug's real test seems to be whether it can compete in the rheumatoid arthritis market.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 6, 2018

PhRMA, hospital war over drug prices heats up

A report from the pharma lobby claims hospitals steeply upcharge meds, adding to its efforts to shift criticism on price to other groups.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Sept. 6, 2018

Generics group says branded drugmakers blocking $13B in annual savings

An AAM-backed study finds U.S. insurers, consumers and lawmakers could hold onto more money if branded drugmakers weren't taking advantage of federal programs like REMS.

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 5, 2018

Sanofi reaches $25M settlement with SEC on bribery charges

The French pharma neither admits nor denies fault to the claim it bribed government officials in the Middle East in exchange for boosted prescriptions.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Sept. 5, 2018

Shionogi launches cheaper rival to Dova's Doptelet

Doptelet's list price can run up to 70% higher than that of Shionogi's Mulpeta — a difference one analyst expects to hinder Dova's quest for market share.

By Andrew Dunn • Sept. 4, 2018

Otsuka rolls out Abilify digital pill through Magellan network

The digital pill will cost $1,650 for a 30-day supply, which includes the wearable sensor and MyCite app, according to the company.

By Susan Kelly • Sept. 4, 2018

BioPharma Dive's 10 hottest stories of the summer

Readers were drawn to news from big pharmas, like Pfizer and Roche, as well as a landmark biotech approval and new drug launches. 

By Jacob Bell • Sept. 4, 2018

Sanofi wins OK in Europe for blood disorder drug

European regulators have given the nod to Cablivi, the first approval specifically for a rare blood clotting disorder known as aTTP.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Sept. 4, 2018

EC approves GSK's Nucala for kids with severe asthma

Children as young as 6 across Europe can now use the respiratory drug.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Aug. 31, 2018

Merck's virology business needs a boost. It may not get that from 2 new HIV drugs

While company executives see Delstrigo and Pifeltro as continuing Merck's legacy in HIV, Wall Street isn't so sure the drugs can outclass market heavyweights.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 31, 2018

Alnylam's Onpattro cleared in Europe as ICER sets pricing battle

Regulators OK'd the first RNA interference therapy in Europe, but a new report finds the list price between 967% and 1,821% above value thresholds.

By Andrew Dunn • Aug. 30, 2018

Despite new approval, Bayer continues to face hemophilia headwinds

A terminated distribution partnership and stiffening market competition are threats to the German drugmaker's hemophilia business.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 30, 2018

FDA warns of link between some diabetes drugs and serious infection

SGLT2 inhibitors, a kind of Type 2 diabetes medication, have been connected with a rare and sometimes life-threatening genital infection.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Aug. 30, 2018

In a summer of C-suite departures, a week of commercial hires

Vertex, Bristol-Myers and Gilead brought new blood onto commercial leadership teams, underscoring some of the market pressures each faces.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 29, 2018

Pfizer calls out pharma peers for 'scare tactics' on biosimilars

Frustrated by slow uptake of its biosimilars, Pfizer is petitioning the FDA to set ground rules for what biologic makers can say about copycat rivals.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Aug. 29, 2018

UK's NICE judges Yescarta too pricey, dealing blow to Gilead

Cost and reimbursement issues will be a key test for Gilead as it seeks to sell its CAR-T treatment in Europe.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Aug. 29, 2018

Harvard Pilgrim offers rare peek at 6 years of drug costs

Prescription drugs accounted for 25% of total healthcare spending by the New England insurer in 2016, driven higher by specialty medicines like Humira.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Aug. 28, 2018

FDA ups the ante for copycats, antibiotics, orphan drugs. But is it working?

Regulators are using incentives to spur development of much-needed drugs. The results so far have been mixed.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 27, 2018

Cigna, Express Scripts shareholders greenlight deal

About 90% of Cigna votes were cast in favor of the acquisition, yet the $67 billion deal is still subject to a number of regulatory approvals.

By Tony Abraham • Updated Aug. 27, 2018

Lawmakers push to require price disclosure in DTC drug ads

An amendment providing HHS with funding for implementing the idea passed the Senate last week, providing some legislative backing for the Trump administration's plans. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 24, 2018

Approval in hand, Shire's next step is to deliver on high hopes for lanadelumab

Some have deemed the drug, now branded as Takhzyro, best-in-class for treating hereditary angioedema. But Shire's had setbacks in this space before.

By Jacob Bell • Aug. 24, 2018

Insurers, PBMs nudge FDA to finalize interchangeability guidance

A lack of final guidance from the FDA could be reducing patient access to biologics, according to a letter from payers, trade bodies and patient groups.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Aug. 24, 2018