Merck, UnitedHealth explore improving value-based contracts

The big pharma and insurer are working on a multiyear project aimed at better understanding and optimizing pay-for-performance deals.

By Jacob Bell • May 26, 2017

Industry Pulse: Aging blockbusters tax bottom lines

A number of pharmas face declining sales and tougher competition to once-dominant brands. Here are eight charts showing which companies are most at risk. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 26, 2017

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

Roche looks into PML report for Ocrevus patient

A case of the deadly brain disease has surfaced in a patient who took the new MS drug, but also has a history of taking Biogen's Tysabri. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 25, 2017

Merck may face financial fine for anti-competitive pricing

A U.K. regulator has issued a provisional ruling against Merck, Sharp & Dohme for engaging in anti-competitive pricing to defend Remicade sales from biosimilar competition.

By Barbara Boughton • May 24, 2017

Merck's Keytruda gets first nod in genetically-defective tumors

The anti-PD-1 drug locked down another indication, this time for solid tumors that have defective genetic code.

By Jacob Bell • May 24, 2017

AstraZeneca offloads more non-core assets

The British drugmaker has worked to trim its portfolio, selling off older drugs to help offset revenue declines from key products.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 23, 2017

EMA recommends 11 drugs for approval in May meeting

The list of CHMP-backed new treatments included Sanofi's biosimilar Humalog, LEO Pharma's brodalumab and Gedeon Richter's cariprazine.

By Jacob Bell • May 22, 2017

Patient centricity is important, but customer centricity is imperative

It's time for pharma companies to reinvent the way they go to market and find new ways to connect with physicians, provider organizations, payers and patients.

May 18, 2017

Vertex bumps sales guidance on new Kalydeco approval

Approval will expand the market for Kalydeco by approximately 900 people who have one of 23 specific mutations to a key gene involved in cystic fibrosis. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 18, 2017

Akebia partners with Vifor to expand distribution of anemia drug

The Cambridge biotech announced a licensing deal that will give it exclusive access to sell vadadustat to one of the largest U.S. dialysis providers, pending approval. 

By Barbara Boughton • May 17, 2017

FDA warns of higher amputation risk for J&J's Invokana

Results from two clinical studies showed the risk of amputation was roughly double for the SGLT-2 inhibitor compared to placebo. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 17, 2017

Finding the right formula for engaging busy doctors

Providing physicians with short, multi-channel marketing materials targeted at critical decision-making phases could help increase awareness and build loyalty. 

By Roni Robbins • May 16, 2017

Drug adherence: What you need to know

One of the biggest problems in the medical field is patients not taking their drugs or using them improperly. When patients are non-adherent, drugs don't work. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 15, 2017

Novartis set to ride Entresto wave, says report

At least one analyst thinks Novartis is being underestimated and expects the launch of Entresto to continue to accelerate, boosting full-year earnings. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 15, 2017

5 trends changing drug adherence for the better

Many things can affect whether a patient takes a drug as prescribed, but stakeholders are intervening in order to make patients more compliant with their meds.

By Lisa LaMotta • May 15, 2017

EU investigating generic drugmaker over cancer drug price hikes

The EC's scrutiny of Aspen Pharma is the regulator's first formal investigation of excessive pricing in the pharma industry. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 15, 2017

Can value-based deals work if patients don't take the drug?

Drugmakers and payers are experimenting with how to align a drug's price with its value. Ensuring patient adherence is the first step to making sure the innovative deals get off the ground.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 15, 2017

Medication adherence: The secret sauce for better outcomes?

Rates of non-adherence vary widely and depend on condition, price and other issues. But unfilled prescriptions and missed doses cost the healthcare system billions annually.

By Malorye Allison Branca • May 15, 2017

Second Advair copy rejected, giving GSK short-term respite

Hikma Pharmaceuticals said it had received a complete response letter from the FDA, likely meaning GSK will dodge generic competition to its bestseller this year. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 11, 2017

Merck bolsters I/O edge with Keytruda combo approval

Approval is expected to help Merck cement market share in the lucrative lung cancer market and stay a step ahead of fast-moving rivals. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 11, 2017

J&J discloses DOJ investigations into marketing, advisory practices

U.S. officials are looking into the healthcare heavyweight's sales protocols for four drugs: Remicade, Stelara, Olysio and Simponi.

By Jacob Bell • May 10, 2017

PhRMA ousts 22 drugmakers from ranks in membership change

The trade group will now require its members average at least $200 million a year in R&D spending, stricter standards aimed at defusing criticism over price hikes. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 10, 2017

Bavencio snags bladder cancer approval ahead of goal date

The FDA's accelerated approval of Merck KGaA and Pfizer's checkpoint inhibitor means more competition in second-line bladder cancer.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 10, 2017

Sanofi joins pharma pricing pledge ranks

The French pharma is the latest company to vow to keep price increases at a minimum and be transparent about pricing practices.

By Lisa LaMotta • May 9, 2017

PTC to launch DMD drug with still-high price tag

The biotech wasn't completely transparent with investors when announcing a net price of $35,000 for the old steroid; a wholesale acquisition cost is still unknown. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 9, 2017