Massachusetts leads states' war on high drug prices

Several states have introduced legislation to force drug companies to become more transparent about development costs and drug prices. 

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 27, 2015

FTC to FDA: Ramp up oversight on homeopathic drug makers

The trade regulatory agency points out that many of the advertising claims from homeopathic drug makers are not evidence-based.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 27, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Commercialization

New drugs for obesity and Alzheimer’s look set to become blockbusters, reshaping pharma marketing strategies just as many current top-sellers near looming patent cliffs.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Pfenex at the forefront: How a different biosim approach is becoming a disruptive force

We spoke with Dr. Bert Liang, Chairman of the Biosimilars Council and CEO of Pfenex, Inc., about the rapidly growing biosimilars industry in the U.S., and what comes next for Pfenex.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 27, 2015

In big win for pharma, advocates urge WH to push broader Medicaid hep C coverage

Advocates who met with the Obama administration described some state Medicaid programs' approach to the pricey drugs as "rationing." 

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 26, 2015

How Japan is trying to beef up its pharmaceutical industry

One proposed tactic is raising government-set drug prices to spur more innovation in R&D.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 26, 2015

Why Gilead's hep C scripts are slowing down in Q3

The trend may foretell lower Q3 hep C sales, according to some analysts.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 25, 2015

Excitement over Jardiance may come at Merck's expense

A recent study suggested that Lilly/BI's Jardiance could be the first diabetes med to cut CVD risk.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 24, 2015

New tool aims to simplify cancer treatment cost/benefit analysis

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 26 cancer centers, will launch the "NCCN Scale" in mid-October. 

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 24, 2015

How Addyi will change the way we talk about sex—and what it means for marketers

We tapped into a team of experts—including a physician, a clinical sexologist, and a pharmaceutical marketing exec—to get their insights on the controversial female libido med. 

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 21, 2015

UPDATE: Sprout plots hiring binge after controversial female libido drug approval

Addyi has finally won a controversial FDA approval, and the drug's maker is already plotting big hiring plans. The drug's label comes with some strong warnings, and Sprout's marketing tactics are sure to be scrutinized.

By Nicole Gray , Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 18, 2015

FDA chastizes Duchesnay, Kim Kardashian over drug promo posts

The reality star and model has been promoting a morning sickness drug during her pregnancy. But regulators say her social media posts don't disclose all the relevant details. 

By Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 12, 2015

The challenges of China for Western drug makers

Western pharmas are seeing growth taper off in the region.  

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 10, 2015

CVS to adopt 'wait and see' approach on PCSK9 cholesterol meds

"It's smart to wait and see what the competitor medication looks like in terms of what the FDA label is," said CVS' chief medical officer in an interview with Reuters.

By Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 10, 2015

Novo's chief medical officer dishes on innovation in diabetes drug development

We spoke with Dr. Todd Hobbs about the challenges and promises of facing down an epidemic like diabetes.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 7, 2015

Bevy of factors to lift pharma sales to $1.3 trillion by 2018: Thomson Reuters

The growth drivers? New product launches, more successful clinical trials, more efficient R&D, and burgeoning international sales. 

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 5, 2015

Merck's hep C positioning strategy: Target toughest-to-treat patients

The company thinks there's enough money to go around in the hep C market that it can rake in cash alongside big-name competitors like Gilead.

By Nicole Gray • Aug. 4, 2015

Amgen raises full-year outlook on strong Q2 earnings

Amgen's second quarter earnings were up 6.9% versus last year because of stronger-than-anticipated growth and lower operating expenses.

By Nicole Gray • July 31, 2015

Kaiser CEO pens powerful op-ed on drug costs, calls for new pricing model

Bernard J. Tyson, chairman and chief executive of Kaiser, pointed out that most parts of the healthcare industry are doing "better for less"—and that it's time for biopharma to follow suit.

By Nicole Gray • July 31, 2015

Largest US benefits manager warns PCSK9 meds will 'wreak havoc' on payers

Express Scripts isn't mincing words about the price of new cholesterol meds like Sanofi/Regeneron's Praluent.

By Nicole Gray • July 30, 2015

World Hepatitis Day: The transformation and enduring struggles of HCV treatment

After many years at the forefront of hepatitis C advocacy, Alan Franciscus, founder and executive director of the Hepatitis C Support Project, discusses the ups and downs of the evolving HCV treatment landscape.

By Nicole Gray • July 27, 2015

AbbVie reports disappointing Q2 sales, better-than-expected profits

It appears that biosimilars have yet to take a big chunk out of Humira sales.

By Nicole Gray • July 27, 2015

BMS and Exelixis make headway against Novartis in kidney cancer

But the Swiss pharma giant is still defending its cancer med Afinitor.

By Nicole Gray • July 23, 2015

The FDA wants to figure out DTC ad claims' effect on consumers

The FDA wants to know whether or not DTC drug ads actually change viewers' perceptions about medications.

By Nicole Gray • July 23, 2015

Tekmira to become Arbutus, shift focus to hep B

After Tekmira's merger with OnCore in March, the combined entity now boasts that largest hepatitis B (HBV) pipeline in the industry. 

By Nicole Gray • July 21, 2015

WHO prequalifies Novartis' Coartem for malaria

The newest formulation of Coartem is the first and only high strength ACT antimalarial treatment available for large-scale public use. 

By Nicole Gray • July 20, 2015