Merck dances: Keytruda more than doubles PFS in some melanoma patients

Merck's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) continues to shine as an up-and-coming oncology treatment.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 18, 2014

How pharma has improved patients' access to drugs since 2012

Big pharma has used zero-interest loans and a greater focus on generics to bring more drugs to more people. But the Access to Medicines Foundation still worries about some marketing practices.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 18, 2014

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

Finally: FDA reverses course, OKs Sanofi's Lemtrada for MS

After being rejected by the FDA last December due to safety concerns, Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) has finally been approved—with some qualifications.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 17, 2014

Cancer immunotherapy specialist Juno Therapeutics files for IPO

Juno is working on a line of cancer immunotherapies that focus on getting T cells to track down and kill cancerous cells.

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 17, 2014

Japanese transparency data raises eyebrows about pharma spending

Japan implemented its own "Sunshine Act" last year. But it's already leading to major controversy.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 14, 2014

AstraZeneca in preclinical development for Brilinta reversal agent

As Brilinta, AZ's novel oral anticoagulant for secondary prevention of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), struggles to consolidate its rank among second-generation platelet inhibitors, its quest to develop a reversal antidote could make it the winner in a growing market.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 14, 2014

Apollo Global Manangement joins bidding wars for GSK's mature drugs

Reuter reports that Leon Black's private equity firm, Apollo, is joining the auction to bid on GSK's mature drugs—a portfolio worth roughly $3 billion.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 14, 2014

Pfizer, Gates Foundation team up to get injectable contraceptives to poor countries

Thanks to Pfizer's Depo-Provera redesign, women in 69 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe will now have access to an easy-to-use contraceptive. 

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 14, 2014

ICYMI: India's fixed-dose combo problem: Too much of a good thing?

Change is brewing in Indian pharma. But will it be enough?

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 14, 2014

Indian pharma really feeling the pain of lagging US generic approvals

Increased filings for new generic drugs, combined with increased inspections of Indian facilities beset by quality woes, has led to a severe revenue slowdown in India.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 13, 2014

Gilead, AbbVie hep C drugs score 97% cure rates, Regulus gets cold shoulder

Regulus' new hep C injectable isn't getting much love at the popular Boston liver conference. But Gilead and AbbVie have reasons to smile.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 12, 2014

10 major hospitals ask Congress to scrutinize Genentech distribution changes

In October, Ascension Health banned Genentech sales reps from its campus in response to a radical shift in distribution policy. Now, other major medical centers are piling on.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 12, 2014

Shire CEO: The future looks bright—who needs AbbVie?

Flemming Ornskov isn't sweating the busted AbbVie deal. Instead, the firm plans to concentrate on acquisitions and rare diseases to achieve an ambitious $10 billion in annual sales by 2020.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 12, 2014

Cigna responds to discrimination claims with cheaper HIV meds in Florida

After HIV advocates accused Cigna of discriminatory pricing in Florida, the insurer has put a $200 monthly limit on out-of-pocket expenses for HIV patients. 

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 11, 2014

Advocates slam protracted UK negotiations over Novartis meningitis B vaccine

UK scientists recommended that all infants should be given the vaccine back in March. But negotiations with Novartis didn't start until August—and dozens of babies have died of meningitis B since March.

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 10, 2014

Political unrest in Russia nixes deal with German pharma company

Germany-based Fresenius has changed its mind about expanding its presence in Russia through a joint venture with Sistema JSFC thanks to ongoing tensions over Ukraine.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 10, 2014

Salix Pharmaceuticals' inventory woes ruined potential Allergan buyout

A review of inventory revealed larger-than-communicated wholesaler supplies of Salix's top drug, Xifaxan (rifaximin), meaning sales will most likely be lower than anticipated.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 10, 2014

ICYMI: The top 18 pharma-backed candidates who won in last week's elections

Unsurprisingly, the U.S. pharmaceutical sector had a foot in both camps during the 2014 midterm election cycle. But just where did the money flow?

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 6, 2014

AstraZeneca lifts 2014 forecast, but how will it deal with Nexium patent expiration?

Reliable Nexium sales drove AZ to a stronger-than-expected Q3. But can it churn out enough robust next-gen therapies to blunt the blow of Nexium's impending patent expiration?

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 6, 2014

Largest US pharma benefits manager may seek alcohol/tobacco-free network

Express Scripts has been keeping a close eye on CVS Caremark's anti-tobacco crusade.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 6, 2014

Regeneron posts solid Q3 on Eylea strength

Most of Regeneron's $449 million in net earnings came from sales of Eylea (aflibercept), which have grown as the label has been expanded beyond AMD. 

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 4, 2014

Could the Sanofi CEO's firing doom a $150 million inhaled insulin deal?

Viehbacher's boot could spell trouble for the partnership despite MannKind's assurances, according to one analyst.

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 4, 2014

RAND study: Biosimilars could save US $44 billion in 10 years

"However, the magnitude of savings will depend on a number of factors, including forthcoming decisions from the FDA," said the lead researcher.

By Sy Mukherjee • Nov. 4, 2014

One-fifth of all drug sales in 2020 could be for pricey, specialty orphan meds

An EvaluatePharma report predicts 19% of all Rx drug sales will stem from orphan drugs by 2020. But will payers resist increased spending for specialty drugs?

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 4, 2014

BMS gets heat from advocates over pricing plan for its hep C drug

BMS plans to offer Daklinza (daclatasvir) at heavily discounted prices in low-income countries, but critics say that middle-income countries are being unfairly left out.

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 4, 2014