Express Scripts determined to influence prices for cancer drugs

The largest pharmacy benefits manager in the U.S. has already successfully forced AbbVie to provide its hep C drugs at lower prices. 

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 23, 2015

Out with the old: Merck discontinues US sales of hep C med Victrelis

The advent of Gilead's Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and other new treatment options has rendered Victrelis obsolete. 

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 22, 2015

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

Salix Pharma reportedly exploring options, considering sale

Beset by excess inventory and the loss of a potential buy-out by Allergan, Salix is working with advisors to determine what comes next.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 22, 2015

Colorado-based ViroCyt raises $3.5M to market its Virus Counter

The Virus Counter, a lab-based tech that allows scientists to determine the amount of virus particles in a sample, lets researchers get results in a matter of minutes. 

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 21, 2015

J&J's Q4 earnings: A solid 2014

Even with the negative currency impact in 2014, Johnson & Johnson had a solid year, with a 7.7% and 8.2% increase, respectively, in worldwide sales and net earnings. 

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 21, 2015

AbbVie strikes hep C discount deal with US state-based AIDS programs

Nearly a third of people with HIV are also found to be infected with hepatitis C.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 20, 2015

4 key industry trends that will impact biopharma in 2015

From increasing industry consolidation and collaboration to all-out marketing wars, here are the four trends that will matter most to the industry in the coming months and years.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 19, 2015

UPDATED: Yet another major insurance company strikes hep C deal with Gilead

The largest provider of health coverage to US businesses has chosen to procure hep C drugs from Gilead (and not AbbVie), raising the stakes in this marketing battle yet again.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 16, 2015

EXCLUSIVE: An interview with Sanofi EVP Pascale Witz at JPM15

Sanofi Executive Vice President Pascale Witz on the company's pipeline, hopes for its insulin and PCSK9 candidates, and working without a CEO.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 14, 2015

AbbVie's Humira/hep C plans, bluebird bio, NIH funding, and even more from JPM15

Everything you need to know from day 3 of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference and the Biotech Showcase 2015—including some surprising news from AbbVie.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 14, 2015

BMJ physicians urge reexamination of widespread hep C screening

A group of physicians writing for the British Medical Journal are worried that expanding hep C testing to low-risk individuals could lead to unnecessary, and even harmful, treatment.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 14, 2015

Digital marketing slowly gaining traction with US doctors

Doctors who use digital marketing prefer email over everything else, but only 24% of digital interactions actually lead to a prescription in the US.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 14, 2015

Actavis betting on conversion to new Namenda

With an ongoing antitrust court battle going on in the background, Actavis is busily trying to convert as many Namenda (memantine) patients to the new XR formulation before patent expiry sets off generic competition in July.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 14, 2015

Express Scripts, PCSK9s, Gilead, and Shire: More from JPM15 and BTS15

There was plenty of news Tuesday out of San Francisco. But Express Scripts' comments on drug pricing and Pfizer's PCSK9 pronouncements really had attendees talking.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 13, 2015

BioMarin, Merck, and Sanofi: The biggest news so far from 'JPM15' and 'BTS15'

The biggest U.S. biopharma and healthcare conference of the year began on Monday in San Francisco, and companies like Merck are already making news at the event.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 13, 2015

Cempra announces $100M stock sale after antibiotic impresses in pneumonia trials

If Cempra's antibiotic being developed for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), solithromycin, is approved, it will be the first macrolide approved since 1988.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 12, 2015

Novartis OTC advertising under fire after Pfizer complaint

Novartis claims that Theraflu "gets to work in 5 minutes." Pfizer isn't having it, and neither is the Council of Business Bureaus.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 8, 2015

AZ taps new immuno-oncology leader as two valued veterans depart

With AstraZeneca's future heavily invested in its immuno-oncology R&D, the departure of key players Rachel Humphrey and Peter Emtage is viewed as a true shake-up.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 7, 2015

Billionaire Mark Cuban to host first Pediatric Health Pitch Day at SXSW arts fest

Mark Cuban, "Shark Tank" star and billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, will be hosting an event to spur pediatric healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 7, 2015

CVS to favor Gilead hep C meds over AbbVie's, setting up showdown with Express Scripts

The marketing war between Gilead's Sovaldi/Harvoni and AbbVie's Viekira Pak just escalated considerably.

By Sy Mukherjee • Jan. 5, 2015

Massachusetts mulls legal action over marketing practices for pain drugs

Massachusetts is claiming that pain drug makers use misleading marketing practices.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 5, 2015

ICYMI: 9 big biopharma predictions for 2015, according to industry experts

9 experts weigh in on the events and trends that will matter most in biopharma in 2015.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 5, 2015

Neuroderm stock surges, then plunges, after positive Parkinson's data

On Tuesday, Israel-based Neuroderm announced breakthrough results for its Parkinson's disease therapy.

By Nicole Gray • Jan. 1, 2015

2014's 9 biggest biopharma game-changers, according to industry experts

9 experts weigh in on the events and trends that mattered most in biopharma this past year.

By Nicole Gray • Dec. 19, 2014

CVS Health: Harvoni being prescribed at 2.5 times the rate of Sovaldi

Gilead's Harvoni is slated to become an even bigger blockbuster than Sovaldi.

By Sy Mukherjee • Dec. 19, 2014