Pharma
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While expected, Intercept's approval delay adds to NASH uncertainty
An upcoming FDA advisory meeting will be a key test for Intercept's ambitions to become the first drugmaker with an approved therapy for the liver disease.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 17, 2020 -
Lilly seeking out more 'Dermira-like' deals: report
The pharma is targeting deals between $1 billion and $5 billion every quarter, its CFO told Reuters, although the focus will be on clinical-stage assets.
By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 17, 2020 -
Neuroscience's decade, a biotech's 'crown jewel,' and Ionis gets selective
Roche, maker of the last decade's top cancer drugs, is betting that neuroscience R&D can make strides in the 2020s — an outlook that contrasts with research retreats by the pharma's peers.
By Andrew Dunn , Jacob Bell • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Alexion's neuro bet, Rubius' trial troubles and biotech's gene therapy milestones
On the first day of the JPM conference, Alexion mapped out ambitious plans in neuroscience, while Rubius did its best to explain delays in testing its first drug.
By Jacob Bell , Andrew Dunn • Jan. 14, 2020 -
With UK partnership, Novartis plots ambitious plans for new heart drug
The Swiss pharma giant will work with U.K. health officials to run a primary prevention study of inclisiran, acquired last month via a $10 billion deal for The Medicines Co.
By Andrew Dunn • UPDATED: Jan. 14, 2020 at 7:54 p.m. -
AbbVie to house Allergan Botox business in separate unit
Allergan's eyecare and specialty drugs, however, will be folded into the existing AbbVie organization once its $63 billion acquisition is complete.
By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Merck's Keytruda falls short of rivals in 1 lung cancer type
Mixed results could put Merck at a disadvantage in small cell lung cancer, a tumor type which has proved responsive to Roche's Tecentriq and AstraZeneca's Imfinzi.
By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 07, 2020 -
Merck adds to lung cancer wall with Otsuka deal
The $50 million deal with two Japanese biotechs is a small bet to match challengers in Amgen and Mirati, who are advancing agents targeting KRAS mutations.
By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 06, 2020 -
GSK's plan to take over the HIV drug market hasn't worked out
An FDA rejection and modest sales for two marketed products are challenging GSK's argument that two-drug treatments are a better way to treat HIV.
By Jacob Bell • Jan. 06, 2020 -
AstraZeneca and Merck's Lynparza cleared by FDA for pancreatic cancer
The pill is the second targeted treatment approved for pancreatic cancer, although its use is limited to only a small share of patients.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 30, 2020 -
Roche hands $1B to Sarepta in major return to gene therapy deals
The Swiss pharma acquired a muscular dystrophy treatment for markets outside the U.S. in a pact that could reach a value of $10 billion.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 23, 2019 -
Daiichi, AstraZeneca breast cancer drug joins bumper crop of early FDA approvals
AstraZeneca bet big on the Japanese pharma's HER2-targeting therapy, a gamble that paid off with a speedy approval for Enhertu.
By Jonathan Gardner • UPDATED: Dec. 23, 2019 at 10:35 a.m. -
AstraZeneca lupus drug shows potential, but it may not be enough for FDA
If approved, anifrolumab would compete against GlaxoSmithKline's Benlysta, the first lupus drug to reach the market in decades.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 19, 2019 -
GSK advances blood cancer drug to FDA, but rivals threaten
Belantamb mafodotin, a crucial drug for GSK's ambitions in oncology, could be the first anti-BCMA therapy approved. But new data show it's at risk of being outclassed.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 17, 2019 -
BeiGene's Brukinsa bet falls short against Imbruvica
The Chinese biotech's recently approved cancer drug wasn't able to beat out Imbruvica in a rare lymphoma, raising questions about its next regulatory filing.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 16, 2019 -
Novartis still hasn't solved its CAR-T manufacturing issues
Lingering difficulties in making all Kymriah product to FDA specifications has meant Novartis can't always charge for the cell therapy. New data at ASH could help the pharma's case.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Under new CEO, Sanofi stops diabetes, heart research and plans $2.2B in cost cutting
"We've been slow. We haven't empowered enough," CEO Paul Hudson said Tuesday in rolling out his strategy for the French pharma.
By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Leukemia rivals try to stay ahead as Merck, Lilly chase
Merck's surprise buyout of ArQule will heat up competition in a class of cancer drugs that includes AbbVie and J&J's Imbruvica and AstraZeneca's Calquence.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 10, 2019 -
As CAR-T presses ahead in multiple myeloma, alternative approaches gain supporters
Three different ways of attacking the blood disease are emerging, raising hopes for life-extending drugs for the sickest patients.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Sanofi buys Synthorx for $2.5B in prelude to Hudson's strategy rollout
At a hefty 172% premium for a company with little clinical data, the ambitious buyout comes a day before new CEO Paul Hudson will unveil his plans for the French pharma.
By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Dive Awards
Pharma of the Year: AstraZeneca
The rise of a new cancer drug portfolio, coupled with booming sales in China, have put AstraZeneca ahead of its pharma peers in 2019.
By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Dive Awards
Deal of the Year: Bristol-Myers Squibb buys Celgene
Whether or not the $74 billion acquisition succeeds for Bristol-Myers, its impact on biotech will be wide-reaching by erasing Celgene, one of the industry's most active dealmakers.
By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Dive Awards
The BioPharma Dive Awards for 2019
A busy year brought an upswing in a storied pharma's fortunes, an industry-shaking mega-merger and the surprise revival of an Alzheimer's drug.
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Myeloma cell therapies, now in pharma hands, move into spotlight
Long-awaited results from Bristol-Myers and Bluebird position the drugmakers to win a first-in-class CAR-T approval. Rival J&J, however, appears close behind.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 07, 2019 -
Novartis highlights 4 drugs of future in laying out R&D vision
With more than 160 drugs in clinical testing, Novartis executives highlighted a few lesser-known therapies they will prioritize in the next few years.
By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 05, 2019
