Pharma: Page 2
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Courtesy of Eli Lilly
Lilly builds case for COVID-19 drug cocktail with new data
A low-dose combination of Lilly antibodies for COVID-19 reduced deaths and hospitalizations in a Phase 3 trial, a finding that could boost its use.
By Kristin Jensen • March 10, 2021 -
Courtesy of Takeda
Taking a page from Celgene, Takeda builds and buys a cancer biotech
An agreement to acquire Maverick Therapeutics for up to $525 million has roots in a plan hatched by Takeda to emulate elements of Celgene's dealmaking strategy.
By Ben Fidler • March 09, 2021 -
Novartis
Novartis bid to bring rare disease drug to lung cancer hits a roadblock
Promising signs from a cardiovascular trial had led the Swiss firm to test canakinumab, a drug for rare immune diseases, in lung cancer. But the first test of that theory has failed.
By Jonathan Gardner • March 09, 2021 -
Courtesy of Roche
Spurred by FDA review, Roche pulls Tecentriq for bladder cancer use
Four years after negative study results, the pharma withdrew the indication as the FDA's "industry-wide evaluation" of accelerated approvals progresses.
By Jonathan Gardner • March 08, 2021 -
Courtesy of AstraZeneca
Crucial data on AstraZeneca's vaccine are coming. Here's what we may learn.
Results from previous trials have raised questions about the vaccine and how well it works. Data from a large U.S. study could help clear up the confusion.
By Ben Fidler • March 08, 2021 -
Lilly says diabetes shot outperformed rival Novo drug in study
The results are a boost for Lilly's drug, tirzepatide, which is being prepared for regulatory submissions later this year. But long-term heart data won't be available for some time.
By Jonathan Gardner • March 04, 2021 -
Lilly drug regrows hair in autoimmune disease study, but safety questions linger
The results could help baricitinib become the first treatment for alopecia areata, a leading cause of hair loss. Safety concerns have diminished the drug's prospects in arthritis, however.
By Ben Fidler • March 03, 2021 -
Getty Images
Merck to help J&J make vaccine doses in White House-brokered deal
The U.S. government will give Merck $269 million to help the drugmaker retool two of its facilities to make J&J's one-dose shot.
By Jonathan Gardner • UPDATED: March 2, 2021 at 5:16 p.m. -
Merck withdraws Keytruda in type of lung cancer amid 'industry-wide' review by FDA
Since December, three drugmakers have withdrawn immunotherapies from indications previously granted fast-tracked approvals, suggestive of broader FDA concerns.
By Ben Fidler • March 02, 2021 -
Permission granted by Johnson & Johnson
J&J's 1-dose coronavirus vaccine becomes third available in US
A CDC vaccine panel recommended use of the shot on Sunday following FDA authorization, and McKesson began shipping out doses to states Monday.
By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: March 1, 2021 at 1:28 p.m. -
Jacob Bell
AstraZeneca withdraws immunotherapy in bladder cancer after trial failure
The British drugmaker's decision to pull Imfinzi from what was its first approved treatment setting hints at the limitations of immuno-oncology drugs.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 22, 2021 -
Sanofi Pasteur
Sanofi and GSK start trial of upgraded coronavirus vaccine after first version disappoints
The companies think a new formulation will yield better results than their first attempt. But with several vaccines available, testing may be more challenging.
By Ben Fidler • Feb. 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of BioNTech
Pfizer, BioNTech ask FDA approval to ease temperature requirements for coronavirus shot
Testing showed the vaccine could be safely stored at normal freezer temperatures, rather than the roughly minus 70 degrees Celsius now specified. The change, if cleared by the agency, will help distribution.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 19, 2021 -
Lilly wagers almost $1B on Rigel's drugs for immune and nervous systems
For $125 million up front, Lilly secures rights to a drug about to enter mid-stage testing for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as preclinical assets targeting the central nervous system.
By Jacob Bell • Feb. 18, 2021 -
Gates Foundation backs Novartis' search for a sickle cell cure
An initial grant will support a research team at Novartis' R&D labs whose sole focus will be to develop a single-administration gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
By Jacob Bell • Feb. 17, 2021 -
Novartis
Novartis expects sales lift from expanded heart drug approval
The Swiss drugmaker's pill Entresto is now cleared in the U.S. for use in patients with stronger hearts, expanding the eligible population by two-thirds.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 17, 2021 -
FDA approves Regeneron drug for rare genetic form of high cholesterol
The biotech set an average annual price of $450,000 for the first-of-its-kind drug, which treats a condition affecting about 1,300 people in the U.S.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 12, 2021 -
Courtesy of AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca plans for adapting vaccine to coronavirus variants, but offers longer timeline than rivals
The drugmaker says between six to nine months are needed to ramp up production of an adapted shot. South Africa recently stopped using the vaccine due to its reduced potency against a common strain there.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 11, 2021 -
Courtesy of Eli Lilly
FDA clears Lilly's COVID-19 antibody cocktail for emergency use
In a late-stage study of people recently diagnosed with COVID-19, the dual-antibody drug sharply reduced the risk of hospitalizations and death.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 10, 2021 -
Lilly CFO steps down after investigation found 'inappropriate' behavior
Josh Smiley had engaged in "consensual though inappropriate" personal communications with certain employees, according to Lilly. He's being replaced by Anat Ashkenazi, chief financial officer of Lilly Research Laboratories.
By Jacob Bell • Feb. 09, 2021 -
As COVID-19 becomes a business, vaccine makers confront thorny pricing questions
Yearly vaccinations could be required after the pandemic ebbs. Will drugmakers change how they approach pricing their shots?
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 09, 2021 -
Courtesy of AstraZeneca
New data on AstraZeneca vaccine add to worries over coronavirus variant from South Africa
South Africa will use other shots in its immunization campaign after AstraZeneca's offered "minimal protection" against the variant that's spread throughout the country.
By Ben Fidler • Feb. 08, 2021 -
Getty Images
J&J asks FDA for emergency clearance of coronavirus vaccine
The regulator scheduled an advisory committee meeting for Feb. 26, making an authorization by the end of the month possible.
By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: Feb. 5, 2021 at 10:11 a.m. -
Merck
Ken Frazier, veteran pharma leader, to step down as Merck CEO
Frazier, who's retiring as CEO after a three-decade career at Merck, will hand the reins to CFO Robert Davis at the end of June. While Frazier's tenure was framed by the success of Keytruda, his leadership extended far beyond Merck's walls.
By Ned Pagliarulo • UPDATED: Feb. 4, 2021 at 2:53 p.m. -
UK to start study testing Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines together
The government-funded trial will evaluate the effects of mixing vaccines and varying timing between shots.
By Kristin Jensen • Feb. 04, 2021
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