Pharma: Page 2

FDA approves oral version of Mitsubishi's ALS drug

Called Radicava ORS, this version is taken by mouth rather than via an hourlong infusion, which may help improve the drug's convenience and use.

By Jacob Bell • May 13, 2022

Key Bristol Myers drug holds up in long-term psoriasis study

Deucravacitnib, forecast by Bristol Myers to hit $4 billion in peak sales, is under FDA review with an approval decision due by September. The agency's view of its safety will be key to its future.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 12, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The expanding world of RNA therapies

Vaccines from BioNTech and Moderna proved the power of messenger RNA in medicine. A growing field of RNA-targeting therapies is advancing alongside them.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Bristol Myers acquires BridgeBio drug aimed at emerging cancer target

The pharma will pay $90 million to license BridgeBio's experimental candidate, joining a lengthening list of large drugmakers aiming to treat cancer by blocking a protein called SHP2.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 12, 2022

Roche cancer immunotherapy fails another trial, casting doubt on emerging drug class

A treatment combination involving Roche's anti-TIGIT medicine tiragolumab missed its goal in a Phase 3 lung cancer study that was viewed as a proof point for the drug class.

By Ben Fidler • May 11, 2022

Pfizer to acquire Biohaven in $11.6B bet on biotech's migraine drugs

The deal, which hands Pfizer full rights to the biotech's fast-selling Nurtec ODT, could provide a much needed spark for the sector after months of stock market declines. 

By Ben Fidler , Jacob Bell • Updated May 10, 2022

J&J ends hepatitis B, HPV vaccine work with Bavarian Nordic

The companies' hepatitis B program never reached clinical testing, while J&J said it would no longer develop an HPV vaccine because of the "widespread uptake" of effective shots from other companies.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 9, 2022

Novartis suspends production of two radiopharmaceutical drugs over quality concerns

Due to potential issues in manufacturing, the pharma is halting deliveries of two cancer drugs, Lutathera and Pluvicto, in the U.S. and Canada, a setback for a business in which the company has invested heavily.  

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 6, 2022

Digital key opinion leaders: who are they?

As scientific discussions increase online, Medical Affairs teams need ways to listen to conversations.  

May 2, 2022

Bristol Myers wins FDA approval for first drug to treat inherited heart condition

Bristol Myers paid $13 billion to acquire the drug's maker, MyoKardia, and expects it to become a blockbuster. But a tricky dosing regimen, as well as safety concerns, could challenge the pharmaceutical giant's lofty forecast. 

By Jonathan Gardner • April 28, 2022

Lilly's closely watched diabetes drug scores in obesity trial

Called tirzepatide, the drug significantly lowered weight loss in a large study, findings that add to growing evidence that a class of medicines originally meant for diabetes may effectively treat obesity.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 28, 2022

FDA sets back Novartis' best chance at a COVID-19 drug

The agency indicated another trial of the drug, developed by Molecular Partners, will be needed. But whether such a study is doable is yet to be determined, according to Novartis' CEO Vas Narasimhan.

By Kristin Jensen • April 27, 2022

Novartis names longtime analyst as top dealmaker amid organizational shakeup

Novartis said in an earnings presentation Tuesday that it hired biotech analyst Ronny Gal as chief strategy and growth officer and revealed more details about planned layoffs as the company restructures.

By Ben Fidler • April 26, 2022

Nektar begins sweeping layoffs after $2B Bristol Myers deal falls apart

Loss of the lucrative partnership has triggered a wide-ranging restructuring that will pare down Nektar’s workforce by about 70%.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 26, 2022

Roche stumbles in latest setback for an emerging group of breast cancer drugs

The Phase 2 failure marks the second negative result in two months for a closely watched group of medicines, known as SERDs, that are being developed by several large pharmaceutical companies.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 25, 2022

Connect to the conversation: Pediatric mental health

More children than ever are experiencing mental health issues, so what can parents and loved ones do to help address these issues and prevent them before they start?

April 25, 2022

Drug price hikes moderate as rebates rise, report finds

List prices for branded medicines rose by nearly 5% last year, according to IQVIA, a figure that fell to 1% after accounting for rebates and discounts.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 21, 2022

AbbVie ends research alliance on BioArctic Parkinson's drug

The company's decision is a blow to Sweden-based BioArctic, which two months ago was expecting AbbVie to advance the drug into Phase 2 this year.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 20, 2022

Merck brings former executive back to lead ex-US pharmaceuticals business

Joseph Romanelli is returning from a short stint at the Chinese drugmaker Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals. In his new role at Merck, he will oversee more than 75 markets outside the U.S. and about 14,000 employees.

By Kristin Jensen • April 20, 2022

J&J cuts COVID vaccine sales forecasts, citing high supplies and lagging demand

The drugmaker previously expected up to $3.5 billion in 2022 revenue, but uncertainty about the pace of vaccinations led it to suspend investor guidance.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 19, 2022

Gilead gets cell therapy boost with FDA clearance of Maryland factory

The new site in Maryland will be used to produce Yescarta, which this month won an expanded approval that substantially widens its market.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 19, 2022

Bristol Myers scraps $2B Nektar partnership after trial failures

The companies have halted testing in kidney and bladder cancer, one month after ending a skin cancer study. Nektar executives are now preparing plans to conserve cash.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 18, 2022

Inflation is forcing prioritization of healthcare spending — are you ready?

Inflation means your customers' money doesn't travel as far as it did a few weeks ago.

April 18, 2022

AbbVie, Genmab, with new data, prep FDA application for dual-acting cancer drug

Fresh trial results intensify competition with Roche to deliver the first lymphoma drug that marries antibody technology with an immunotherapy pathway.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 14, 2022

UK bid to battle antibiotic resistance yields first subscription-style plan

Pfizer and Shionogi could receive 10 million pounds, or about $13 million, a year for new antibiotics. International participation might be needed to further spur development, however.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 12, 2022

Pfizer, Moderna name new finance chiefs amid surging revenue

Pfizer is bringing in former Lowe's and CVS Health executive David Denton, while Moderna hired Jorge Gomez, previously CFO at Cardinal Health. Both take the reins as their new companies face strategic questions.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 11, 2022