Brent Saunders appointed Bausch + Lomb CEO in return to pharma C-suite

Saunders, who led Allergan until its sale to AbbVie, will replace turnaround CEO Joseph Papa as head of the contact lens and eye drug manufacturer.

By Kristin Jensen • Feb. 15, 2023

US agrees to buy more doses of Novavax’s COVID shot

The company said its modified contract with the federal government, which comes ahead of a planned transition to private market sales, will help it develop an updated version of its vaccine.

By Christopher Newman • Updated Feb. 13, 2023

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Top 5 stories from BioPharma Dive

Looming patent expiries this decade and intensifying competition from China are forcing drugmakers to adapt, while new opportunities open up in oncology and in neuroscience.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Sanofi R&D head John Reed leaves to take similar role at J&J

Reed, who oversaw the recent transformation of Sanofi’s drug pipeline, will lead pharmaceuticals R&D at J&J, replacing the departed Mathai Mammen.

By Jacob Bell • Updated Feb. 14, 2023

Changing the trajectory of blood cancers with transformational and potentially curative therapies at ASH

Janssen Oncology reflects on advancements in hematology after attending the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

By Yusri Elsayed, M.D., M.HSc., Ph.D., Vice President, Global Head, Hematologic Malignancies, Janssen Research & Development, LLC • Feb. 13, 2023

Pfizer begins plan to challenge Shingrix with an mRNA vaccine

The pharma and partner BioNTech have kicked off the first human trial of a messenger RNA shot for shingles, believing there’s room to clear the high bar set by GSK’s rival vaccine.

By Delilah Alvarado • Feb. 10, 2023

AstraZeneca sees run of growth continuing in 2023

While 2022 revenue came in slightly below analyst expectations, the pharma’s forecast puts within reach a sales target set nearly a decade ago by CEO Pascal Soriot.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 9, 2023

Bayer names former Roche executive Bill Anderson as new CEO

Anderson, who stepped down as Roche's pharmaceuticals chief in December, will replace Bayer's current head Werner Baumann on June 1.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Feb. 8, 2023

Arrowhead confirms J&J’s plan to dial back hepatitis B drug research

The reported reorganization of J&J’s infectious disease division leaves the fate of Arrowhead's multibillion-dollar partnership with the big drugmaker unclear.

By Delilah Alvarado • Feb. 7, 2023

Astellas switches CEOs amid plans to pursue ‘aggressive’ growth

Naoki Okamura, currently Astellas’ chief strategy officer, will replace current CEO Kenji Yasukawa as the company continues a strategic reboot that’s seen it invest more heavily in gene therapy.

By Christopher Newman • Feb. 6, 2023

Roche writes off $3B on lower sales forecasts for gene therapies, cancer drugs

Among the drugs Roche recorded impairment charges on are four gene therapies acquired in the company's 2019 deal for Spark Therapeutics. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 3, 2023

Lilly reports fast sales for new diabetes drug

Still, fourth quarter sales for Mounjaro were slightly below high Wall Street forecasts and didn’t offset falling revenue from Lilly’s COVID-19 antibodies. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated Feb. 2, 2023

Roche promotes from within to replace pharma head

Teresa Graham, currently head of Roche Pharmaceuticals’ global product strategy, will succeed former chief Bill Anderson. The reshuffle is one of several recent changes in the pharma’s leadership. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 2, 2023

Pfizer forecasts steep decline in COVID vaccine, drug sales

Yearly revenue from Comirnaty and Paxlovid could fall by nearly two thirds in 2023 amid lower vaccination rates and a shift to private market sales.

By Christopher Newman • Jan. 31, 2023

Humira biosimilars arrive in the US, as Amgen launches first copycat to AbbVie’s blockbuster drug

The world’s best-selling drug will face pricing pressure as rivals try to steal share from AbbVie’s $20 billion-a-year flagship product in the U.S. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 31, 2023

J&J puts focus on cancer drugs in push to reach 2025 sales target

The drugmaker reported fourth quarter revenue that fell short of forecasts, but reiterated confidence in reaching a $60 billion pharmaceutical sales goal.

By Christopher Newman • Updated Jan. 24, 2023

Lilly to boost diabetes drug production with $450M factory investment

The pharma aims to double its manufacturing capacity for drugs like Mounjaro and Trulicity as competition with rival Novo Nordisk heats up.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 24, 2023

Big passion for small biotech and its potential to address complex diseases

A conversation with Teresa Nunes, chief medical officer of Allucent.

Jan. 23, 2023

Why Wall Street shrugged at Lilly’s Alzheimer’s setback

Analysts argue the FDA’s choice to decline accelerated approval for donanemab, while surprising, is not the main factor that will determine whether it eventually becomes a commercial success.

By Jacob Bell • Jan. 20, 2023

BeiGene wins expanded approval for leukemia drug, intensifying battle with AbbVie, AstraZeneca

The drugmaker hopes Brukinsa’s survival data will help its drug compete with Imbruvica and Calquence.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 20, 2023

FDA rejects Lilly Alzheimer’s drug, citing insufficient data

The drugmaker had sought an accelerated approval based on data from a small mid-stage trial. Results from a larger study are due in the second quarter.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 20, 2023

Roche says Tecentriq immunotherapy reduces risk of liver cancer recurrence

While the company did not reveal specific study data, the results could help Tecentriq become the first drug approved for adjuvant liver cancer treatment.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 19, 2023

Moderna reports positive RSV vaccine results, pressuring Pfizer, GSK

The biotech’s results appear competitive to past data for RSV shots being developed by GSK and Pfizer. Moderna plans to follow those companies in asking for FDA approval.

By Delilah Alvarado • Jan. 18, 2023

EMA weighs new safety guidance for Novartis’ gene therapy Zolgensma

The discussions come months after two patients died from acute liver injury following treatment with the spinal muscular atrophy therapy.

By Delilah Alvarado • Jan. 13, 2023

Novo Nordisk diabetes pill wins FDA approval for first-line use

The approval could help Rybelsus compete with oral drugs marketed by Eli Lilly, Merck & Co. and others.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 13, 2023

California files suit against PBMs over insulin prices

The state filed suit Thursday against pharmacy benefit managers CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx, alleging they worked with drugmakers to drive up the price of insulin.

By Hailey Mensik • Jan. 13, 2023