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

Explore the Trendline➔

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

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

Data and compassion: How the pharma industry prepared me for leadership through Covid

Leading through a pandemic is no easy feat but this pharmaceutical company's CEO led his organization not only from his head, but also from his heart.

By Wa’el Hashad, President & CEO, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. • April 11, 2022

Pfizer buys a private biotech and its RSV drug research

The pharma company will add experimental RSV treatments to its pipeline through the deal, which is worth up to $525 million.

By Kristin Jensen • April 7, 2022

Novartis breast cancer drug approved for ultra-rare condition

The FDA's decision was based on real-world study data that indicated Novartis' Piqray could treat a cluster of conditions known collectively as PROS.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 6, 2022

Merck counting on heart drugs to boost business next decade

The pharma expects peak cardiovascular drug sales to exceed $10 billion next decade, by which time current top sellers Keytruda and Gardasil will no longer be patent protected.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 5, 2022

Top Novartis executives to depart as company restructures

The Swiss pharma said its plan to merge multiple business units and cut yearly costs by $1 billion is likely to impact jobs, but declined to specify which roles and how many.

By Ben Fidler • April 4, 2022

CAR-T treatment moves earlier as FDA widens approval of Gilead's Yescarta

Yescarta, previously cleared only for use in treating late-stage lymphoma, can now be used after initial treatment has failed, a first for the cellular drugs.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 4, 2022

Sanofi API spinout takes step toward market listing

French regulators have approved plans by Sanofi to list the new EUROAPI business on Euronext Paris beginning May 6.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 1, 2022

Pfizer inflammatory disease drug hits goal in second study

The drugmaker said etrasimod, an experimental medicine acquired via its Arena buyout, improved remission rates in the second of two studies meant to support its approval in ulcerative colitis.

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 29, 2022

FDA rejects Lilly and Innovent immunotherapy, sending signal to drugmakers

The regulator demanded the partners run another clinical trial to support approval of sintilimab, a decision that could have ripple effects for the development of cancer drugs in the U.S.

By Ben Fidler • March 24, 2022