Article Listing - RIPI Sets Up Microbial Biotechnology Bank
Bristol-Myers Orencia equals Humira in head-to-head AMPLE RA study
12 June 2013
US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has announced the results of year two data from AMPLE (Abatacept Versus Adalimumab Comparison in Biologic-Naive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Subjects With Background Methotrexate), a first-of-its-kind trial of 646 patients comparing the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Orencia (abatacept) versus AbbVie's (NYSE: ABBV) blockbuster drug Humira (adalimumab), each on a background of MTX, in biologic naive patients with moderate to severe RA. The AMPLE year two data are being presented this week at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) annual congress and highlighted during a congress press conference.
NeuroVive signs deal with Isomerase Therapeutics; receives the first milestone from Sihuan
12 June 2013
Swedish mitochondrial medicine firm NeuroVive Pharmaceutical has signed a collaboration agreement with the UK's Isomerase Therapeutics to develop the molecules that were recently acquired by the British company from Biotica. In addition, the company's Asian subsidiary has received the first milestone payment from Sihuan Pharmaceutical (HKEx: 0460), the company's collaboration partner in China, under a deal signed last year (The Pharma Letter November 21, 2012).
Abcam in deal with Pfizer to supply compounds to researchers
12 June 2013
UK-based Abcam (AIM: ABC), a producer and distributor of protein research tools, has entered into a license agreement with global pharma behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Under the terms of the agreement, Abcam's Biochemicals division will supply a range of authentic Pfizer compounds for use as preclinical research tools by researchers worldwide, alongside the Abcam Biochemicals range of over 2000 bioactive small molecules.
WTO TRIPS resolution excludes pharma from IP extension exemption for least-developed countries
12 June 2013
The Council for TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) yesterday (June 11) adopted a resolution at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that allows least-developed countries (LDC) an eight year extension on an exemption in implementing intellectual property (IP) rules under the TRIPS Agreement, according to medical humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
UK's NICE gives thumbs up for GSK's Revolade as NHS blood disorder treatment
12 June 2013
UK drugs watch dog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published final draft guidance recommending pharma major GlaxoSmithKline's (LSE: GSK) Revolade (eltrombopag) as an option for treating some adults with the bleeding disorder, chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura.
ThromboGenics' Jetrea gets initial NICE recommendation for VMT
12 June 2013
Belgium-based biopharma company ThromboGenics (Euronext Brussels: THR) said this morning (June 12) that the UK's drugs watch dog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has provisionally recommended its ophthalmic agent Jetrea (ocriplasmin) for reimbursement within the National Health Service (NHS).
US FDA considering making "masked" trial data available to outside experts
12 June 2013
According to a Federal Register posting, the US Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comments from interested persons on the proposed availability of "deidentified" and "masked" data derived from medical product applications.
Questcor Pharma pays $60 million upfront to Novartis for rights to Synacthen
11 June 2013
USA-based Questcor Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: QCOR) says it has acquired rights to develop Synacthen (tetracosactide) and Synacthen Depot in the USA from Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX). Subject to certain closing conditions, Questcor has also acquired rights to Synacthen and Synacthen Depot in certain countries outside the USA.
PDL files for arbitration for alleged royalties underpayments by Genentech
11 June 2013
USA-based PDL BioPharma (Nasdaq: PDLI) revealed today (June 11) that it has filed a Notice of Arbitration against Genentech, the US biotech subsidiary of Swiss drug major Roche (ROG: SIX), with the American Arbitration Association in Voorhees, New Jersey, alleging, inter alia, that Genentech underpaid royalties going back to at least 2007 and impeded PDL's attempts to have Genentech's books and records inspected to determine whether Genentech's past payments to PDL were accurately calculated.
Immunomedics says that adding 90Y-epratuzumab following R-CHOP improves patients' response
11 June 2013
US biopharmaceutical company Immunomedics (Nasdaq: IMMU) reports that adding two doses of epratuzumab labeled with the radioisotope, yttrium-90 (90Y), to a combination of rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy (R-CHOP), the standard of care for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), appeared to improve elderly patients' responses to treatment.
- FDA probes two deaths possibly linked to Lilly's antipsychotic Zyprexa Relprevv
- US Supreme Court says patent settlement can "sometimes" be illegal
- Negative US patent ruling for Novo Nordisk on Prandin
- Daiichi Sankyo files for Japanese approval of Prasugrel
- Osteoporosis drug bazedoxifene stops growth of breast cancer cells, even in resistant tumors
