Article Listing - Biotechnology
US and European gastroenterologist's views on hepatitis C treatments
2 May 2013
Gastroenterologists in the USA and Europe by health care advisory firm Decision Resources agree that the percentage of genotype-1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) is one of the attributes that most influences their prescribing decisions.
Generics take toll on Sanofi's 1st-qtr sales, with net profit down 33.5%
2 May 2013
French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) today (May 2) reported first-quarter 2013 financial results showing a 5.3% (-2.8% constant exchange rates) decrease in total sales to 8.06 billion euros ($10.5 billion), largely due to generic competition (an impact of some 553 million euros).
AusBiotech expresses concern over plan to remove or limit patent extensions
2 May 2013
Trade association AusBiotech has made a submission in response to the Australian Pharmaceutical Patent Review's (PPR) Draft Report, stating its disappointment at the options provided under recommendation 5 to remove or reduce Australia's patent extension provisions.
US FDA rejects Titan Pharma's Probuphine NDA
1 May 2013
California, USA-based Titan Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: TTNP) has received a Complete Response Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration relating to its New Drug Application for Probuphine (buprenorphine), the company's investigational subdermal implant for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in adult patients, despite an overall favorable review by an FDA advisory panel (The Pharma Letter March 22). The stock plunged 72% to $0.45 a share in early trading on Wednesday.
Third deal for Ascletis, which gains China market rights from Janssen to a clinical stage HIV protease inhibitor
1 May 2013
USA and China-based biotech firm Ascletis Pharmaceuticals says it has licensed development, manufacturing and commercialization rights from Assent R&D Ireland to TMC310911, a next-generation HIV protease inhibitor (PI). The agreement provides Ascletis with exclusive rights to develop and commercialize TMC310911 in Greater China, including mainland China and Macau.
Soligenix and Intrexon collaborate on Melioidosis therapy development
1 May 2013
US clinical stage biopharma company Soligenix (OTCBB: SNGX) says it will jointly develop a treatment for Melioidosis through a worldwide exclusive collaboration with Intrexon, a synthetic biology company that utilizes its proprietary technologies to provide control over cellular function. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ligand acquires financial rights to over 15 development programs from Selexis
1 May 2013
US drugmaker Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LGND) has acquired a portfolio of potential future milestone and royalty payments for more than 15 biologic development programs from privately-held Swiss life sciences firm Selexis SA. Each acquired program is fully funded by a development partner.
Routine cinacalcet for end stage kidney disease not warranted
1 May 2013
Cinacalcet, a drug commonly given to patients with end stage kidney disease to help keep phosphorus and parathyroid blood levels within a target range and has few patient level clinical benefits and several adverse effects, suggesting that it should no longer be routinely prescribed, according to a study by international researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine (US Public Library of Science).
FDA approves CSL's Kcentra and accepts Octapharma Octaplex BLA for reversal of anticoagulation
30 April 2013
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Kcentra (prothrombin complex concentrate, human) from Germany-based CSL Behring, a subsidiary of Australia's CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) anticoagulation in adults with acute major bleeding. Plasma is the only other product approved for this use in the USA.
Celgene partners with FORMA Thera on drugs targeting protein homeostasis
30 April 2013
Privately-held FORMA Therapeutics has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with US biotech firm Celgene (Nasdaq: CELG) Corporation under which the companies will discover, develop and commercialize drug candidates to regulate protein homeostasis targets.
- Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Victoza produced 8% weight loss in Ph III obesity trial
- Is the diabetes market facing a blockbuster-free future?
- Alchemia and Merck Serono collaborate on HA-Irinotecan with Erbitux
- Positive new data on Novartis' Galvus in elderly type 2 diabetes patients
- Johnson & Johnson expects 10 NDA filings by 2017, saying pharma sector poised for growth
