A medicine used to treat a rare cancer that predominantly occurs in very young children is to be routinely funded on the NHS in Scotland.
News
Oxford BioDynamics signs deal to develop ASD biomarkers
Oxford BioDynamics, Italian research institute pair to develop biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Evox bags grant from Duchenne UK to engineer exosomes
Evox Therapeutics has secured £655,000 in funding from Duchenne UK, to support exploration of its exosome-based therapeutic platform for the condition.
AstraZeneca divests US rights to Synagis
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB has entered into an agreement to buy US rights to AstraZeneca’s Synagis, licensed for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
England sees “steep rise” in measles cases
Public Health England is urging the public to ensure they have had two doses of MMR vaccine after outbreaks of measles are confirmed across England.
EU expands label of GSK/Innoviva’s COPD inhaler
The European Commission expanded the scope of GlaxoSmithKline/Innoviva’s once-daily Trelegy Ellipta to reach more patients with COPD.
MSD’s Keytruda approved for liver cancer
US regulators have expanded the use of MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda to include treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.
Priority review for AZ/MSD’s Lynparza in first-line maintenance setting
US regulators have accepted an application from AstraZeneca and MSD for use of Lynparza as maintenance treatment for patients with newly-diagnosed, BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer.
MPs order release of documents on negotiations for Vertex’ CF drugs
The UK House of Commons’ Health and Social Care Committee has requested documents and evidence from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding ongoing and lengthy negotiations about NHS funding for the firm’s cystic fibrosis treatments.
NICE says no to expanding use of AZ/MSD’s Lynparza
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has ruled against expanding use of AstraZeneca/MSD’s Lynparza to a wider patient population with ovarian cancer.
Lenvima backed for NHS use to treat liver cancer
NICE has issued draft guidelines backing use of Eisai/MSD’s Lenvima on the NHS in England and Wales as an option for a type of untreated, advanced liver cancer.
Liverpool Uni leads EU kidney research project
Liverpool University is to coordinate a European research project that aims to develop new devices and methods for diagnosing and treating kidney disease.
Hikma, Vectura to develop generic rivals to GSK’s Ellipta portfolio
Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Vectura have signed a deal to develop and market generic versions of GlaxoSmithKline’s Ellipta portfolio, utilising the latter’s Open-Inhale-Close dry powder inhaler device.
Mallinckrodt’s Niemann-Pick Type C drug fails to hit trial target
UK-based Mallinckrodt has revealed that its experimental therapy for Niemann-Pick Type C failed to hit targets in a recently completed registration trial.
NICE nod for Jazz’ AML chemo
Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ chemotherapy Vyxeos has won the backing of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for routine use on the NHS in England and Wales to treat certain acute myeloid leukaemias (AML).
