US regulators have cleared the use of Novartis group Advanced Accelerator Applications’ Lutathera to treat certain gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
News
Seven medicines leap closer to EU approval
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has put forward seven new medicines for approval in the region, including new treatment options for haemophilia A, diabetes, and a very rare genetic disorder.
Scotland’s Synpromics expands gene therapy work with UCL deal
Edinburgh, Scotland based Synpromics has teamed up with UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health to develop novel gene therapies for diseases affecting the haematopoietic system.
Takeda/Zinfadel terminate late-stage Alzheimer’s study
Alzheimer’s disease research has taken another hit with the termination of a Phase III study assessing the effect of diabetes drug pioglitazone on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with the condition.
Rexgenero treats first patients in CLI trial
London, UK-based Rexgenero has reached a major milestone in treating the first patient in a late-stage trial with its lead product, cell therapy REX-001.
NICE/PHE against blanket use of antibiotics for sore throats
Sore throats should be treated with painkillers and not antibiotics, according to new guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Public Health England.
Novartis buys access to Spark’s vision loss therapy
Novartis has bought itself rights to Spark Therapeutic’s gene therapy for a certain type of vision loss, in a deal worth up to $170 million.
Lancet-published data show potential of GW’s Epidiolex
The Lancet has published data from a Phase III study backing use of GW Pharmaceutical/Greenwich Bioscience’s Epidiolex in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
AZ enrolls first patient in Brilinta stroke trial
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is approved for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and prevention of further coronary events in patients at high-risk following a heart attack.
First-line use of lung cancer drug Zykadia gets NHS nod
Final guidelines have now been published endorsing NHS use of Novartis’ Zykadia as a first line of attack for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), offering patients a new treatment option.
UK charity gives US biotech $1m for Parkinson’s research
UK charity Parkinson’s UK is handing over more than $1 million in funding to US biotech company Neurolixis, to help fuel development of a novel, experimental therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Cobra awarded £2.6m from Innovate UK for expansion
Keele, UK-based Cobra Biologics is being handed £2.6 million by Innovate UK to help the firm expand and develop its infrastructure.
Mylan launches Copaxone generic in the UK
Mylan has launched in the UK the first generic formulation of Teva’s multiple sclerosis blockbuster Copaxone, offering a potentially cheaper alternative for treatment of relapsing forms of the condition.
PHE to review prescription drug addiction in the UK
The government has launched what it describes as a “landmark” independent review into prescription drug addiction in the UK.
NICE backs trial of online programme for depression
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has given its backing for an online programme to be trialed on the NHS for the treatment of depression.
