UCB has launched of a new personalised phone service for healthcare professionals and patients that offers 24/7 advice on queries relating to UCB products.
News
AZ trials diabetes drug Forxiga in kidney disease, heart failure
AstraZeneca has launched two new trials with its SGLT-2 inhibitor Forxiga (dapagliflozin) exploring its potential beyond the drug’s approved diabetes indication.
GSK sells non-core assets to Aspen
GlaxoSmithKline is selling its portfolio of anaesthetics and thrombosis business to Aspen as it continues to simplify its business strategy through focusing on core therapeutic areas.
London launch for new digital accelerator scheme
DigitalHealth.London has launched its inaugural Accelerator programme, with the aim of providing “in-depth” knowledge of the NHS to a group of “high potential” small and medium digital health businesses to help narrow the gap between product develop and uptake.
Sanofi teams up with Verily to create diabetes JV
French drugmaker Sanofi has teamed up with Alphabet’s US-based life sciences company Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) to launch of a joint-venture – Onduo – with the aim of improving the management of diabetes.
US/EU orphan status for BI’s Ofev in systemic sclerosis
US and EU regulators have granted Orphan Drug Designation to Boehringer Ingelheim’s Ofev for the treatment of systemic sclerosis, including the associated interstitial lung disease.
NICE green light for Merck’s hepatitis C drug Zepatier
Cost regulators for the NHS in England and Wales are backing use of Merck, Sharp & Dohme’s hepatitis C therapy Zepatier, potentially giving patients with certain types of the condition ‘routine’ access to another treatment option.
Statin harms exaggerated, finds major review
A comprehensive review of the efficacy and safety of statins, based on 30 years’ research and published in The Lancet, has concluded that the therapy’s benefits have been underestimated and harms exaggerated.
SBRI Healthcare scheme expected to save NHS £1bn
The Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI Healthcare) says it has helped foster a pipeline of innovative ideas and products that have the potential to save the NHS £1 billion.
Most unaware of cancer-obesity link, says CR UK
Seventy-five percent of people in the UK are unaware that there is a link between obesity and cancer, according to a new report by Cancer Research UK.
CF Trust launches trial accelerator programme
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is overseeing a £3-million, UK-wide initiative striving to accelerate access to better treatments living with the genetic condition.
Priority review for Merck’s Keytruda in first-line NSCLC
US regulators have agreed to undertake a priority review of Merck’s application to market its immunotherapy Keytruda for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours express PD-L1.
Survey shows age divide in attitudes to health technology
Teva UK has unveiled findings of a survey showing a generational divide in attitudes to health and use of digital technologies.
GW prepares for acquisition approaches
GW Pharmaceuticals is reportedly preparing itself for takeover approaches as its attractiveness continues to grow with the increasing potential of its cannabinoid portfolio.
Chiesi’s triple combo inhaler shows benefit in COPD
Chiesi has unveiled results of a late-stage study showing the superior efficacy of its triple combination inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with standard dual therapy.
