Novartis’ experimental multiple sclerosis drug siponimod has hit its key target in a late-stage trial, raising hopes for a new treatment option for patients.
News
NHS deficit narrows in first quarter
The number of NHS providers booking a financial deficit dropped 20 percent during the first quarter of 2016/17, according to new figures released by NHS Improvement.
FDA rejects Amgen’s Parsabiv
US regulators have turned down Amgen’s request to market Parsabiv for secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT).
GPs report drug shortages
The issue of drug shortages is coming to the fore again as a survey by GP Online finds that four out of five doctors are not able to give patients their first choice of treatment.
Servier’s Lonsurf backed for NHS use
Patients with advanced bowel cancer in England and Wales stand to gain routine access to a new treatment option after cost regulators backed NHS funding for Servier’s Lonsurf.
Cell Medica links with UCL in research deal
Cell Medica has signed a research deal with University College London for access to its novel T cell receptor technology, in a bid to generate leading-edge modified TCR products for the treatment of cancer.
NICE expands NHS treatment options for CML, lung cancer
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published two sets of guidelines increasing the treatment options for NHS patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and non-small cell lung cancer.
AbbVie’s venetoclax joins UK’s early access scheme
AbbVie venetoclax has been accepted onto the UK’s Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS), having picked up a positive scientific opinion from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
NICE widens scope of Bayer’s Eylea
Cost regulators are now backing NHS use of Bayer’s Eylea for all patients with visual impairment due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), having initially recommended its use only in the second-line setting.
AZ sells antibiotics to Pfizer
AstraZeneca is selling to Pfizer rights to its late-stage small molecule antibiotics business in most markets globally outside the US, in a deal that could be worth near $1.6 billion.
Clovis’ ovarian cancer drug gets US priority review
Clovis’ PARP inhibitor rucaparib will get a speedy review from US regulators as a treatment for patients with certain forms of advanced ovarian cancer.
DS Biopharma spins out Afimmune
Dublin, Ireland-based lipid science group DS Biopharma has launched a spin-out group focused solely on fibrotic conditions and pulmonary disorders.
EU clear’s Gilead’s Truvada for HIV PrEP
European regulators have issued a green light for the use of Gilead’s Truvada to cut the risk of HIV infection in adults.
AZ/Lilly Alzheimer’s drug given fast-track status
AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly’s experimental Alzheimer’s disease drug AZD3293 has been issued a Fast Track designation in the US potentially speeding up the drug regulatory pathway.
Combined HRT triples risk of breast cancer, study finds
A UK study has found that women who take combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are nearly three times as like to develop breast cancer.
