Roche has snapped up rights to an experimental eye disease drug and technology from US biotech Eleven Biotherapeutics in a deal that be worth $270 million.
News
Trial shows heart benefits of Novo’s diabetes drug Victoza
New data on Novo Nordisk’s diabetes therapy Victoza show that the drug significantly cut the risk of major cardiovascular events and death in adults with type II diabetes.
Four new medicines OK’d for use by NHS Scotland
Cost regulators have approved the use of four new medicines for use by NHS Scotland, including a new option for Parkinson’s disease and asthma, but rejected Sanofi-Genzyme’s Jevtana for prostate cancer and Amgen’s Repatha for high cholesterol.
Novartis’ Jakavi comes out on top in rare blood cancer trial
New data shows Novartis’ Jakavi to be superior than best available therapy in patients with the rare haematological cancer polycythemia vera (PV), which affects around 100,000 people globally a year.
Shire completes EU decentralisation procedure for Cuvitru
Shire’s Cuvitru is a big step closer to a roll-out in Europe having completed the decentralised procedure supporting its approval for primary and certain secondary immunodeficiency disorders.
Cervical cancer cases to rise sharply in the elderly, charity warns
The incidence of cervical cancer in women aged over 50 will increase sharply if current screening trends continue, a UK charity is warning.
Sanofi’s new diabetes combo hits PhIII targets
A new diabetes combination therapy being developed by Sanofi has hit targets in two pivotal Phase III studies, showing a superior reduction in blood glucose compared to insulin glargine and versus lixisenatide.
AZ sells anaesthetics portfolio to Aspen
AstraZeneca is selling rights to its global anaesthetics portfolio outside the US to Aspen Global Inc (AGI) in a deal that could be worth $770 million.
Amgen/Novartis migraine drug shows promise in trial
An experimental therapy being developed by Amgen and Novartis to prevent chronic migraine has hit its primary targets, confirming safety and efficacy in patients over the 12-week treatment period.
Merck & Co to buy Afferent for up to $1.25 billion
Merck & Co is buying clinical-stage biotech Afferent Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to $1.25 billion.
MS therapy could prevent relapses long-term, study indicates
Researchers are investigating an aggressive approach to treating multiple sclerosis (MS) that has shown promise in long-term prevention of relapses, but also comes with a risky safety profile.
SBRI Healthcare opens new innovation competition
SBRI Healthcare has launched its latest competition in which up to 12 small businesses could each benefit from £100,000 of product development funding.
Subcutaneous form of GSK lupus drug on target
GlaxoSmithKline has presented promising late-stage data on a subcutaneous formulation of its lupus drug Benlysta in a subset of patients with highly-active forms of the disease.
NICE’s Eylea guideline ‘out of touch with clinical practice’
Bayer says it is disappointed that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is supporting NHS use of anti-VEGF therapy Eylea to treat a common cause of visual impairment only in the second-line setting.
EU nod for Avastin/Tarceva lung cancer combo
The European Commission has approved the use of Roche’s Avastin in combination with Tarceva to treat a certain form of lung cancer, marking the first time the drug has been cleared for use alongside another targeted therapy.
