News

Shire to make another move on Baxalta

Shire is reportedly preparing a second approach for Baxter spin-off Baxalta, after its initial $30-billion hostile takeover bid was spurned by the US rare disease biotech earlier this year.

UCL launches gene therapy company

University College London (UCL) has announced that it is forming a biopharma company focused on gene therapies to treat eye diseases that cause blindness.

NHS gets upfront cash boost

The NHS will get an above-inflation cash boost of £3.8 billion for next year after chief executive Simon Stevens convinced chancellor George Osborne of the need for immediate funding.

Novartis’ Cosentyx continues to shine with ‘landmark’ approvals

Novartis’ Cosentyx has become the first IL-17 inhibitor to win European approval for ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, offering a novel approach to treating two of the most common inflammatory joint conditions in the region, for which there remains high unmet need.

Super quick FDA nod for BMS’ Opdivo in kidney cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an incredibly speedy approval for the use of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, marking its fifth regulatory approval across three tumour types in the country.

EU clears single pill HIV therapy Genvoya

European regulators have approved Gilead’s Genvoya for the treatment of HIV, giving adult and adolescent patients the potential to access a novel, once daily, single-tablet regimen that offers viral suppression alongside other important long-term health benefits.

NHS trusts on track to close year £2.2bn into the red

National Health Service providers have run up a record-breaking deficit of $1.6 billion for the first six months of the financial year and are facing significant challenges on both finance and operational performance, again ringing warning bells over its sustainability.

NICE draft ‘yes’ for BioMarin’s Vimizim

Patients with a very rare inherited lysosomal storage disease are now likely to get treatment with Biomarin’s Vimizin funded on the National Health Service in England and Wales after all, under a managed access agreement between the drugmaker and NHS England.

Pfizer confirms record $160bn deal for Allergan

Following weeks of speculation Pfizer has now confirmed that it is merging with Botox-maker Allergan in a transaction valued at $160 billion, making it the biggest pharma deal in history.