News

Five new drugs make it onto NHS Scotland

Scottish cost regulators have approved funding for National Health Service use of five new medicines this month, including treatments for thyroid cancer, Crohn’s disease and a novel antibiotic for pneumonia.

J&J Q2 sales hit by strength of the dollar

Johnson & Johnson has booked an 8.8% drop in sales for the second quarter to $17.8 billion, largely dragged down by currency effects (-7.9%) and a reduced contribution from its medical devices unit.

2015 NHS Innovation comp opens with £150K cashpot

The first wave of the 2015 NHS Innovation Challenge Prize competition has been launched this week, offering access to a £150,000 cash pot to help accelerate the progress of new ideas that address England’s biggest healthcare issues.

US clears Otsuka/Lundbeck’s antipsychotic Rexulti

The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the use of Lundbeck and Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s antipsychotic Rexulti for the treatment of both schizophrenia and major depressive order.

US House waves through Cures Act

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly backed (344-77) the 21st Century Cures Act, intended to accelerate the translation of discoveries into innovative therapies through a stream of new measures and funding.

NICE U-turn as Entyvio is backed for Crohn’s

Patients with Crohn’s disease are now likely to get National Health Service access to Takeda’s biologic Entyvio in England and Wales following a u-turn by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

UK launch for Daiichi’s bloodthinner Lixiana

A new drug to prevent stroke in patients with the heart rhythm condition non-valvular atrial fibrillation is available in the UK from today with the launch of Daiichi Sankyo’s bloodthinner Lixiana across the country.

UK life science lacks young talent

Mature workers greatly outnumber newer employees in the UK life sciences sector – which could possibly lead to a shortage of essential skills, according to a new survey.