Global spending on cancer drugs topped $100 billion last year, rising 10.3% over 2013 and well above $75 billion back in 2010, according to IMS Health’s Global Oncology Trend Report.
News
GSK, Italian partners file ‘bubble boy’ gene therapy in EU
GlaxoSmithKline and Italian partners Fondazione Telethon and Ospedale San Raffaele have submitted an application in Europe to market an investigational gene therapy for the treatment of an ultra-rare white blood cell deficiency condition often referred to as ‘bubble boy disease’.
Patients to wait up to 31 years for new GPs promised by MPs
An analysis by GP leaders has found that UK patients will have to wait between 20 and 31 years for the number of additional GPs promised by the Conservatives, Labour and UKIP, unless drastic action is taken.
UK researchers develop new, improved ovarian cancer test
A new screening method that looks at changes in the level of CA125 in the blood can detect twice as many women with ovarian cancer as conventional strategies, suggest results from a giant trial led by researchers at University College London and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Bayer to spend $155m on Isis blood thinner
Bayer has bought itself access to Isis Pharmaceuticals’ experimental anticoagulant ISIS-FXIRx in a deal worth at at least $155 million to the latter.
Public still not getting the skin cancer message
The majority of people in the UK are still failing to protect themselves against sunburn and are unaware of the signs of skin cancer, as rates of the deadly disease continue to rise.
Hep C drugs help double Gilead’s Q1 earnings
Gilead has booked huge increases in sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2015, driven by strong growth of its hepatitis C drugs.
Report finds ‘major failings’ in NHS dermatology services
A report by independent health think-tank the King’s Fund has revealed “major” failings across National Health Service dermatology services, with evidence of staff shortages, poor training, inconsistent quality in diagnosis and treatment, and large variations in access to specialist care.
Vernalis stock gains on FDA nod for cough/cold drug
Vernalis stock has hit a five-year high on news that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its cough/cold medicine Tuzistra XR.
FDA clears GSK asthma inhaler for adults, not children
US regulators have issued a green light for GlaxoSmithKline/Theravance’s BREO Ellipta inhaler to treat asthma in adults, but permission for its use in patients aged 12 to 17 years old was not granted.
First-quarter earnings growth for Teva, Sanofi, Shire
Israeli drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has lifted its full-year earning guidance following a positive quarter that saw solid increases in sales and earnings.
Sanofi’s diabetes drug Toujeo gets EU nod
Sanofi’s next-generation long-acting basal insulin Toujeo has been approved for diabetes in the European Union, offering patients a new treatment option with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia.
UK gov to spend £550m on expanding GP access
The UK government has announced that extra funding of £550 million will be spent on expanding access to GPs, modernising surgeries, and improving out-of-hospital care.
FDA approves first generics of antipsychotic Abilify
US regulators have approved the first generic versions of Abilify (aripiprazole), sold in the US by Bristol-Myers Squibb, for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
FDA will Biogen/AbbVie’s once-monthly MS shot
US regulators have agreed to review Biogen and AbbVie’s application to market Zinbryta (daclizumab; high yield process) for relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis.
