US regulators have assigned Genentech’s VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab) breakthrough therapy status as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
News
NICE U-turn backs biologics for ulcerative colitis
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has reversed a previous guidance and recommended use on the NHS of three big-selling biologics – Merck & Co’s Remicade and Simponi and AbbVie’s Humira – for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
FDA approves Lilly’s Cyramza for NSCLC
Eli Lilly has been granted a third green light in the USA for Cyramza, this time for lung cancer.
Action urged now cancer is UK’s most common cause of death
Last year, cancer was the most common cause of death for men and women in the UK, replacing circulatory diseases including heart disease and stroke, which were the nation’s most common cause of death until 2010, say government figures.
Agios first-in-class drug looks effective for AML
A small but significant study of Agios Pharmaceuticals’ AG-221, partnered with Celgene, caused a stir at the American Society of Hematology meeting in San Francisco earlier this week.
Celgene ends stellar week with positive Abraxane data
After a highly successful American Society of Hematology meeting in San Francisco earlier this week, Celgene has been further boosted by positive data for Abraxane at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Novartis’ Cosentyx beats J&J’s Stelara in psoriasis trial
A head-to-head study has demonstrated the superiority of Novartis’ psoriasis drug Cosentyx to Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara in clearing skin.
Teva sees generic Copaxone competition on horizon
Foreign exchange rates and generic competition for its multiple sclerosis blockbuster Copaxone has led Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to making 2015 forecasts below analysts’ expectations.
USA looks at new antibiotics approval pathway
As superbugs return to the spotlight, US Senators Michael Bennet and Orrin Hatch have introduced a bill to create a new drug approval pathway “to streamline access and encourage innovation and development” of antibiotics.
50% of women in England taking prescribed drugs
43% of men and 50% of women in England have told a government survey that they had taken at least one prescribed medicine in the last week, and 22% of men and 24% of women reported that they had taken at least three prescribed drugs during the period.
Cancer Drug Fund needs ‘more radical’ changes, say experts
Proposed new arrangements for prioritising access to the Cancer Drug Fund “will continue to undermine NICE, duplicate effort and distort allocation of NHS resources, while failing to support the development of cost-effective drugs from which patients will benefit,” says a team of leading health economists.
Cost of superbug resistance; $100 trillion and 10 million deaths
Failing to tackle drug-resistant infections will cause 10 million deaths a year and cost up to $100 trillion a year by 2050.
FDA approves new version of Merck & Co’s Gardasil
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Merck & Co’s new version of Gardasil which protects against an additional five strains of the human papillomavirus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.
Haematologists love their CARs
There’s nothing like getting a new CAR, in fact, it just might save your life.
Novartis and UK govt team up for Sjogren’s syndrome
The National Institute for Health Research has started the UK’s first commercial trial, funded by Novartis, of a new treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome.
