The week in pharma: action, reaction and insight – week to December 9, 2022

By Barbara Obstoj-Cardwell. Editor

Among notable research news last week, Swiss pharma giant Novartis released positive Phase III data on its prostate cancer candidate Pluvicto. Also, oncology specialist Mirati Therapeutics last Monday reported an analysis of a Phase III trial with its sitravatinib that was mixed, but the firm intends to press on with the study. A day later, Mirati also published mid-stage results for its lung cancer candidate adagrasib. On the deal-making front, the USA’s Summit Therapeutics saw its shares jump almost 200% as it announced a licensing deal with China’s Akeso for the latter’s cancer candidate ivonescimab that could cost it as much as $5 billion. Also, Vertex entered into a licensing deal for rights to Entrada Therapeutics’ myotonic dystrophy program and its lead candidate ENTR-701.

Novartis Pluvicto PSMAfore trial successful