The week in pharma: action, reaction and insight – week to October 13, 2023

By Barbara Obstoj-Cardwell. Editor

Featuring on the M&A front last week, US pharma major Bristol Myers Squibb revealed that it has reached agreement to acquire KRAS inhibitor company Mirati Therapeutics, and its lung cancer drug Krazati, for $4.8 billion. Among research news, Akero Therapeutics presented new Phase IIb results for its non-alcoholic steatohepatitis candidate, efruxifermin, which failed to impress investors. Regulatory developments included Supernus Pharmaceuticals resubmitting its new drug application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SPN-830 amomorphine infusion device for CNS diseases. The FDA revised its Manual of Policies and Procedures for generic drug submissions. Also, on Friday, the FDA approved US pharma giant Pfizer’s Velsipity (etrasimod) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Bristol Myers: Mirati acquisition brings new growth drivers