23 December 2024 New York-based Nuvation Bio today announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s new drug application (NDA) for taletrectinib, an investigational next-generation ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC (line agnostic), for priority review.
USA-based clinical-stage biopharma Traws Pharma saw its shares leap more than 150% to $12.57 as it announced progress in the development of its investigational one-dose influenza (flu) investigational therapy, tivoxavir marboxil for treatment of H5N1 bird flu. 24 December 2024
US pharma major Eli Lilly today announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound its (tirzepatide) as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity. 23 December 2024
AstraZeneca has secured European Commission approval for Tagrisso (osimertinib) to treat certain people with locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 23 December 2024
New York-based Nuvation Bio today announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s new drug application (NDA) for taletrectinib, an investigational next-generation ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC (line agnostic), for priority review. 23 December 2024
Spanish plasma-based medicines maker Grifols has announced disappointing top-line data from its Phase III PRECIOSA clinical trial evaluating the potential of long-term albumin treatment with Grifols Albutein on patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites, sending its share down 2.4% to 9.27 euros on Friday. 23 December 2024
Denmark has introduced a three-year agreement to regulate price ceilings for hospital medicines, aimed at providing stability for the public healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies. 23 December 2024
French pharma major Sanofi says it has entered into a new chapter of the collaboration with South Korean firm SK bioscience in pneumococcal vaccines, with an expanded agreement to develop, license and commercialize next-generation PCVs for both pediatric and adult populations. 23 December 2024
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved an expanded indication for Imcivree (setmelanotide), from Boston, USA-based Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, to include children as young as two years old. 23 December 2024
US pharma giant Pfizer on Friday revealed that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Braftovi (encorafenib) in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. 23 December 2024
Among significant research news last week, UK drug developer PureTech released positive new Phase IIb data on its deupirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. France’s Sanofi and Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced encouraging new Phase IIb data for their duvakitug in inflammatory bowel disease. Meanwhile, Vertex Pharmaceuticals released Phase II results for its investigational sciatica treatment suzetrigine that failed to impress. Also of note, AbbVie announced strong Phase III results of tavapadon in early Parkinson’s disease. 22 December 2024
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted a conditional marketing authorization for Duvyzat (givinostat) to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). 22 December 2024
Denmark’s Zealand Pharma has been hit with a complete response letter (CRL) from the US regulator for glepaglutide, a long-acting GLP-2 analog. 20 December 2024
Denmark’s Novo Nordisk today announced headline results from REDEFINE 1, a Phase III trial in the global REDEFINE program, which it said were positive, but failed to impress investors, who pushed the firms shares down 19% to 601.30 kroner. 20 December 2024
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tryngolza (olezarsen) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), a rare, genetic form of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) that can lead to potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis (AP). 20 December 2024
US pharma giant Merck has announced top-line results from two pivotal Phase III trials of the investigational, once-daily, oral, two-drug, single-tablet regimen of doravirine/islatravir (DOR/ISL). 20 December 2024
US biotech Assembly Biosciences has announced an equity investment of $20.1 million by Gilead Sciences to purchase additional common stock in the company and an amendment to their collaboration to advance the research and development of novel antiviral therapies with $10 million in accelerated funding. 20 December 2024
The Danish Ministry of Interior and Health has announced that the political parties have decided to permanently legalize treatment with medical cannabis in Denmark. 29 November 2024
The currently available evidence is not sufficient to establish a causal relationship between the use of the antibiotic doxycycline and the risk of suicidality. 29 November 2024
Taiwan-based Formosa Pharmaceuticals (6838: TW) revealed that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Medvisis Switzerland, in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, for exclusive rights to the commercialization of clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007), a marketed innovative treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. 29 November 2024
Industry is showing a very high level of readiness for upcoming new packaging and labelling measures impacting the UK market, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 29 November 2024
German family-owned pain focused drugmaker Grünenthal has announced the pricing of 500 million-euro ($527.5 million) aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior secured notes due 2031. 29 November 2024
The waiting time for Latin American patients with cancer, central nervous system disorders or rare diseases can take up to 4.75 years from the time a drug receives approval from global health authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA), until it is approved by their local authority and is available on the market, writes The Pharma Letter's local correspondent. 28 November 2024
A new indication for olverembatinib, developed by Suzhou-based Ascentage Pharma will be added to China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) from next year. 28 November 2024
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for the New Drug Application (NDA) for govorestat, a novel, central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI), for the treatment of classic galactosemia, under development by Applied Therapeutics. 28 November 2024
Munich, Germany headquartered contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Adragos Pharma has acquired Baccinex, a Swiss-based expert in aseptic fill-finish manufacturing. 28 November 2024
The board of Spanish plasma-based medicines producer Grifols has announced the termination of discussions with Brookfield Capital Partners (UK) regarding a potential acquisition of Grifols shares. 28 November 2024
UK-based drugmaker Advanz Pharma has announced that following the grant of a temporary suspension, as announced on last month, the General Court of the European Union (General Court) has decided not to further extend the suspension of the European Commission (EC) decision to revoke the conditional marketing authorization (CMA) for Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) in Europe. 28 November 2024
According to a report from industry analyst DelveInsight, the market for Down syndrome treatments in the USA is now valued at almost $250 million. 27 November 2024
The European Commission (EC) has approved a single-vial, fully liquid presentation of Menveo (meningococcal Group A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine, MenACWY vaccine) to help protect against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by bacterial serogroups A, C, W and Y, UK pharma major GSK announced today. 27 November 2024
The strain of opioid use disorder (OUD), a chronic neurological disorder characterized by the compulsive, repeated use of opioid drugs, has weighed heavily on many countries in recent years, especially the USA. 27 November 2024
Novartis announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence. 27 November 2024
The Biden administration has proposed a new rule that could significantly expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for obesity medications, potentially benefiting millions of Americans. 27 November 2024
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the review period for Soleno Therapeutics’ the New Drug Application (NDA) for DCCR (diazoxide choline) extended-release tablets 27 November 2024
Swiss drugmaker Idorsia was trading more than 10% higher by lunchtime on Wednesday. Idorsia earlier announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with an undisclosed party for the global rights to aprocitentan. 27 November 2024