Look back at pharma news in week to August 3

In news last week, on the clinical trials front RedHill BioPharma attracted attention with its Phase III study of Crohn’s candidate RHB-104. There was disappointment for Sienna Biopharmaceuticals as its acne vulgaris drug SNA-001 failed in a Phase III study, and Epizyme’s update on tazemetostat development for lymphoma caused some concern as the company lost 24% of its market value. Regulatory news included Progenics’ rare disease drug Azedra approval by the US Food and Drug Administration also elicited comment, as did European Union approval and pending launch of Amgen and Novartis’ migraine drug Aimovig.

RedHill snatches defeat from the jaws of victory in Crohn’s

Israel’s RedHill Biopharma is claiming a  Phase III win with an unorthodox, antibiotic-based approach to treating Crohn’s disease. But a lack of efficacy at one year with its candidate, RHB-104, could put a spanner in the works, according to EP Vantage, the editorial arm of the Evaluate group.