Look back at pharma news in week to March 9

There was bad news and good news on the research front last week, with a big disappointment for Dermira in a Phase III trial of its acne drug candidate olumacostat glasaretil. On the positive side, Clearside Biomedical’s came out with flying colors with its Phase III study of macular edema drug suprachoroidal CLS-TA, and a significant achievement for Esperion Therapeutics’ bempedoic acid. On the regulatory front, Theratechnologies gained US Food and Drug Approval for its HIV drug Trogarzo. And in the licensing arena there was a massive potentially worth $5.76 billion worldwide co-development and co-commercialization deal between Merck & Co and Japan’s Eisai its thyroid cancer Lenvima. Also attracting attention was Sanofi’s collaboration with Evotec on anti-infectives.

Dermira tumbles on Phase III data for acne, but hope remains

On Monday, Dermira announced that it had  failed two Phase III trials using its topical gel olumacostat glasaretil (DRM01). Both of these trials were treating patients with acne. It is really bad that the company did not succeed in either study, but that doesn't mean that it is the end of the company, commented Terry Chrisomalis on the Seeking Alpha blog. It has another clinical candidate heading up for potential FDA approval. Considering these other programs have the potential to turn things around, he thinks that Dermira still has a shot at success.