Look back at pharma news in week to May 4

News in the past week featured two exciting sets of research results, with Allergan reporting positive Phase III trial results for its migraine drug candidate ubrogepant and mid-stage reports on Karyopharm’s selinexor in multiple myeloma. On the regulatory front, Novartis gained an additional approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for Kymriah in lymphoma, but this has raised questions. There was also a nice surprise for Portola Pharmaceuticals, with long-awaited approval for its anticoagulant reversal agent AndexXa. Also attracting comment was the decision of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals to split into two separate businesses.

Allergan hits another home run for 2nd migraine study

Last week, Allergan announced positive results from its  second Phase III study treating patients with acute migraine. The company used its drug ubrogepant to treat these patients. This is highly positive, because now it has all it needs to file a New Drug Application to the FDA by 2019. That's why Terry Chrisomalis, writing on the on the Seeking Alpha blog believes that Allergan is on track, and a good buy.