Look back at pharma news to Sept 29

Last week saw AbbVie entering a patent settlement with Amgen relating to the latter’s biosimilar version of blockbuster drug Humira. US Food and Drug Administration acceptance for review of Eisai’s cancer drug Lenvima in a new indication, and FDA approval for Eli Lilly’s new breast cancer drug Verzenio also figured in the news. Also attracting attention was news on the failure of Axovant Sciences’ Alzheimer’s disease candidate intepirdine.

AbbVie sets the date for a cash-cow slaughter

Finally, a firm date to fix on for Humira biosimilars in the US: January 31, 2023. This is when Amgen will launch Amjevita, its adalimumab biosimilar that the FDA approved last September, according to a deal hammered out between Amgen and AbbVie on Thursday, commented EP Vantage, the editorial arm of the Evaluate group.