Several drugs already selected for Medicare price negotiations, including Novo Nordisk A/S’ mega-blockbuster diabetes/weight-loss franchise, could see up to a three-year reprieve if a bipartisan bill recently introduced in the U.S. House and Senate becomes law.
Positive top-line data from phase II and III studies of lorundrostat for treating uncontrolled or resistant hypertension propelled Mineralys Therapeutics Inc.’s stock sharply upward on March 10. The phase III Launch-HTN study hit its primary endpoint in reducing systolic blood pressure and the phase II Advance-HTN study also met its primary endpoint of a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure. Oral lorundrostat targets dysregulated mineralcorticoid aldosterone as a selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor. Mineralys estimated there to be about 15- to 20-million patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the U.S. On March 10, the Radnor, Pa.-based company’s shares (NASDAQ:MLYS) closed 42% upward at $14.96 each.
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Alk-Abello, Bavarian, BMS, Ferring, Scpharmaceuticals.
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Kancera, Novakand, Orgenesis, Recardio, Virpax.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Astrazeneca, Avacta, Atyr, Biocon, Eli Lilly, Sun, Torqur.