Unpacking the complex U.S. drug pricing system to fix it starts with understanding how it works. It's become clear that many who make the rules are woefully unclear about a system that's rife with a lack of transparency, multilevel negotiations, hidden markups, cost shares, usual and customary prices, and a host of patient assistance programs (PAPs).

The challenges of drug development are vast and demanding. Keeping up with scientific advances, the competition, clinical trial roller coasters, global regulatory hurdles, financing innovation, pricing … the list is endless. But have the myriad responsibilities distracted us from the assumed main reason for developing new medicines? Is improving the human condition in a way that prioritizes the largest problems first too lofty a goal? What risks should sick patients take in the name of science and who is protecting the vulnerable? Who decides what’s right and safe in tinkering with our genetic makeup? Though watchdogs aplenty monitor various parts...

Patients are astonished when they learn that the development of most drugs has, historically, not incorporated human differences into the design equation. How and why age, ethnicity, gender and race haven't been woven into most clinical trial designs makes most people in the industry cringe because the issue is immensely complicated.

If you were overwhelmed trying to keep up with our breaking news bulletins and massive daily editions during this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, never fear. We've collected them all in a special ASCO 2014 report. (For the full report, see today's PDF edition of BioWorld Today.) We hope this is a valuable resource as you all push forward in attempts to conquer the insidious unregulated cell growth which makes up the collection of diseases, cancer.

SAN FRANCISCO – With a magnificent view of the early morning San Francisco skyline from the 32nd floor of the Westin St. Francis, Paul Cheng, CEO, chief scientific officer and founder of Hong Kong-based Bio-Cancer Treatment International Ltd., kicked off the emerging markets track of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference last week with a talk about how his little company is aiming big guns at hepatitis B-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – the third leading cause of cancer death in China.

SAN FRANCISCO – 2013 was not the best PR year for biopharmaceutical companies in Asia. The vast potential for success by doing business in those markets is complicated after a frenzied growth mode and now executives are faced with challenges of managing those businesses since bribery and corruption scandals have rocked Glaxosmithkline plc.

BEIJING – Just a few days after Beigene Co. Ltd.’s CEO and co-founder John Oyler signed a second sizable deal with the Merck Serono arm of Merck KGaA – the up-front payments undisclosed, but with a promise of almost $500 million if all milestones are achieved in both – he admitted the cash removes a layer of stress: “Maybe you sleep better at night, but it’s business as usual. The deal with Merck doesn’t change the way you work or the passion.”

BEIJING – Just a few days after Beigene Co. Ltd.’s CEO and co-founder John Oyler signed a second sizable deal with the Merck Serono arm of Merck KGaA – the up-front payments undisclosed, but with a promise of almost $500 million if all milestones are achieved in both – he admitted the cash removes a layer of stress: “Maybe you sleep better at night, but it’s business as usual. The deal with Merck doesn’t change the way you work or the passion.”

BEIJING – You’re not in the circle if you’re not talking China. That’s one Chinese venture capitalist’s take on things. His colleagues were optimistic and confident, too, as they described the biopharmaceutical investment landscape in a panel focused on early stage VC funding at BIO’s Convention here Wednesday.