The risk and benefit of Pfizer Inc.’s oral sickle cell disease drug Oxbryta (voxelotor) has flipped, prompted by what the company called new clinical data indicating “an imbalance in vaso-occlusive crises and fatal events” that need more study. Based on an EMA recommendation, Pfizer said it is voluntarily recalling all lots of Oxbryta from wherever it’s approved worldwide. Pfizer also is shuttering its Oxbryta clinical studies and expanded access programs.
Despite a phase IIa failure in 2018 for lupus, Biogen Inc. and UCB Inc. maintained their collaboration and now have new positive data for their anti-CD40L candidate. Top-line phase III data show dapirolizumab pegol, along with the standard of care (SOC), met the primary endpoint in demonstrating an improvement in moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus compared to placebo and SOC at 48 weeks.
An innovation that has kickstarted a revolution in the study and practice of health care is getting even more attention. Three scientists who pioneered the discovery and development of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity treatments have been named 2024 Lasker Award winners.
A little more than a year after the U.S. FDA refused to review the NDA for Biohaven Ltd.’s ultra rare disease treatment, new and positive phase III data have changed the treatment’s momentum. The upbeat results came as a surprise to analysts and investors, with the stock having a strong day and the company prepping an NDA for a fourth quarter submission.
An innovation that has kickstarted a revolution in the study and practice of health care is getting even more attention. Three scientists who pioneered the discovery and development of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity treatments have been named 2024 Lasker Award winners.
An innovation that has kickstarted a revolution in the study and practice of health care is getting even more attention. Three scientists who pioneered the discovery and development of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity treatments have been named 2024 Lasker Award winners.
Positive data from two studies boosted Edgewise Therapeutics Inc.’s market share and elevated analyst enthusiasm for the company and its treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Top-line data from the phase I and phase II studies of EDG-7500 in treating the genetic disease that results in thickened heart muscles showed the therapy was well-tolerated in healthy volunteers and produced meaningful improvements in those with the disease.
Roivant Sciences Ltd. has sold another company, this time offering up Dermavant Sciences Ltd. to Organon & Co. for $1.2 billion. The deal brings Organon into a crowded market for plaque psoriasis treatments. The massive amount comprises an up-front $175 million payment, along with a potential $75 million regulatory milestone and up to $950 million in commercial milestones. In the deal, Organon brings in Vtama (tapinarof) cream, a topical, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist for mild, moderate and severe plaque psoriasis in adults.
Capricor Therapeutics Inc. has expanded its commercialization and distribution deal with Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd. to include the EU and the U.K. for deramiocel, Capricor’s lead asset, in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the new agreement, Capricor will receive an up-front payment of $20 million. Capricor will handle development and manufacturing duties for deramiocel while Nippon Shinyaku will be responsible for the sales and distribution.
Genentech’s newly approved multiple sclerosis (MS) injection takes about 10 minutes to administer, dramatically reducing the four to six hours required by its intravenous predecessor. The U.S. FDA approved the humanized monoclonal antibody Ocrevus Zunovo (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase-ocsq) for relapsing MS and primary progressive MS on Sept. 13.
