Stellar third quarter earnings reported last week by Biogen Idec Inc., including another home run for the company with Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), put a spotlight on the promising pipeline of next-generation multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs. Weston, Mass.-based Biogen is smack in the middle of that hunt. In addition to its four commercial MS products – Ampyra/Fampyra (dalfampridine), Avonex (interferon beta-1a), Tysabri (natalizumab) and Tecfidera – the company has two MS drugs in Phase III development: Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) and anti-IL2 antibody daclizumab, which is partnered with Abbvie Inc., of Chicago. Read More
Companies need to start planning for reimbursement from Medicare and private insurances well ahead of FDA approval according to a new guide to reimbursement put out by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine. Read More
Biotech bubbleologists will be out in force following a rough month for the sector, which saw blue-chip companies developing new medicines collectively record their first reversal for over 18 months. Read More
