Shares in Morphosys AG dropped 20 percent last week as Celgene Corp. walked away from an alliance to develop its anti-CD38 antibody MOR202 in multiple myeloma. Read More
Data-analysis methods and variability of patient response figured into the second-half phase II surprise for Ohr Pharmaceutical Inc. with its eye-drop combination therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the company said lessons from the study – results of which are still being sorted – will optimize the phase III program, due to start a few months later than originally planned. Read More
New findings may take the art of repurposing one level up. By combining PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors, which are the current stars of cancer immunotherapy, with Cox inhibitors, which have a more checkered history as successful painkillers that were later found to raise the risk of heart attacks, scientists were able to enable mice to overcome a third disease – chronic viral infection. Read More
Questioning the FDA's authority to issue a rule that would ultimately put generic drugmakers on the legal hook for "failure-to-warn" claims, several brand and generic companies urged the agency Friday to consider their alternative, which would make the FDA responsible for drug labeling changes once there's generic competition. Read More
strong>Galderma SA, of Lausanne, Switzerland, reported a positive outcome of the European decentralized procedure for Soolantra (ivermectin) cream 10 mg/g for the once-daily topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of papulopustular rosacea in adult patients. Read More
Flamel Technologies SA, of Lyon, France, disclosed results of a first-in-human study in healthy volunteers using its Liquitime drug delivery platform applied to guaifenesin, a broadly used expectorant. Read More
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., of Laval, Quebec, closed a registered offering of common shares in which it raised gross proceeds of about $1.45 billion to fund its acquisition of Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Raleigh, N.C., as well as repayments of indebtedness of Salix and certain transaction expenses. Read More
Mallinckrodt plc, of Dublin, reported presentations at the Spring Clinical Meetings of the National Kidney Foundation in Dallas featuring real-world outcomes with H.P. Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) in the remission of proteinuria due to nephrotic syndrome associated with certain rare by serious kidney disorders. Read More
Researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Center have found that inhibiting PI3 kinase, a signaling molecule that sits at the intersection of metabolism, cancer and aging, could be an anti-obesity strategy. Read More
