Biopharma News
Cell Medica Begins Commercial Manufacturing of Cell Therapies
The Berlin-Buch facility will begin manufacture of the company’s immune cell therapy.
First Hospira Biosimilar mAb Approved in West Europe
Hospira’s Inflectra (infliximab), a biosimilar for Remicade, is approved by the European Commission.
Juno Therapeutics Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capability
Juno's new manufacturing facility in Washington state will support clinical trials for immunotherapies.
Merck Animal Health and XL-protein Partner to Produce Biopharmaceuticals for Animals
The companies partnered to create more effective biopharmaceuticals through the exploitation of PASylation.
Genzyme Announces $845-Million Gene Therapy Deal
Genzyme will partner with Voyager Therapeutics for the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel gene therapies for central nervous system disorders.
Pfenex Partners with Hospira to Develop Lucentis Biosimilar
Pfenex announced that it entered into an agreement to partner with Hospira on the development and commercialization of PF582, a biosimilar candidate to Lucentis.
Amgen Announces Success in Humira Biosimilar Clinical Studies
Amgen announced that it met primary and secondary endpoints in its biosimilar evaluation of adalimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, when compared to Humira.
Will Economic Returns from Drugs Continue to Disintegrate?
The recent mergers, partnerships, and incentive-laden deals in pharma may keep the industry from continuing to experience diminishing returns, according to IMS’ Michael Kleinrock.
Pfizer to Acquire Hospira for Nearly $17 Billion
The deal may offset billions of dollars in waning sales from Pfizer drugs slated to lose patent protection and provides Pfizer with a whole portfolio of biosimilar products.
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Pfizer's Palbociclib
The cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer was approved more than two months ahead of the prescription drug user fee goal date.
Sanofi Launches first Inhalable Insulin in the US
Sanofi launched a rapidly absorbed, short-acting inhalable insulin in the US to help control type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Shantha Constructs Insulin Facility in India
The Shantha facility will be Sanofi's second, in addition to its site in Frankfurt, for production of Insuman insulin.
Precision Biologics Enlists the Help of EMD Millipore for Upstream Process Development
EMD Millipore will provide process development services for Precision Biologics’ preclinical monoclonal antibody.
Patent Exclusivity for Biologics: Seven or Twelve Years?
Developing intellectual property standards for biological products is a point of conflict as negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership continue.
FDA Approves BMS and J&J HIV Treatments
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson announced FDA-approval of Evotaz and Prezcobix, combination HIV-1 infection treatments.
AstraZeneca Signs on for CRISPR Gene Editing Technology
AstraZeneca will team up with various organizations to employ CRISPR technology for precise gene editing in recombinant cell lines.
GlaxoSmithKline Promises to Keep Vaccine Prices Low for Gavi Members
The pharmaceutical manufacturer pledged to freeze vaccine prices for Gavi-eligible countries for a decade.
PCSK9 Inhibitor from Sanofi and Regeneron Snags Priority Review
The potential blockbuster treatment targets a protein involved in cholesterol homeostasis.
Zymeworks Partners with Celgene on the Development of Bispecific Antibodies
Under terms of the agreement, Zymeworks could earn up to $164 million per successful drug candidate.
Giovanni Caforio Named BMS CEO
Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced that Giovanni Caforio will be the company’s chief executive officer effective May 5; Lamberto Andreotti has been named chairman.
Boehringer Ingelheim Announces Partnership with Vanderbilt University to Develop Ras Inhibitors
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that it would partner with Vanderbilt University to research and develop Ras inhibitors for the treatment of cancers affected by Ras mutation.
Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim Enter into Monoclonal Antibody Alliance
Sanofi will tap into Boehringer Ingelheim’s therapeutic monoclonal antibody manufacturing capabilities.
Hospira Submits Application for Epoetin Alfa Biosimilar to FDA
The move represents Hospira’s first biosimilar submission in the United States.
Commercial-Scale Cell Therapy Manufacturing Partnership Announced
The new partnership between NeoStem and Invetech focuses on the development of a closed processing system for cell-based therapy manufacturing.
Shire Announces NPS Pharma Acquisition for $5.2 billion
Shire adds rare-disease portfolio with acquisition of NPS Pharma.
Pfizer will Forgo Advisory Panel for Breast Cancer Drug Palbociclib
The decision to skip an FDA panel advisory may allow the medication to be approved more quickly.
Mixed Results for Biogen Idec’s Neuroprotective Drug
Biogen Idec’s investigational monoclonal antibody met its primary endpoints in a recent Phase II for the treatment of acute optic neuritis.
CVS Health Strikes Hepatitis C Drug Exclusivity Deal with Gilead
The exclusivity deal mirrors that of the recent deal between Express Scripts and AbbVie for Viekira Pak.
Drug Approvals Highest Since 1996
In 2014, FDA approved 41 new molecular entities, which is the highest number since 1996.
Anti-PD-1 Therapies: Immune to Pricing Wars?
Although competing therapies will continue to be released in the immune-oncology space, efficacy profiles, combination regimens, and administration setting may influence a drug’s preferred status more than price.