Pharma News
14 Jan 2024 to 20 Jan 2024
Jan 19, 2024
The Best 5 Biosimilar Articles of the Week from January 15
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted marketing authorization to Uzpurvo, the first biosimilar to reference Stelara (ustekinumab), for the treatment of Crohn disease, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. The approval marks a significant milestone in the biosimilar market.
Jan 19, 2024
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute develops and obtains patents for novel EGFR mutant inhibitors designed specifically for the treatment of NSCLC.
The EMA announced a safety review of six approved CAR T-cell cancer therapies, coinciding with a similar alert by the FDA. The review aims to assess the safety of these therapies and determine any potential risks associated with their use.
Jan 19, 2024
Eli Lilly Experiences Remarkable Achievement in the Weight Loss Drug Industry
Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly Company has achieved great success in the weight loss drug market, with its stock surging over the past five years. The company's strategic shift has led to the development of profitable obesity and diabetes drugs such as Trulicity and Mounjaro, which accounted for a significant portion of the company's revenue. Additionally, the recent FDA approval of Zepbound for obesity and ongoing research in high-demand segments further solidify Eli Lilly's market position. With impressive growth and a robust pipeline, the company is well-positioned in the growing market for weight loss and diabetes medications.
Jan 18, 2024
The pharmaceutical industry has increased prices of 770 medications in 2024, including Ozempic and Mounjaro. Have you noticed any changes in the cost of your medications?
Drugmakers have increased the prices of over 770 drugs since the beginning of the year, including widely used medications. For instance, Novo Nordisk raised the price of its diabetes drug Ozempic by 3.5%, while Eli Lilly increased the cost of its diabetes drug Mounjaro by 4.5%. AstraZeneca has also raised the prices of blood cancer treatment Calquence, lung cancer drug Tagrisso, and asthma treatment Fasenra. Pfizer has increased the prices of Xeljanz, Ibrance, and Xalkori. Pharmaceutical companies claim these hikes are necessary for investments in drug discovery.
Jan 18, 2024
A pharmacy and its customers face disappointment as the popularity of counterfeit Ozempic comes crashing down.
ACA Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy based in Nashville, specialised in producing weight-loss drugs and made millions last year. Last month, the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy suspended ACA's operations, and now the FDA is issuing a warning to patients about the use of compounded weight-loss drugs, especially ACA's semaglutide, as there is concern over sterility issues.
Jan 18, 2024
Potential Treatment: Epilepsy medication shows promise in reducing joint damage and relieving pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Researchers have found that the epilepsy drug Carbamazepine may have the potential to be used as a treatment for osteoarthritis. A study published in Nature found that inhibiting a particular sodium channel in neurons and cartilage cells can reduce pain and joint damage caused by osteoarthritis. The sodium channel, known as Na v 1.7, can be successfully inhibited by Carbamazepine. This research points to potential treatment options for osteoarthritis but needs to be tested in humans.
Jan 18, 2024
Bayer and Sun Pharma collaborate on marketing and distributing a second brand of cardiac medication in India
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Bayer have entered into an agreement to market and distribute a second brand of Finerenone, a medication used to reduce the risk of kidney disease and cardiovascular complications in adult patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in India. The second brand of Finerenone will be marketed under the name Lyvelsa. The collaboration aims to make innovative medicines more accessible to patients in India, where diabetes is a major health issue.
Jan 18, 2024
Pharmaceutical companies exploit the patent system | The Gazette
The Biden administration has issued a warning to pharmaceutical companies, stating that if the price of certain drugs is too high, they may allow other companies to produce the same product. Under the new plan, the government would consider overriding patents for expensive drugs developed with taxpayer money. This move comes as more than 80% of voters across party lines are in favor of federal agencies encouraging prescription drug competition. Senator Chuck Grassley is advocating for patent reforms to ensure more affordable medications for Iowa and the entire United States.
Jan 17, 2024
Business News reveals six factors contributing to the high costs of medication in the United States
Florida's plan to import drugs from Canada has shed light on the high cost of prescription drugs in the US. Drug prices in the US are nearly twice as high as those in other wealthy countries, even with rebates. The US lacks a central negotiator for drug prices, resulting in reduced bargaining power. Additionally, there are no price controls in place, creating distorted incentives for various players in the healthcare system. The fragmented and complex system makes it difficult for patients to determine actual costs. Lastly, drug prices in the US are set based on what the market will bear.
Jan 17, 2024
A Latvian scientist claims that his startup is leading the way in AI drug discovery competition.
Insilico Medicine, a Hong Kong and New York-based company, claims to be ahead of its competitors in using artificial intelligence (AI) to discover blockbuster drugs. The company has acquired 17 preclinical candidates, a feat unmatched by any other company, according to founder and co-CEO Alex Zhavoronkov. Insilico's AI-discovered drug candidates recently attracted the attention of Italian drugmaker Menarini Group, which signed a more than $500 million deal to license a potential breast cancer drug from Insilico. However, despite the promise of AI-powered drug discovery, no successful
Jan 17, 2024
NIH Director Adopts Cautious Strategy in Implementing March-In Drug Patent Rights
NIH Director, Monica Bertagnolli, is proceeding cautiously with regards to implementing President Biden's call for fair drug prices for drugs developed with federal funds. The new director is not taking any major steps towards invoking the government's march-in rights on drug patents just yet. Meanwhile, Florida's plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada is facing backlash from Canadians who argue it could exacerbate their own drug shortages, and experts doubt the program will provide cost breaks for Floridians.
Jan 17, 2024
BioWorld reports that Biofront has successfully developed novel cancer inhibitors targeting HPK1, FLT3, and AURKA.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has initiated a review of the safety of six approved CAR T-cell cancer therapies, mirroring the U.S. FDA's recent alert. The review aims to assess any potential risks associated with these treatments, which have shown promise in treating certain types of cancer.
Jan 17, 2024
Sun Pharma to distribute a specific brand of Bayer's Finerenone drug for treating CKD
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has announced that it will market Bayer's drug Finerenone in India under the brand name Lyvelsa. Finerenone is used to reduce the risk of kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and other related conditions in adult patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This collaboration aims to provide innovative and accessible treatment options for patients in India. Finerenone was first launched by Bayer under the brand name Kerendia in 2022.
Jan 17, 2024
Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc (COLL) has experienced a 0.99% increase in one week, is it a good idea to consider accumulating shares?
Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc (COLL) is performing well in the Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic industry, receiving an overall rating of 55. The company is also ranked above 82 percent of its industry peers, positioning it at the top. Overall, the Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic industry is ranked 122 out of 148 industries.
Jan 16, 2024
Regeneron files a lawsuit against Amgen regarding the biosimilar alternative of a widely used eye medication.
Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review (LSIPR) is a leading source of news and analysis on the challenges faced by intellectual property specialists in the rapidly evolving field of life sciences. From gene patents to stem cell research, LSIPR provides comprehensive coverage of these topics. Access to the full article and thousands more is available through a subscription to LSIPR.
Jan 16, 2024
Biotech company, Sitryx Therapeutics, secures patent for novel NRF2 activators targeting inflammatory disorders - BioWorld
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has initiated a review of the safety of six CAR-T cell cancer therapies, mirroring the alert issued by the US FDA six weeks earlier. This review will assess the potential risks associated with these approved therapies.
Jan 16, 2024
Experts caution the public on the potential risks of a popular TikTok trend centered around a self-created weight loss method, while also addressing concerns about 'budget Ozempic.
The blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic, which is also used for weight loss, has been in short supply due to high demand for off-label use. The high cost of the drug has led some people to turn to DIY weight loss hacks, such as using laxatives, popularized on TikTok. However, experts warn against the risks of using laxatives for weight loss, as they only flush out water weight and can lead to severe health implications.
Jan 16, 2024
Opinion: Aspiring for a healthier and happier new year by addressing the issue of reduced prices for prescription drugs
Pharmaceutical companies abusing the U.S. patent system by obtaining multiple patents for slight variations of existing drugs is causing high prescription drug prices in the U.S. To address this issue, congressional reforms are needed to prevent the over-patenting that blocks generic drugs. This will provide more affordable options for patients, including those in North Dakota.
Jan 16, 2024
The Business News highlights the five main subjects discussed at the 2024 JPMorgan Healthcare Conference.
The JPMorgan Healthcare conference in San Francisco brought cautious optimism for the biotech and pharma industry in 2024. Access to capital is expected to become easier, and there is a surge in M&A activity and IPOs. However, challenges remain, including high interest rates and the Inflation Reduction Act. Artificial intelligence is a topic of discussion, with potential for accelerating drug development. GLP-1s and cell and gene therapy are areas of interest, and China is seen as a growing medical innovation powerhouse.
