Pharma News
18 May 2025 to 24 May 2025
May 24, 2025
Nucala Receives Authorization for Treatment of 'Smoker's Lung' - ARY News
The FDA has approved GSK's asthma drug Nucala for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as "smoker's lung." This approval expands Nucala's use as an add-on therapy, following a trial showing a 21% reduction in exacerbations. Nucala, a monoclonal antibody, recorded £1.78 billion in sales last year. Other approved treatments include Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent.
May 23, 2025
Novartis focuses on aging as the new frontier in pharmaceutical innovation - SWI swissinfo.ch
Novartis is re-entering the ageing research field, aiming to develop drugs for age-related diseases through its new research group, DARe. The Swiss pharma giant has partnered with BioAge Labs to leverage its extensive data on human longevity. With the global population of older adults expected to double by 2050, the market for geriatric medicines is projected to surge significantly.
May 23, 2025
Merus celebrates 'unmatched' survival rates in solid tumor bispecific treatment, leading to a surge in stock prices - Fierce Biotech
Merus has announced a 79% 12-month survival rate for cancer patients treated with its bispecific antibody, petosemtamab, in a phase 2 trial alongside Merck's Keytruda. The trial showed a 63% response rate, including six complete responses. CEO Bill Lundberg expressed optimism about potential accelerated FDA approval, leading to a 13% rise in Merus shares.
May 23, 2025
Should You Consider Investing in Immunocore Stock at This Time? - TradingView
Immunocore's Kimmtrak (tebentafusp-tebn) is experiencing significant sales growth, generating $310 million in 2024, a 30% increase year-over-year. The drug, approved in 39 countries for metastatic uveal melanoma, saw a 33.6% sales rise in Q1 2025. Immunocore is also developing brenetafusp in combination with Bristol Myers' Opdivo (nivolumab) for advanced melanoma. The company holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
May 23, 2025
Bayer Receives CHMP Approval for Eylea 8 mg in the European Union for Two Significant Eye Conditions - TradingView
Bayer (BAYRY) announced that the European Medicines Agency's CHMP has recommended a label extension for Eylea 8 mg (aflibercept), allowing treatment intervals of up to six months for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. If approved, Eylea 8 mg will be the only anti-VEGF therapy in the EU with such extended intervals, enhancing patient compliance.
May 23, 2025
Novartis Focuses on Aging as the Next Frontier in Pharmaceutical Innovation - MENAFN.com
Swiss pharma giant Novartis is re-entering ageing research, aiming to develop a blockbuster drug for older adults. Partnering with BioAge Labs, Novartis seeks to leverage extensive data on human longevity. With the geriatric medicine market projected to grow significantly, Novartis aims to understand biological drivers of ageing to create novel treatments for age-related diseases.
May 23, 2025
Roche Receives FDA Approval for Expanded Use of Susvimo for a Third Indication - TradingView
Roche's ophthalmology drug Susvimo (ranibizumab injection) has received FDA approval for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, marking its third indication. The approval is based on positive results from the phase III Pavilion study, showing significant vision improvement with only one treatment every nine months. Susvimo is a refillable eye implant, enhancing Roche's ophthalmology portfolio alongside Vabysmo.
May 23, 2025
Research indicates that weight-loss medications could reduce cancer risk in individuals with diabetes.
A study of 170,000 patient records suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound, may lower the risk of obesity-related cancers in U.S. adults with diabetes. Those taking these medications had a 7% lower risk of developing such cancers compared to those on other diabetes drugs. The findings will be discussed at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.
May 22, 2025
GSK's asthma medication receives FDA authorization for the treatment of 'smoker's lung' - TradingView
The FDA has approved GSK's asthma drug Nucala for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as "smoker's lung." This approval expands Nucala's use as an add-on therapy, following a trial showing a 21% reduction in exacerbations. Nucala, a monoclonal antibody, recorded £1.78 billion in sales last year. Other approved treatments include Sanofi's Dupixent and Verona Pharma's Ohtuvayre.
May 22, 2025
GSK's asthma medication Nucala receives FDA approval for the treatment of 'smoker's lung' - TradingView
The FDA has approved GSK's asthma drug Nucala for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as "smoker's lung." This approval expands Nucala's use as an add-on therapy, following a trial showing a 21% reduction in exacerbations. Nucala, a monoclonal antibody, recorded £1.78 billion in sales last year. Other approved treatments include Sanofi's Dupixent and Verona Pharma's Ohtuvayre.
May 22, 2025
GSK's Inflammation Medication Receives Fresh FDA Approval for COPD, Intensifying Rivalry with Sanofi's Treatment
GSK's drug Nucala has received FDA approval as an add-on treatment for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by high eosinophil levels. This biologic medicine targets type 2 inflammation and is administered monthly. Nucala's approval follows a successful Phase 3 trial showing a 21% reduction in exacerbations, positioning it against Sanofi's Dupixent, which has a similar indication.
May 22, 2025
GSK's asthma medication receives FDA authorization for the treatment of 'smoker's lung' - Yahoo News Singapore
The U.S. FDA has approved GSK's asthma drug Nucala for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as "smoker's lung." This approval follows a late-stage trial showing a 21% reduction in exacerbations. Nucala, a monoclonal antibody, recorded £1.78 billion in sales last year. Other approved treatments include Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent and Verona Pharma's Ohtuvayre.
May 22, 2025
GSK's Nucala receives approval for COPD, intensifying competition with Dupixent - Endpoints News
GSK's blockbuster respiratory drug Nucala has been approved for certain patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), positioning it for competition against Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent.
May 21, 2025
Dei BioPharma's diabetes medication receives FDA evaluation - The Observer
The FDA has accepted Uganda's Dei BioPharma's application to review its generic liraglutide, a diabetes and weight loss drug. This marks a significant milestone for African pharmaceutical innovation. Led by Dr. Matthias Magoola, Dei BioPharma aims to make treatments more accessible, with potential revenues of $5–10 billion. The company is also developing an oral version of liraglutide, enhancing patient access.
May 21, 2025
Patents for Secondary Medical Applications in Brazil - Mondaq
Brazil's approach to Swiss-type patent claims for second medical uses balances innovation and public health. The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) allows patenting under strict criteria, ensuring novelty and inventive step. This framework encourages pharmaceutical companies to explore new therapeutic applications for existing compounds, vital for addressing unmet medical needs while navigating complex patent landscapes.
May 21, 2025
AstraZeneca Shares Drop 6% Over the Past Quarter: Is It a Good Time to Invest? - TradingView
AstraZeneca (AZN) stock has declined 6.4% over the past three months, influenced by market uncertainties and potential tariff impacts. Despite challenges, the company boasts a strong portfolio of 16 blockbuster drugs, particularly in oncology, with expectations for continued growth. Analysts remain optimistic, suggesting investors consider buying AZN shares, which are currently trading below their five-year average.
May 21, 2025
Genentech Places Another Bet on Orionis, Eyeing Over $2 Billion in Competitive Molecular Glue Market
Roche's subsidiary Genentech has signed a $105 million deal, potentially exceeding $2 billion, with Orionis Biosciences to develop small-molecule monovalent glues for cancer treatment. This partnership enhances Roche's position in the growing molecular glue therapeutic space, following similar moves by major companies like Bristol Myers Squibb and Novo Nordisk. Orionis will lead candidate discovery, while Genentech manages clinical development.
May 21, 2025
FTC Intensifies Efforts to Eliminate Invalid Drug Patents Hindering Generic Medications - NTD News
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is challenging over 200 patent listings from companies including Novartis, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Specialty, Covis Pharma, and Teva, claiming they improperly delay generic drug competition. This action aims to lower prescription costs for drugs like asthma inhalers and EpiPens. The FTC emphasizes that such practices harm consumers by keeping prices high.
May 21, 2025
FTC Intensifies Efforts Against Misclassified Drug-Device Patents
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is challenging the patent listings of 17 brand-name drugs, including Teva’s Qvar inhalers and Viatris’ EpiPen. The FTC issued warning letters to seven companies, stating that many device-related patents should not be listed in the FDA’s Orange Book. Companies have 30 days to delist the patents or certify their validity.
May 20, 2025
Boehringer's New IPF Medication Fails to Impress - Citeline News & Insights
The Phase III results for nerandomilast, the follow-up to the blockbuster drug Ofev, have been released, but the findings do not meet expectations for significant improvements in efficacy and safety.
May 20, 2025
Enhancing Clarity in the Biologic Patent Process - The Regulatory Review
Scholars Robin Feldman and Gideon Schor propose amendments to the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI Act) to enhance patent disclosures and promote biosimilar competition. They argue that the current "patent dance" process hinders transparency and competition, leading to high biologic drug prices. Their recommendations include mandatory patent disclosures to the FDA and incentives for biosimilar manufacturers to engage in the approval process.
May 20, 2025
Pfizer strikes a historic $1.25 billion agreement to acquire rights to a promising cancer treatment from China | Caliber.Az
Pfizer has made a historic $1.25 billion upfront payment to license an experimental cancer drug from China's 3SBio Inc., marking the largest licensing fee for a Chinese biotech drug. The deal could yield 3SBio up to $4.8 billion in milestone payments. Pfizer aims to compete with Merck's Keytruda, as 3SBio's drug shows promising results in clinical trials.
May 20, 2025
Unprecedented number of FDA biosimilar approvals opens doors for pharmaceutical developers.
The FDA approved a record 19 biosimilars in 2024, with expectations for 2025 to exceed this number, according to GlobalData. This trend, driven by patent expirations of major biologics like UCB SA’s Cimzia and Johnson & Johnson’s Simponi, presents significant opportunities for Contract Manufacturing Organizations as competition and consumer demand for lower prices increase.
May 20, 2025
Noom introduces microdoses of customized Wegovy for weight management - Quartz
Noom is launching smaller doses of compounded Wegovy, a weight-loss drug by Novo Nordisk, to meet rising demand for affordable solutions. The SmartDose program allows personalized dosing, starting at $149, to minimize side effects and costs. This initiative comes amid increasing competition in the weight-loss market, including Eli Lilly's Zepbound, and potential FDA scrutiny on compounded drugs.
May 20, 2025
Are Drug Prices Justified? - McMinnville - Southern Standard
Independent pharmacists in McMinnville discuss the rising costs of prescription drugs, attributing high prices to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and lack of government oversight. They call for fair treatment compared to major chains. President Trump's recent executive order aims to lower drug prices by aligning reimbursement rates with those in other countries, but faces strong opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.
May 20, 2025
U.S. citizens deserve a reduction in medication expenses - Altoona Mirror
The White House plans to align U.S. drug prices with those in other countries, addressing the significant price disparities for medications like Wegovy and Keytruda. The proposed most-favored-nation pricing could lower U.S. costs while potentially raising prices abroad. This strategy aims to rectify the imbalance where Americans subsidize global pharmaceutical innovation.
May 19, 2025
Ionis reveals advanced trial results for heart medication; Armata showcases potential treatment for staph infections.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced positive Phase 3 data for its cardiovascular drug, olezarsen, demonstrating efficacy with two different dosages. The results mark a significant advancement in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, updates on Applied Therapeutics and Acadia were also highlighted in the news.
May 19, 2025
Increasing reports from patients suggest that Ozempic may lead to permanent vision impairment.
Patients report irreversible vision loss linked to Ozempic, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss. Edward Fanelli, the first to sue its maker, Novo Nordisk, claims he was not warned about the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Attorney Jason Goldstein represents multiple clients seeking updated warnings and compensation, while Novo Nordisk maintains that NAION is not a recognized adverse effect.
May 19, 2025
PFE or MRK: Which Oncology Pharmaceutical Leader is the Superior Investment Choice at This Time? - TradingView
Merck (MRK) and Pfizer (PFE) are prominent players in oncology, with Merck's Keytruda driving over 50% of its revenue. Pfizer's oncology sales account for 25% of its total, bolstered by its 2023 Seagen acquisition. Despite challenges, Pfizer's growth prospects and higher dividend yield make it a more attractive investment compared to Merck, which faces uncertainties ahead of Keytruda's patent expiration in 2028.
