Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

AZ withdraws lung cancer drug from EU lead market

After AstraZeneca removed its NSCLC drug osimertinib from the German market following a benefit assessment of German health technology assessor G-BA negatively impacting price negotiations, the German oncologist association DGHO accuses the G-BA not to act in the best interest of lung cancer patients.

Bioregions deliver action plan blueprint

While DG Research has delayed its update on the European Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan until next June, the Central and Eastern Bioregions presented a blueprint that proposes key actions aimed at integrating the goals of the European Commission’s circular economy and the bioeconomy strategies.

Germany lagging behind in stem cell research

A new analysis comparing the amount of funding invested into stem cell research clearly demonstrates declining investment in Germany. In contrast, the US, the UK, Sweden and Japan have increased their investments into the future field.

Merck drops MS collaboration with Apitope

Apitope said it has regained global rights to its IL-10-bolstering vaccination ATX-MS-1467 for remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis from Merck KGaA. A 2009 contract forsaw that Merck will take over commercialisation cost following Phase II testing. Phase II data are due to be published in Q4/2016.

EPO rules threaten biotech industry

The European Patent Office’s decision to speed up examination of patent applications to 12 months without any transition period is set to ruin biotech SMEs financially and may send a blocking signal to innovators. 

Roche’s NSLC mAb outperforms chemo

Roche is making up lost ground in immuno-oncology. The Swiss company’s PD-L1 directed immunotherapy atezolizumab is more effective in combatting lung cancer than standard chemotherapy.

CPhI sheds light on future markets

With  about 38,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitors, CPhI worldwide in Barcelona has broken another record. Personalised 3D printed pills and hypothesis generation using big data were only two trends reported.