Entries by Victor Kotsev

Newron plans heart tests to lift schizophrenia trial hold

Italy’s Newron Pharmaceuticals has disclosed that the FDA kept U.S. enrollment in a Phase 3 trial of its schizophrenia drug evenamide on hold, citing five deaths across all the drug’s clinical studies. The company will ask the agency to lift the hold by screening patients for hidden heart-rhythm disorders, including with genetic tests.

Novartis drops TREM2 antibody in ALS after Phase 2 miss

Novartis has stopped developing its TREM2 antibody VHB937 (lifonebart) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after the 251-patient Phase 2 ASTRALS trial missed its primary and secondary endpoints, and shortly after Axoltis Pharma suffered a similar Phase 2 setback.

Menarini pays up to €726M for Chinese obesity drug

Italian pharma Menarini Group has licensed European rights to bofanglutide for obesity and excess weight, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist from China’s Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals dosed once every two weeks, for €62 million upfront, up to €664 million in milestones, and “double-digit” royalties. Menarini will handle regulatory submissions and commercialization across 39 European markets.