Since US senators in February conveyed the impression that drug developers might have misused market monopolies related to orphan drugs (ODs) to overprice their compounds, the status has come under closer scrutiny. Neither the US nor Europe currently have consistent approaches for deriving value for OD therapies. Pooling expertise and scattered patient data across borders could help ease both diagnosis and development, providing a foundation for pricing and giving patients much faster access to treatments.
Adocia: Advancing diabetes portfolio
AppointmentsFollowing Novo Nordisk, Dr. Stanislav Glezer has joined the French biopharmaceutical company Adocia as the new Chief Medical Officer. He will be responsible for designing and executing the clinical development plan of its diabetes treatments.
Uniqure from now on alone
Latest NewsItalian pharma company Chiesi Farmaceutici withdraws from a co-development agreement with gene therapy pioneer Uniqure. This will add US$1.5m to Uniqure’s expenses this year.
Orphan drugs: Treating a rarity
BackgroundSince US senators in February conveyed the impression that drug developers might have misused market monopolies related to orphan drugs (ODs) to overprice their compounds, the status has come under closer scrutiny. Neither the US nor Europe currently have consistent approaches for deriving value for OD therapies. Pooling expertise and scattered patient data across borders could help ease both diagnosis and development, providing a foundation for pricing and giving patients much faster access to treatments.
Neovacs raises €6m through private placement
Latest NewsFrench immunotherapy specialist Neovacs raises 6€m from three US institutional investors. The private placement involves the issuance of more than 9 million shares.
J&J intensifies vaccine endeavour with Bavarian Nordic
Latest NewsJohnson & Johnson has entered a new deal with Danish biotech Bavarian Nordic worth up to US$879m to develop vaccine regimens against hepatitis B and HIV.
GSK cancels 30 preclinical and clinical programmes
Latest NewsUK’s biggest pharma firm announced it will save an additional £1bn each year by 2020. 80% of the pharmaceutical R&D pipeline expenses will be directed towards two current (Respiratory and HIV/infectious diseases) and two potential (Oncology and Immuno-inflammation) priority areas.
Lesaffre invests €15.5m in phage start-up
Latest NewsFrench yeast manufacturer Lesaffre acquires an equity stake in US biotech company Intralytix. Paying more than €15m, Lesaffre gains valuable insights into the development and commercialisation of bacteriophage-based products.
Myovant strengthens executive team
AppointmentsSwiss-based pharmaceutical company Myovant Sciences Ltd. is adding four new executives. Among them is a new Chief Medical Director, Juan Camilo Arjona Ferreira. In addition, the company increases its competence in regulatory affairs.
€7.6m by CARB-X dangling for Antabio
Latest NewsFrench Antabio receives funding by the Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X). Including future milestone payments, Antabio is eligible for up to €7.6m for their treatment of chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
GSK expands its board with renowned cancer scientist
AppointmentsBritish pharma company GlaxoSmithKline plc. is expanding its company board and announced Laurie Glimcher as a non-executive director. Glimcher will join the board on 1 September.