Strategy
Merck’s immuno-oncology blockbuster was the world’s best-selling drugs by revenues for the second year in a row, with an almost $12bn lead over its closest rival, Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug Ozempic.
Ordspono, a bispecific antibody newly approved in the EU to treat follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, joins Libtayo in Regeneron’s growing oncology portfolio.
Nemluvio is a first-in-class IL-31 inhibitor that the US FDA approved for prurigo nodularis.
CEO Bill Anderson would not be drawn on whether the drug, currently approved for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes, will hit a previous forecast of €3bn peak sales, but expansion into heart failure may make that figure look conservative.
Francesco Hofmann, head of R&D at the mid-sized French group, tells Scrip that its strategy of not playing in the spaces that are dominated by big pharma is paying off.
The IL-4/13 inhibitor was approved in the US for COPD, a blockbuster-sized indication, but the commercial ramp could take time and several competitors are on its heels.
Johnson & Johnson’s drug for treatment-resistant depression got off to a slow start when it launched in 2019, but strong sales growth has put it on a blockbuster trajectory this year.
As it posts third-quarter numbers that again reveal the decline of revenues from its multiple sclerosis portfolio, the US biotech major is entering into the hot area of targeted protein degradation to boost its immunology and neurology pipeline.
Starboard Value has reportedly bought a $1bn stake in Pfizer with an ambition to turn the big pharma around. But growth, not cost cuts, are Pfizer’s challenge.
The German group is spinning off from Eckert & Ziegler and listing in Frankfurt, though a leap to the NASDAQ will likely follow once it has more data on a lymphoma theranostic.
The Danish firm’s dermatology products have made significant strides in the past six months, leading to an upwards revision of its sales forecast for full-year 2024.
Deal Snapshot: The Belgian company follows a tradition of Western pharma companies relying on local expertise to market their products in China.
While 2024 has seen two buyouts of antibody-drug conjugate specialists with $1bn-plus price tags, the focus on ADCs has continued, accounting for almost half of recent oncology deals.
Plus deals involving Lilly/Oblique, Rafael Holdings/Cyclo, ADCendo/Multitude, Ocuvex/Visiox and more.
Serum Institute is working on an mpox vaccine while other Indian firms are weighing options after the WHO sounded an alert and a new case was reported in neighboring Pakistan. Scrip looks at factors that could favor development and/or manufacture of an mpox vaccine at Indian majors.
TMB-001, a topical formulation of isotretinoin, missed its primary endpoint in the ASCEND study and will not be filed for approval. Leo is turning its attention to hand eczema and dealmaking.
The company, in its new profitable era, is bringing in new leadership, with Amgen VP of medical affairs for rare diseases Greg Friberg and recently retired Roche Partnering head James Sabry.
An extension of the pivotal study backing Zepbound (tirzepatide)’s approval for obesity demonstrated 94% risk reduction for type 2 diabetes as well as sustained weight loss over three years.
The start-up launched last year with Phase III-ready upacicalcet, which has nearly completed two pivotal trials in secondary hyperparathyroidism and for which it has exclusive rights outside of Asia.