Israel

Teva enjoyed a favorable tax status for years in its domestic Israel. However, after the firm battled in court against challenges to its historic tax payments, Teva has now agreed a three-quarters-of-a-billion dollar settlement agreement with the Israel Tax Authority.

J&J says it has “exhausted all current viable avenues” to get its antidepressant nasal spray Spravato reimbursed on England’s National Health Service, after NICE decided against re-appraising the drug following numerous funding rejections.

Viatris offered little in the way of detail as it announced a setback for its Mapi Pharma-partnered proposed once-monthly glatiramer acetate product for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The firm has previously shouted from the rooftops about Mapi’s Phase III clinical study and the potential to establish a new standard of care for glatiramer acetate patients.

In a much watched and controversial case that may have significant ramifications on the “chilling effects” of generics manufacturers in Israel being deterred from chasing after approvals in which an originator has deceitfully sought to ‘evergreen’ its branded intellectual property, the Israeli Supreme Court has once again come down on the side of the generics industry.

As part of a Generics Bulletin series focusing on some of the industry’s biggest players, we look at the changing landscape at Teva in 2023, spearheaded by the appointment of its CEO Richard Francis.

Biopharma executives in Israel rely on their global footprint and a 'culture of resilience'.  

FDA continues to see in-person inspections as more efficient and more effective than ‘virtual’ alternatives, which means almost all domestic inspections will be handled by traditional site visits.

US FDA continues to see in-person inspections as more efficient and more effective than ‘virtual’ alternatives. And that means that almost all domestic inspections will be handled by traditional site visits.

Teva management sounded an optimistic note as the firm delivered its third-quarter results for 2023, adding a further $100m to the company’s full-year sales forecast and providing updates on a number of key aspects of the business.

Two executives of Israeli-based medtech companies say the Hamas-Israeli war is having an impact on their companies, with employees being called up as reservists and others needing accommodations. It also has galvanized companies to join forces to support health and humanitarian needs during the crisis.

Amid war in Israel, local generics industry giant Teva has indicated that it sees no “meaningful impact” on its business from the conflict, while highlighting that it is prioritizing the importance of its employees and patients.

Through an Israeli innovation lab, four big pharma companies are fostering AI-driven start-ups to help solve industry problems.

Check out what Ora Dar, from the Israel Innovation Authority, had to say about the country's plans to branch out globally in digital health.

ParamItBe develops formulations and delivery formats and provides analytics laboratory services to pharmaceutical, supplement and food companies. Its R&D capabilities will expedite TopGum's gummies development for another plant scheduled to begin operating by the end of 2023.

Kinoko’s unprocessed superfood is competitively priced to tofu and easily scalable. Market-ready products also allow for manufacturing sustainability, with minimal use of water and electricity, plus reduced emissions.

Moshe Shoham talks about the innovative technologies behind surgical robotics companies Microbot Medical, XACT Robotics, Tamar Robotics and ForSight Robotics, which were all spun out of his laboratory in Israel.    

Todos Medical, warned in 2021 about COVID-19 claims, could prompt a second warning about linking Tollovid  to the coronavirus with recent announcement of test results. Firm also has appointed VPs of marketing and of government affairs since FTC in April 2021 warned about claims on its website, its social media pages and in a store.

Following on from its initial 2019 alliance, Israel’s Kamada has added a further two biosimilar products to its local distribution agreement with Alvotech. The firm’s CEO discussed its planned foray into the biosimilar space as part of a letter to shareholders.

VMS firm Ambrosia-SupHerb partners with cannabis product developer Tikun-Olam to create Israel’s first cannabis and mushroom supplement line.

Ben & Jerry’s values may not square with parent Unilever when it comes to business in disputed West Bank territory, where the former’s ice cream will no longer be sold. CEO Alan Jope says only that Unilever remains committed to its business in Israel, where it has invested more than ILS 1bn over the last decade.