Medivir AB has announced plans to discontinue development of one type of hepatitis C virus drug in order to concentrate exclusively on nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitors. It will discontinue work on NS5A replication complex inhibitors.
SkyePharma Plc has started to achieve commercial momentum from the roll-out of its asthma treatment flutiform – illustrated by a 58% increase in sales for the first half of 2013. The revenue increase was primarily due to flutiform sales.
Eli Lilly and Company said that a Phase 3 study of its-antibody therapy, necitumumab, has met its primary endpoint of overall survival in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Necitumumab is designed to block the ligand binding site of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for HIV-1 infection developed by ViiV Healthcare. Tivicay (dolutegravir) is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor to be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
Researchers from Ireland have reported that the probiotic B. infantis 35624 relieved symptoms in three inflammatory disorders underscoring the role that the gut microbiota plays in human health. The study appears in the July/August issue of Gut Microbes.
Addex Therapeutics Ltd has raised gross proceeds of CHF 3.2 million ($3.5 million) in a private placement of shares enabling it continue operations beyond its next important clinical event – the reporting of data from a study in anxious depression.
Novo Nordisk A/S said it expects to start a cardiovascular outcomes trial for the diabetes drug Tresiba (insulin degludec) late this year in order to satisfy requirements by the US Food and Drug Administration which turned down the drug in February.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has launched a new $50 million venture capital fund in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US that will invest in companies working in the field of bioelectronic medicine. The term ‘bioelectronic medicine’ refers to non-pharmaceutical interventions that seek to treat disease by changing or directing electrical signals in the body.
H. Lundbeck A/S has raised its guidance for revenue and earnings this year on the back of strong growth of new products in the first half year. A one-off fine from the European Commission however contributed to a loss for the second quarter.
A Phase 3 study of Afinitor (everolimus) in patients with metastatic liver cancer did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival, Novartis announced on 7 August. The Swiss multinational said it won’t seek to register the drug for this indication.