The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Boehringer Ingelheim’s Gilotrif (afatinib) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours express specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations.
Roche has stopped a Phase 3 trial of aleglitazar for patients with Type 2 diabetes who are at risk of cardiovascular disease because of adverse events and a lack of efficacy. This follows a review by an independent data and safety monitoring board.
AstraZeneca Plc’s previously-announced plans to build its oncology portfolio has taken shape with the announcement of three projects: a review of technology to monitor tumour activity and work on therapies for prostate and pancreatic cancers.
Privately-held Immunocore Ltd of the UK has secured its second major licensing deal in less than a month, this time with GlaxoSmithKline Plc to discover bi-specific biological drugs against multipl
The privately-held Swiss biotechnology company OncoEthix SA has raised CHF 18 million ($19 million) from venture capitalists to progress its lead oncology compound into Phase 2 studies. The compound targets a class of bromodomain proteins.
Novartis said that top-line results from a Phase 3 study of its monoclonal antibody secukinumab for psoriasis, have demonstrated superiority in clearing skin compared with the standard of care, Enbrel (etanercept). The antibody targets interleukin-17A.
The European Commission has been overruled in a dispute over the authorisation of an orphan medicine, in a case that further clarifies the ‘well-established medical use’ criteria for approving new drugs for marketing in Europe.
What do age-related hearing loss and schizophrenia have in common? Not much, on the face of it. However there is growing evidence that the two disorders may have a link through the dysfunction of certain ion channels in the central nervous system. Ion channels are membrane proteins that help convert chemical or mechanical messages into electrical signals in the cell.
Cardio3 BioSciences SA of Belgium said that its previously announced European initial public offering of shares has raised €23 million from investors in Belgium, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the US.
Orexo AB of Sweden said that it has received US Food and Drug Administration approval for Zubsolv (buprenorphine/naloxone), a product to be used with counselling and psychosocial support to treat people suffering from opioid dependence.