Novartis’ general counsel Felix Ehrat is to step down following revelations that the company paid $1.2 million to Donald Trump’s personal lawyer in return for insights into the president’s health policy ideas. Ehrat said that he is stepping down to…
Novartis completes $8.7bn acquisition of AveXis
Novartis has completed its $8.7bn acquisition of US-based clinical stage gene therapy company AveXis via the consummation of a merger of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Novartis AM Merger with and into AveXis. In the merger, each share of AveXis common…
China removes import duties on 28 medicines; India to get boost
China on Thursday said it has removed import duties on as many as 28 medicines, including all cancer drugs, from May 1, a move which would help India to export these pharmaceuticals to the neighbouring country. “China has exempted import…
Wearable Medical Devices Global Market to Reach $19.5B by 2021
The global market for wearable medical devices is expected to nearly $19.5 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.8% for 2016-2021, according to a new report from Report Linker. The report reveals that the U.S. market for wearable medical…
Novartis app could revolutionise ophthalmic clinical trials
Patients will be able to participate in clinical ophthalmology trials from home thanks to a groundbreaking digital app developed by Novartis. The FocalView app, which will enable patients with mobility issues to take part in clinical trials, means researchers can…
Shire considers Takeda’s revised £46bn takeover offer
Shire’s board said that it is willing to recommend Takeda Pharmaceutical’s revised acquisition offer of £46bn to its shareholders. As per the revised proposal, Takeda offers to pay nearly £49 per each share of Shire in the form of £21.75…
Glenmark closes Indian trial site over fraud
As regulatory authorities in India move to tighten up oversight of the country’s fast-growing clinical research sector, local company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has announced the closure of a clinical trial site in Jamnagar, Gujarat state, citing fraudulent activities. Glenmark started using…
Pfizer biosimilar of Roche’s cancer drug fails to get FDA approval
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined to approve Pfizer’s proposed biosimilar of Roche’s breast cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) and asked for more technical information. Pfizer said that the additional requested information asked in the Complete Response Letter…
Leading CROs Form New Industry Standards Group to Improve Collaboration with Sponsors
NEW YORK — March 27, 2018 — Six leading contract research organizations (CROs) and Veeva Systems(NYSE:VEEV) today introduced Align Clinical CRO, a new industry standards group dedicated to making it easier for sponsors and CROs to work together during clinical trials. Founding members, with input…
Drug-Development Challenges for Small Biopharmaceutical Companies
Small biopharmaceutical companies are becoming increasingly important as drivers of innovation in drug development. It has recently been estimated that the majority of drugs currently in development are in the hands of small biopharmaceutical companies.1 Such companies range in size…
