Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said today that it enrolled the first patient in a study to assess the use of its SynchroMed II intrathecal drug delivery system as an alternative to oral opioids. The 100-patient Embrace TDD study is slated to follow patients who have weaned off all oral opioids, in the hopes of positioning the SynchroMed II […]
Proteus debuts digital cancer drug
Proteus Digital Health said today that the first cancer patients were treated using its digital oncology therapy, which combines oral chemotherapy with an ingestible sensor. Patients with stage 3 and 4 colorectal cancer at the University of Minnesota Health and Fairview Health Services were treated with digital capecitabine. The Redwood City, Calif.-based company plans to […]
QT Vascular expands pivotal trial of Chocolate Touch DCB
QT Vascular said today that the FDA approved the company’s request to expand an on-going pivotal study of its Chocolate Touch drug-coated balloon to include the use of atherectomy for lesion preparation. The U.S. regulatory agency also approved the addition of subgroup analysis related to the use of atherectomy. The pivotal study of QT Vascular’s […]
Rep. Cummings talks drug pricing with HHS chief
Days after unveiling an investigation into the drug pricing practices of 12 pharmaceutical companies, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) met with the Secretary of Health & Human Services, Alex Azar, to discuss ways they can work together to lower drug prices. Although the two did not discuss specific legislation, Cummings told reporters […]
Researchers question use of antibiotic shunts in hydrocephalus patients
Led by neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Warf, a team of researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital published a study this month questioning the benefits of using shunts impregnated with antibiotics to treat hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus, which affects roughly 400,000 children each year, is characterized by fluid accumulation in the brain. Surgeons use shunts to drain the patient’s excess […]
What’s ahead for the drug delivery market in 2019?
Cindy Reiss-Clark, VP & GM of West‘s (NYSE:WST) global biologics business, comments on the drug delivery trends that stood out from 2018 and what she’s keeping an eye on in the coming year. What were the trends that drove the biopharma and drug delivery markets in 2018? Many of 2018’s key trends revolved around increasing […]
Pharma stocks fall as Rep. Cummings launches drug pricing investigation
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) launched an investigation today into the drug pricing practices of 12 pharmaceutical companies. A number of companies named in the investigation saw their stock prices fall, including Amgen (NSDQ:AMGN), AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO). A hearing is reportedly set for Jan. 29 and will […]
Amneal wins FDA nod for generic rivastigmine transdermal patch
Amneal Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:AMRX) said today that it won FDA approval for a generic rivastigmine transdermal patch. The drug, which is sold under the brand name Exelon, is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is commonly used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The Exelon patch reeled in roughly $225 million in U.S. sales […]
Valeritas’ V-Go nabs preferred status on OptumRx formularies
Valeritas (NSDQ:VLRX) said today that its wearable insulin delivery device, V-Go, won preferred status on the OptumRx formulary. The Bridgewater, N.J.-based company’s device is designed for people with Type 2 diabetes. The V-Go product is worn like a patch and delivers a preset basal rate of insulin over the course of 24 hours. The device can […]
Ocular Therapeutix seeks second indication for drug-delivery eye insert
Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) said yesterday that it submitted a supplement NDA to the FDA for its dexamethasone ocular insert, Dextenza. The Bedford, Mass.-based company requested that the U.S. regulatory agency expand the current indication for Dextenza to include the treatment of ocular inflammation following eye surgery. Dextenza is designed to deliver drugs for up to 30 […]
