Angioplasty is not a new procedure – doctors have been widening obstructed arteries with balloons since the 1960s. But for years the medtech industry has been plagued with what Jeff Mirviss, president of Boston Scientific’s interventional peripheral biz, calls the procedure’s Achilles heel: Restenosis. For patients treated with bare balloons, half must have the procedure done again […]
United Therapeutics launches $250m share repurchase program
United Therapeutics (NSDQ:UTHR) said today that its board of directors approved the repurchase of up to $250 million of the biotech’s common stock. The share repurchase program is effective immediately and United said it will stay open until the end of 2017. The company can make purchases in the open market, accelerated share repurchases or in privately […]
Tandem misses on Q1 earnings, beats rev estimates
Shares in Tandem Diabetes (NSDQ:TNDM) fell today after the medical device maker missed earnings expectations on Wall Street with its 1st quarter results, but beat revenue estimates. The San Diego-based company posted losses of -$23.8 million, or -75¢ per share, on sales of $18.9 million for the 3 months ended March 31, for bottom-line loss of -13.9% […]
Novartis slapped with $49m fine over kickbacks
South Korea regulators said today that it fined Swiss drugmaker Novartis (NYSE:NVS) $48.8 million for offering doctors kickbacks in exchange for recommending the company’s drugs to patients. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also decided to suspend insurance coverage of 9 variations of 2 drugs, including the Alzheimer’s drug Exelon, for 6 months, according to Reuters. […]
Antidepressant could help get drugs across blood-brain barrier
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that pairing an antidepressant with neurological drugs can enhance drug delivery to the brain. The team’s research was published online in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. The team cautioned that more work needs to be done to determine if the discovery will hold up […]
Nordisk wins label update for weight loss drug-device combo
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) said today that the FDA approved an updated label for its Saxenda liraglutide weight loss medicine. The therapy’s new label will include data showing that half of patients who received Saxenda and lost at least 5% of their weight after 56 weeks maintained their weight loss for 3 years. The update is based […]
Midazolam nasal spray trial meets primary endpoint in patients with seizure clusters
Proximagen Ltd. said today that its pivotal Phase III trial of intranasal midazolam met its primary efficacy endpoint as a treatment for patients with seizure clusters. The Cambridge-based company said it plans to begin talks with the FDA for a New Drug Application in the 2nd half of this year based on the trial’s findings. […]
Acorda misses on Q1 earnings, slashes expense guidance after restructuring
Shares in Acorda Therapeutics (NSDQ:ACOR) fell today after the biopharmaceutical company missed expectations on Wall Street with its 1st quarter results. The Ardsley, N.Y.-based company posted a net loss of -$18.9 million, or -41¢ per share, on sales of $119.4 million for the 3 months ended March 31. In the same quarter last year, Acorda reported […]
Braeburn’s risperidone implant meets primary endpoint in schizophrenia trial
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals said yesterday that a 6-month study of its risperidone implant in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder met its primary endpoint. Risperidone, the most commonly-prescribed therapy for schizophrenia, depends on consistent administration, but patients with schizophrenia sometimes stop taking their medication when their symptoms improve. Long-acting, injectable formulations of risperidone are on the market, […]
SurModics misses on Q2 earnings, narrows outlook
Shares in SurModics (NSDQ:SRDX) fell today after the medical device maker missed earnings expectations on Wall Street with its 2nd quarter results and narrowed its full-year outlook. The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based company posted profits of $506,000, or 4¢ per share, on sales of $17.5 million for the 3 months ended March 31, for bottom-line loss of […]