RenovoRx said today that it closed a $7 million tranche in a $10 million round to fund the development of its drug-device combination product designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The company’s round was led by Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) and joined by btov Partners, Astia Angels, Golden Seeds […]
Tribe taking steps to ‘ramp up’ drug patent business
The Native American tribe wrapped up in litigation with generic pharmaceutical companies is trying to prove that its arrangement with Allergan (NYSE:AGN) reflects a legitimate move to boost its economy, according to court documents. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York found itself it the middle of a controversial deal this year after it agreed […]
Varian stands on $1.28B offer for Sirtex
Varian Medical (NYSE:VAR) said today that it stands behind its initial $1.28 billion bid to acquire Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) in the wake of a $1.41 billion counter offer from China’s CDH Investments. The unsolicited bid from CDH Investments came in at a 20% premium on Varian’s A$28-per-share offer, prompting Sirtex to reconsider a merger that already […]
MIT researchers devise single-injection delivery method for polio vaccine
Although most of the world is protected from the polio virus thanks to a vaccine developed decades ago, some countries remain vulnerable to the disease thanks to challenges posed by a vaccine that requires repeat dosing. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology want to change that with a nanoparticle vaccine that can deliver multiple […]
GSK’s Arnuity Ellipta asthma therapy wins FDA nod for use in kids as young as 5 years old
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) won FDA approval for the use of its Arnuity Ellipta inhaler as a once-daily therapy for the maintenance treatment of asthma in children as young as five years old. The pharmaceutical company touted its regulatory win, pointing out that the fluticasone furoate treatment is one of the only once-daily asthma therapies cleared in the […]
Valeritas inks distro deal for V-Go device in Austria, Germany
Valeritas (NSDQ:VLRX) said today that it signed an exclusive distribution deal with Med Trust to commercialize its V-Go insulin delivery device in Austria and Germany. According to the terms of the agreement, Valeritas will be responsible for product development, regulatory approval, quality management and manufacturing. Med Trust will take over the sales, marketing and distribution activities […]
GlaxoSmithKline touts long-term study of biologic treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) touted new data today from a long-term study of its biologic treatment for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. One-third of patients treated with mepolizumab experienced no exacerbations, GSK reported – down from an average of two exacerbations each year at the start of the study. The 347-patient Columba trial gave participants 100-mg of mepolizumab […]
Here’s how Sanofi separates true innovation from all the hype in digital health
Recognizing that digital technology is here to stay in the business of healthcare, pharmaceutical companies have not shied away from collaborating with the folks in Silicon Valley. Sanofi (NYSE:SNY), for instance, has dove in feet first, striking deals with major tech players like Verily. But weeding out true disruptions from all the noise isn’t easy. “There’s […]
Valeritas touts new data for insulin delivery device
Valeritas (NSDQ:VLRX) touted data today from two new studies of its V-Go wearable insulin delivery device in patients with Type II diabetes. In one three-month evaluation of 60 people with Type II diabetes, researchers assessed if using V-Go could improve glycemic control in patients who were uncontrolled on prior treatment regimens. “Poor glycemic control (A1C above […]
With groundbreaking approval, Amgen launches new class of medicine for migraine patients
Amgen (NSDQ:AMGN) won FDA approval this week for its once-monthly Aimovig injection designed to prevent the onset of migraines in adults. The drug is the first of its kind – a molecule that blocks the receptor for a protein that is linked to migraine pain, the calcitronin gene-related peptide. Other major pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) […]
