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) […]
Neurological
J&J’s Janssen touts Ph3 data for antidepressant nasal spray
Johnson & Johnson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) Janssen revealed data today from two Phase III trials of its investigational esketamine nasal spray in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The Titusville, N.J.-based company said that if approved by the FDA, esketamine would represent one of the first new approaches designed to treat refractory major depressive disorder in the last 50 […]
In reversal, FDA accepts Alkermes’ depression drug for review
In an about-face, the FDA reportedly agreed to review a new drug application for Alkermes‘ (NSDQ:ALKS) depression drug just weeks after the agency said it would only do so if the company conducted additional trials. Alkermes’ once-daily oral medication is a fixed dose combination of buprenorphine and samidorphan, designed for patients with major depressive disorder […]
Study: PET imaging agent could help predict depression drug’s efficacy
Researchers have identified a positron emission tomography imaging agent that could identify the patients that are more likely to benefit from a drug designed to treat major depressive disorder, according to a study published this month in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The C-DASB tracer targets a protein, 5-HTT, found in the part of a person’s […]
FDA refuses to review application for Alkermes’ depression drug
Alkermes (NSDQ:ALKS) shares tumbled this morning after the company revealed that the FDA will not review its application for an investigational depression drug. The U.S. regulatory issued a refusal to file letter to Alkermes, writing that it can’t review the drug’s application based on “insufficient evidence of overall effectiveness for the proposed indication,” and that […]
Sunovion seeks FDA nod for sublingual film to treat Parkinson’s disease
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals submitted a new drug application to the FDA this week for its apomorphine sublingual film designed to treat motor fluctuations experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company is testing the film as a therapy for Parkinson’s patients experiencing “off” episodes – when symptoms that are otherwise controlled by medications resurface. As […]
Acorda seeks EU approval for inhaled Parkinson’s disease drug
Acorda Therapeutics (NSDQ:ACOR) submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency for its inhaled Parkinson’s disease therapy, Inbrija, according to the Ardsley, N.Y.-based company. The investigational drug is designed to treat people with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing “off” periods, or a re-emergence of symptoms. Acorda’s marketing application for Inbrija includes data from a […]
Intec Pharma partners for manufacture of ‘accordion pill’ for Parkinson’s disease
Intec Pharma (NSDQ:NTEC) plans to partner with LTS to manufacture the company’s lead product candidate – an oral pill for Parkinson’s disease formulated with Intec’s “Accordion Pill” drug delivery tech. According to the terms of the deal, LTS will manufacture the carbidopa/levodopa capsules using Intec’s production technology in LTS’ manufacturing facility in Germany. Intec is working […]
Acorda Therapeutics wins FDA NDA nod for Inbrija
Acorda Therapeutics (NSDQ:ACOR) said today that the FDA accepted the New Drug Application for its Inbrija investigational inhaled levodopa product designed for treating symptoms of OFF periods in patients with Parkinson’s disease who are taking carbidopa/levodopa regimens. The approval comes with a target date of October 5, 2018, the Ardsley, N.Y.-based company said. The NDA comes supported […]
Acorda posts Q4 revenue beat, but misses EPS estimates
Shares in Acorda Therapeutics (NSDQ:ACOR) fell today after the biotech company met sales expectations on Wall Street with its fourth-quarter results, but missed EPS estimates. The Ardsley, N.Y.-based company posted a net loss of -$171 million on sales of $188.4 million for the 3 months ended Dec.31, for sales growth of 34% compared with the same period […]