The FDA has approved the triple inhaler developed by GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Innoviva (NSDQ:INVA) to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the companies reported today. The Trelega Ellipta dry powder inhaler uses fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium and vilanterol to help adults with COPD manage the condition. It is the first once-daily product approved in the U.S. that combines three active molecules […]
GlaxoSmithKline plc
GSK’s triple-med COPD inhaler wins recommendation for approval in EU
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Innoviva (NSDQ:INVA) said today that a European Medicines Agency panel recommended marketing authorization for the Trelegy Ellipta triple-combination inhaler for adults with COPD. The device uses fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium and vilanterol to help adults with COPD who are not adequately treated by a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist. It’s also […]
Novartis CEO departs, leaving corner office to Harvard doc
Novartis‘ (NYSE:NVS) chief executive Joseph Jimenez is slated to leave his post next February, the drugmaker reported over the weekend. The CEO’s surprise departure leaves the corner office to Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, who currently serves as the company’s CMO and global head of drug development. The move comes just days after Novartis won FDA approval for […]
Propeller Health, GSK expand collaboration for connected inhaler
Propeller Health and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) said today that the two companies are planning to commercialize GSK’s Ellipta inhaler with Propeller’s clip-on medication sensor and software platform. The companies first announced their partnership in 2015 and in November last year the pair won 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market the Propeller plaftform with the Ellipta dry […]
New GSK chief taps WalMart exec, refocuses R&D efforts
GlaxoSmithKline‘s (NYSE:GSK) has reportedly named former WalMart executive Karenann Terrell as chief digital and technology officer, in a move to integrate digital technology across its pharmaceutical business. This is among the many choices made by newly appointed chief executive Emma Walmsley to boost GSK’s ability to compete with rival pharma companies. GSK also recently nabbed […]
New GSK chief executive to refocus pipeline
GlaxoSmithKline‘s (NYSE:GSK) new chief executive, Emma Walmsley, signaled in April that she plans to cut programs in the company’s pharmaceutical pipeline that aren’t generating enough value, including older antibiotics. “We’ll need to be switching off some areas,” Walmsley said, according to Reuters. She is slated to detail her plans this week when she presents second quarter […]
GSK inks deal for AI-driven drug discovery
Exscientia inked a drug discovery collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) that could bring the Scotland-based company up to $37.5 million. As a part of the deal, Exscientia plans to use its artificial-intelligence platform to discover small molecules for up to 10 disease-related targets, as chosen by GSK. GSK is slated to pay Exscientia in preclinical candidate milestone […]
Braeburn names former Teva exec as new president, CEO | Personnel Moves – June 14, 2017
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals said last week that it named Michael Derkacz as president and CEO of the buprenorphine implant-maker. Most recently, Derkacz worked as senior VP and head of global central nervous system and pain therapeutic areas for Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA). Behshad Sheldon, who helped to found Braeburn in 2012, is slated to step down from Braeburn […]
Amid drug-pricing criticism, industry trade group ousts members
The pharmaceutical industry’s trade group ousted 22 companies earlier this week after it revised membership rules. The move comes as lawmakers in Washington have pressed the pharma industry about U.S. drug prices. The updated membership rules for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) group mandates that members spend at least $200 million each year […]
GSK dodges bullet after another generic Advair competitor is denied
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) will not likely face generic competition to its lung drug Advair in the US this year. Yesterday, the FDA denied the application for a 2nd generic competitor. Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LON:HIK) disclosed today that the FDA decided not to approve its version of the inhaled asthma treatment, due to “major” problems with the application. This comes […]