The global pharmaceutical industry held up well during the pandemic, with 10 of the largest businesses only seeing a roughly –3% drop in revenue in 2020. Eight of the 10 even came out ahead. That’s one of the big takeaways from our sister publication Drug Discovery & Development’s inaugural Pharma 50, a compilation of data […]
Merck
Merck comes up short on Q1 forecast
Merck (NYSE:MRK) shares took a hit before hours today on first-quarter results that missed the consensus forecast. The Kenilworth, N.J.-based company posted profits of $3.2 billion, or $1.25 per share, on sales of $12.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2021, for a -1.2% bottom-line slide on revenues that remained almost identical year-over-year. […]
Merck moving to Phase 2 study of drug-eluting implant to prevent HIV infection
Merck (NYSE:MRK) today announced positive results from a Phase 1 study of its subdermal drug-eluting implant for preventing HIV-1 infection. The investigational implant has the potential for extended administration of islatravir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-1 infection, according to a news release. Islatravir is an investigational nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) being valuated […]
HHS gives Vaxxas $22M to support vaccine patch tech
Vaxxas announced today that it has received a $22 million award from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at U.S. HHS to support a clinical study involving the company’s vaccine-delivery patch. The money will mostly pay for a Phase 1 clinical study in which Vaxxas’ high-density micro-array patch (HD-MAP) delivering pandemic influenza vaccine […]
Could Vaxxas’ tiny patches enable a better COVID-19 vaccine?
Tiny vaccine delivery patches could solve logistical challenges, but they face manufacturing hurdles. Here’s how Vaxxas is trying to overcome them. Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Vaxxas announced earlier this year that the pharmaceutical giant was using Vaxxas’ High Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) platform as a delivery platform for a vaccine candidate. Vaxxas did not disclose what […]
Merck eyes tiny patches as a vaccine delivery method
Merck has exercised its option to use Vaxxas‘ High Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) platform as a delivery platform for a vaccine candidate, the companies announced today. The companies did not disclose what the vaccine candidate is supposed to treat. But Merck this month announced two COVID-19 vaccine development efforts: a collaboration with IAVI and plans […]
Prasco launches generic NuvaRing
Prasco this week said it launched its authorized generic NuvaRing. The generic etonogestrel/ethinyl vaginal ring is a small, flexible vaginal ring that is used by women as a form of birth control. The NuvaRing releases a continuous low dose of hormones for three weeks at a time. “We are proud to launch the authorized generic […]
OncoSec shares fall on preliminary data from skin cancer trial
Shares in OncoSec Medical (NSDQ:ONCS) fell nearly -60% this morning after the company revealed preliminary data from its Phase IIb trial of intratumoral delivery of Tavo in people with unresectable, advanced melanoma. OncoSec’s lead product, Tavo, uses electroporation to deliver IL-12 directly into a patient’s tumor, triggering an immune response. As of Sept. 1, 21 people […]
FDA warns of flesh-eating genital infection linked to diabetes drug
The FDA this week warned of serious flesh-eating bacterial infections, or necrotizing fasciitis, reported by patients taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors intended for treating type 2 diabetes. The federal watchdog said that between March 2013 and May 2018, 12 cases of Fournier’s gangrene, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin […]
GlucoMe, Merck ink Vietnamese diabetes study deal
GlucoMe said last week it inked a pilot collaboration deal with Merck (NYSE:MRK) looking to evaluate GlucoMe’s digital diabetes platform at several hospitals in Vietnam. Israel-based GlucoMe said that the project was scheduled to begin this month, and that it will compare GlucoMe’s digital diabetes care system against the current standard of care in the country. The […]
