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March 29, 2019

Welcome to FierceLifeSci Weekly Digest, your roundup of the biggest and most popular stories from each of our publications.

 

The biopharma industry is expecting at least seven blockbuster launches this year, according to Clarivate's annual “Drugs to Watch” list for 2019. And it’s good timing too—many are facing patent cliffs, with biosimilars waiting in the wings. This past week, in fact, saw approvals for two potentials: Novartis’ Mayzent, née siponimod, received an FDA greenlight to become the first oral drug for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, while AbbVie’s Skyrizi hopes to shoulder some of Humira’s mantle. Formerly risankizumab, the IL-23 inhibitor picked up its first approval in Japan, with decisions in Europe and the U.S. expected in the coming months.

Featured Story

Alcon will officially leave Novartis on April 9 after an 8-year run. What's next?

Exactly eight years into its full ownership of Alcon, Novartis will officially say goodbye to the eye care business on April 9. The spinoff follows Novartis' recent sale of its stake in a GlaxoSmithKline consumer joint venture and some Sandoz generics.

Top Stories Of The Week

1 day after aducanumab disaster, Eisai kick-starts backup Alzheimer’s drug trial

Albert Einstein is often attributed as saying: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” He likely didn’t actually say this, but regardless of its origins, this witticism comes sharply into focus when you read Eisai’s press release about starting new trials for BAN2401.

From AbbVie's upadacitinib to new gene therapies: Pharma's 2019 blockbuster launches, ranked

Analysts with Cortellis expect seven blockbuster drug launches in markets across the world this year. AbbVie's upadacitinib leads the pack with expected 2023 sales of $2.2 billion.

Editor's Choice—AbbVie's immunology blockbuster-to-be Skyrizi picks up first global approval

As Humira competition heats up in Europe—and soon enough in the U.S.—AbbVie picked up an approval in Japan for IL-23 inhibitor Skyrizi. Analysts believe it can pull in $1.74 billion by 2023.

Can Novartis MS blockbuster-to-be break Mayzent break doctors’ ‘circle of denial’?

Novartis officially has approval for Mayzent to treat patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The next challenge? Getting doctors to diagnose it.

Celgene refiles ozanimod with FDA 1 year after regulatory snafu

Celgene has refiled for FDA approval of ozanimod in multiple sclerosis. The resubmission comes one year after Celgene was rocked by a refusal-to-file notice from the FDA. 

J&J’s antihistamine-eluting contact lenses clear phase 3 allergy studies

Two phase 3 studies of Johnson & Johnson’s antihistamine contact lens showed it reduced feelings of itchy eyes after 15 minutes and for as long as 12 hours.

IBM tech explains why some cancer cells die in response to treatment and others don’t

Several cancer drugs work by promoting “apoptosis,” or programmed cell death. Researchers at Mount Sinai, working with IBM, found a link between responses to those treatments and mitochondria, the elements of cells that produce energy.

Bluebird opens manufacturing facility as it moves gene therapies forward

In an indication of where the growth in the pharma industry is developing, Bluebird Bio is the latest to complete a viral vector manufacturing facility to produce gene and cell therapies.

Saama closes $40M funding round for its clinical trial AI platform

California data analytics company Saama Technologies has raised $40 million as it looks to bolster its artificial technology platform to “disrupt” clinical trials.

Resources

[Whitepaper] Systolic Heart Failure: Real-World Study Using Electronic Health Records

Real-World case study by Veradigm suggests that new medications specifically approved for the treatment of systolic heart failure may be underutilized despite being important advances in patient care.

[Whitepaper] Better Market Intelligence With Smart Search

From new regulations to drug pricing and the latest M&A deals, learn how AI is making it easier for competitive intelligence to uncover the insights they need to stay ahead of the curve.

[Whitepaper] The Right Partner Can Improve Flexibility and Mitigate Risks from Forecast Inaccuracy in Biomanufacturing

The Right Partner Can Improve Flexibility and Mitigate Risks from Forecast Inaccuracy in Biomanufacturing.

[Whitepaper] How changes in drug substance processes can affect formulation

Download this whitepaper to learn more.

[Research] Maximize Pharma Marketing ROI with Digital HCP Engagement

Which HCP Touchpoints and channels are yielding the best results in today’s digital world?

[eBook] 2018 Weekly Compendium

The Biopharma industry is moving at lightning speed and it can be a challenge to keep pace. Here at Biotech Primer we spend hours each week researching, writing, and editing original content for the Biotech Primer WEEKLY with one goal in mind: to help everyone better understand the latest science and technology driving today’s healthcare industry.