Pfizer under fire for alleged vaccine ‘profiteering’

Today's Big News

Dec 14, 2022

AbbVie, Ipsen exit R&D deals to cap off lousy year for Exicure


Senators blast Pfizer's proposed COVID vaccine price hike as 'profiteering'


The COVID-19 vaccine prevented more than 18 million hospitalizations and 3 million deaths


Activ Surgical taps another Olympus alum as CEO, replacing inaugural leader Usen


Sanofi takes inflammatory disease protein degrader forward as Kymera shares glimpse of efficacy 

 

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AbbVie, Ipsen exit R&D deals to cap off lousy year for Exicure

The unraveling of Exicure continues apace. Weeks after the biotech raised the specter of bankruptcy, AbbVie and Ipsen have terminated their hair loss disorder and rare neurodegenerative disease collaborations with the company.
 

Top Stories

Senators blast Pfizer's proposed COVID vaccine price hike as 'profiteering'

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Vermont senator-elect Peter Welch blasted Pfizer’s purported Comirnaty pricing scheme—which could see the company charge between $110 and $130 per vaccine dose on the private market—as “pure and deadly greed.”

Commonwealth Fund: COVID-19 vaccine prevented more than 18M hospitalizations, 3M deaths

A new analysis found over the past two years the COVID-19 vaccine has prevented more than 18 million additional hospitalizations and 3 million additional deaths.

Activ Surgical taps another Olympus alum as CEO, replacing inaugural leader Usen

Nearly four years after appointing its first CEO, Activ Surgical has found a new leader to head up the surgical software startup.

Sanofi takes inflammatory disease protein degrader forward as Kymera shares glimpse of efficacy

Kymera Therapeutics has generated the first early clinical evidence that its targeted protein degradation technology works in immune-inflammatory diseases. In a small phase 1 trial, Kymera linked the IRAK4 candidate to improvements in symptoms, encouraging its partner Sanofi to take the program forward.

FDA advisers nix Cytokinetics' heart failure med, rejecting argument for subgroup use

FDA advisers said the risks of Cytokinetics' heart failure med outweigh the benefits, pouring cold water on the drug's approval prospects as it awaits a definitive decision from the agency. The company attempted to elevate data showing that the med was particularly useful in the sickest patients.

In states with abortion bans, maternal and infant death rates are significantly higher, study finds

Maternal and infant death rates already were significantly higher in states with abortion bans or restrictions, and women had less access to pregnancy care, according to a new analysis released today.

Court swats down Vanda's patent suit against Teva and Apotex, clearing the way for Hetlioz generics

A federal court in Delaware has not only rejected Vanda’s claim of patent infringement against generic drugmakers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Apotex, it has ruled that four of Vanda’s patent claims are invalid. With generic competition looming, the prospects for Washington, D.C.-based Vanda are dim.

Axonics nabs Canadian nod for 20-year incontinence implant requiring fewer recharges

Hot on the heels of the U.S. launch of its recharge-free neurostimulation implant to treat incontinence, Axonics is bringing yet another of its sacral neuromodulation devices to our neighbors to the north.

Bright Health at risk of being removed from NYSE

Bright Health's financial woes continue, and the company is now at risk of being pulled from the New York Stock Exchange.

Seeing double, digital therapeutic maker BehaVR absorbs OxfordVR alongside $13M VC round

With the goal of building a unified virtual reality platform to aid in treatments for mental and behavioral health, BehaVR and OxfordVR have joined forces—with a transatlantic transaction that’s raised an additional $13 million to boot.

Eli Lilly partners with generics maker Eva to boost insulin access in Africa

In a licensing agreement with generics drugmaker Eva Pharma of Egypt, Eli Lilly will deliver active pharmaceutical ingredient at a reduced cost for its human and analogue insulin. Lilly also will provide a “pro-bono transfer” of the technology needed to formulate, fill and finish vials and cartridges. The companies plan to provide insulin for 1 million annually by 2030.
 
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