Industry News

- Read more about FDA approves Portrazza to treat advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Portrazza (necitumumab) in combination with two forms of chemotherapy to treat patients with advanced (metastatic) squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received medication specifically for treating their advanced lung cancer. Portrazza is marketed by Eli Lilly and Company, based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Read more about FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Fluad, the first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant. Fluad, a trivalent vaccine produced from three influenza virus strains (two subtype A and one type B), is approved for the prevention of seasonal influenza in people 65 years of age and older.
- Read more about Elocta, a new drug co-marketed by Sobi and Biogen, has been approved in the European Union for treatment of Haemophilia A
The injectable drug has been hailed as the first meaningful advance in treating haemophilia A in 20 years, and looks set to be a big earner for the partners. Elocta – a recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc) – is already launched in the US, Canada and Australia under the Eloctate trade name, and is forecast to reach peak sales of $1.5 billion thanks to patient-friendly dosing that increases the time between injections.
27 November 2015

Daiichi Sankyo, Japan Vaccine & Sanofi to introduce Squarekids subcutaneous injection syringe, a 4-tetravalent combination vaccine

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Japan Vaccine Co., Ltd. and Sanofi K.K. announced that they will launch "Squarekids subcutaneous injection syringe", a 4-tetravalent combination vaccine (DPT-IPV) for the prevention of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and poliomyelitis (polio) on December 9, 2015.
- Read more about Comet releases 500 bottles of Alcohol every second
Hic! Comet Lovejoy is living up to its name by releasing large amounts of alcohol - as much as 500 bottles of wine every second - into space, scientists have found. The discovery marks the first time ethyl alcohol, the same type in alcoholic beverages, has been observed in a comet, researchers said.
- Read more about Merck announces increased quarterly Dividend
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the Board of Directors has increased the company’s quarterly dividend to $0.46 per outstanding share of the company’s common stock, up $0.01 from $0.45 per outstanding share paid last quarter. Payment will be made on Jan. 8, 2016, to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 15, 2015.
- Read more about FDA approves vaccine for use after known or suspected anthrax exposure
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new indication for BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) to prevent disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax disease. The vaccine’s new use is approved for people 18 through 65 years of age in conjunction with recommended antibiotic treatment. BioThrax was initially approved by the FDA in 1970 for the prevention of anthrax disease in persons at high risk of exposure.
- Read more about European Commission Approves Amgen's BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) for the Treatment of Adults with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Relapsed or Refractory B-precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Amgen announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorization for BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) for the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Read more about AstraZeneca enters into agreement with Perrigo for rights to Entocort® in the US
AstraZeneca announced that it has entered into an agreement with Perrigo Company plc for the divestment of US rights to Entocort® (budesonide), a gastroenterology medicine for patients with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease, an area of medicine outside AstraZeneca’s strategic focus.
- Read more about Novartis' Cosentyx receives European nod to treat ankylosing spondylitis & psoriatic arthritis
The European Commission (EC) has approved Novartis' Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of people living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). For AS, this is the first new treatment advance in 16 years since the development of the current standard of care, anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy.