Industry News

Pierre Fabre Laboratories the 2nd largest private French pharmaceutical group announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the review of the Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) for the use of the combination of binimetinib 45 mg twice daily and encorafenib 450 mg once daily (COMBO450) for the treatment of patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The submissions are supported by data from the pivotal Phase 3 COLUMBUS study, which showed that patients who received the combination of binimetinib and encorafenib had a significantly longer progression free survival (PFS) compared to patients receiving vemurafenib.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. presented findings from EMANATE (Eliquis evaluated in acute cardioversion coMpared to usuAl treatmeNts for AnTicoagulation in subjEcts with NVAF), a Phase 4 clinical trial, during a late-breaking hot line presentation at the ESC Congress 2017, organized by the European Society of Cardiology, in Barcelona, Spain. This descriptive, randomized, open-label trial explored the safety and efficacy of apixaban 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg lower dose when two of the following were present: age ≥80 years, weight ≤60 kg, or serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL (133μmol/L)) vs. standard of care (parenteral heparin and/or vitamin K antagonist). The outcomes measured in this study were the occurrence of acute stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding and all-cause death in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients undergoing cardioversion. This is an investigational use for Eliquis. Eliquis is not FDA-approved for the reduction of stroke in NVAF patients undergoing cardioversion (please see indications and important safety information for Eliquis later in the press release).

AVEO Oncology announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved FOTIVDA® (tivozanib) for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the European Union plus Norway and Iceland. Tivozanib is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC and for adult patients who are vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and mTOR pathway inhibitor-naïve following disease progression after one prior treatment with cytokine therapy for advanced RCC.i EUSA Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on oncology and oncology supportive care, is the European licensee for tivozanib. Tivozanib is an oral, once-daily, potent and highly-selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI).

Boehringer Ingelheim and pharmaceutical company Pharmaxis announce that Boehringer Ingelheim has initiated a European and North American Phase IIa trial in NASH with BI 1467335 (formerly known as PXS-4728A), acquired from Pharmaxis in May 2015. The compound is an oral inhibitor of amine oxidase, copper containing 3 (AOC3)1, and works by blocking leucocyte adhesion and tissue infiltration in inflammatory processes underlying NASH.

Zealand Pharma A/S ("Zealand") reports that Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the initiation of two Phase 1 trials, the first with a glucagon/GLP-1 agonist that has the potential for once-weekly administration for the treatment of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes and the second with a novel differentiated long-acting amylin analog for the treatment of obesity and/or diabetes.

Zydus Cadila has received the final approval from the USFDA to market Candesartan Cilexetil Tablets USP and Ziprasidone Hydrochloride Capsules

Organovo Holdings, Inc announced it has awarded the 2017 ExVive 3D Tissue Application Award to researchers at Amgen, Inc and Medikine, Inc.  The program is designed to explore new applications using Organovo’s ExVive Liver and Kidney Tissues in collaboration with biopharmaceutical partners.  The Company had many applicants for its awards, with the winners submitting the two most creative and novel proposals with the aim of bridging preclinical and clinical research.  The projects will be performed by Organovo and include comprehensive studies and data analysis.

Licorice roots have a diverse and flavorful history, having been used in ancient Egyptian times as a tea and in traditional Chinese medicines, all the way to a flavoring agent and as an ingredient in some licorice candies. Some women now take licorice extracts as supplements to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. But scientists caution that the substance could pose a health risk by interacting with medications.

The settlement resolves claims relating to the classification of EpiPen® Auto-Injector and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector for purposes of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. The question in the underlying matter was whether the EpiPen products were properly classified with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") as a non-innovator drug under the applicable definition in the Medicaid Rebate statute and subject to the formula that is used to calculate rebates to Medicaid for such drugs. EpiPen Auto-Injector has been classified with CMS as a non-innovator drug since before Mylan acquired the product in 2007 based on longstanding written guidance from the federal government.

Sanofi announced that it filed a patent infringement suit against Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.  in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. In its suit Sanofi alleges infringement of two patents.