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Celgene Corporation announced that data from the phase III RELIEF™ clinical trial of OTEZLA® (apremilast) in patients with active Behçet’s Disease with oral ulcers were presented in a late-breaking oral presentation at the 2018 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting. The results showed statistically significant reductions in oral ulcers with apremilast 30 mg twice daily (BID) versus placebo through week 12. OTEZLA (apremilast) is Celgene’s oral selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4).

Kite, a Gilead Company announced it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with Pfizer, Inc. to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the investigational combination of Yescarta™ (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and Pfizer's utomilumab, a fully humanized 4-1BB agonist monoclonal antibody, in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma. A multi-center Phase 1/2 study sponsored by Kite is expected to begin in 2018. The results of this study will be used to evaluate options for further development of this combination, or similar combinations between Kite’s engineered T cell products and utomilumab.

Roche and Ignyta, Inc have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Roche to fully acquire Ignyta at a price of US$ 27.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. This corresponds to a total transaction value of US$ 1.7 billion on a fully diluted basis. This price represents a premium of 74% to Ignyta’s closing price on 21 December 2017 and a premium of 71% and 89% to Ignyta’s 30-day and 90-day volume weighted average share price on 21 December 2017, respectively. The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of Ignyta and Roche.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced the issuance of U.S. Patent Number 9,844,558 entitled “Methods of Reducing Risk of Preterm Birth.” This newly issued patent is directed to subcutaneous administration and dosing of Makena® (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) and is expected to expire on May 2, 2036. Makena is a treatment to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women who are pregnant with one baby and who spontaneously delivered one preterm baby in the past.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced the exclusive launch of generic Viread®1 (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) tablets 300 mg in the U.S.

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ESKATA™ (hydrogen peroxide) topical solution, 40% (w/w) for the treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses, or SKs. SKs are non-cancerous skin growths that affect more than 83 million American adults and can be an aesthetic skin concern. SKs tend to increase in size and number with age. The condition is more prevalent than acne, psoriasis and rosacea combined.

Novavax, Inc announced the Phase 3 trial of its RSV F protein recombinant nanoparticle vaccine (RSV F Vaccine) for infants via maternal immunization will continue. Novavax also provided an update on its nanoparticle influenza vaccine candidate with proprietary Matrix-M™ adjuvant (NanoFlu™).

MacroGenics, Inc a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, as well as autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, announced the presentation of clinical data from its ongoing Phase 1 study of flotetuzumab in an oral session at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Atlanta, Georgia. John E. Godwin, M.D., Program Leader, Hematologic Malignancies at Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Cancer Center in Portland, Oregon presented "Preliminary Results of a Phase 1 Study of Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Bispecific DART Protein, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome."

Myriad Genetics, Inc. a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, announced that data from the EMBRACA trial showed Myriad’s BRACAnalysis CDx®  test successfully identified patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who responded to Pfizer’s investigational PARP inhibitor, talazoparib. 

Mylan N.V.and Biocon Ltd.  announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mylan´s Ogivri^TM (trastuzumab­dkst), a biosimilar to Herceptin® (trastuzumab), co-developed with Biocon. OgivriTM has been approved for all indications included in the label of the reference product, Herceptin, including for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and metastatic stomach cancer (gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma).