Last week was eventful for the biotech sector with highlights including a couple of FDA approvals (Xtandi’s label expansion and Contrave) and a positive FDA panel outcome (Natpara). However, the biggest gainer was Avanir Pharmaceuticals ( AVNR ), which came out with positive phase II data for the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s…
NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP) received encouraging news when the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the FDA recommended the approval of the company’s hormone replacement therapy Natpara (rhPTH [1-84]). NPS Pharma’s candidate was recommended for long-term use to treat patients suffering from hypoparathyroidism, a rare disease caused by the deficiency/absence of parathyroid hormone, by…
Shares of Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) gained a massive 85.31% to close the trading session on Sep 15 at $12.49. The jump came on the back of encouraging data from a phase II study (n=220) on Avanir‘s AVP-923, which evaluated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the candidate for treating agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Data…
AbbVie (ABBV) was in the news last week thanks to its agreements with Infinity Pharmaceuticals (INFI) and Calico. Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (KERX) was also in the headlines – the company’s shares declined despite receiving FDA approval for its oral, ferric iron-based compound. Gilead (GILD) was in the news as well, once again due to its hepatitis…
Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ (ALXN) sole marketed product is Soliris (eculizumab). Soliris is available for the treatment of two rare genetic disorders – paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. As the company is entirely dependent on Soliris for growth, it should look to avoid any setback related to the product. However, the FDA seems to…
Pipeline updates are highly awaited events in the pharma/biotech sector as they play an important role in deciding whether or not to invest in a particular company. These updates provide information on experimental drugs and at times give an insight into the commercial potential of the candidate once it is successfully developed and commercialized. Earlier…
