Industry news

The Evolving War on Drug Prices

Michael J. Kuchenreuther / BioPharm International

Over the past few years, the war on drug prices has intensified and been marked by a series of signal events—for example, oncologists publically refusing to allow a pricey new therapy such as Sanofi’s Zaltrap on their formulary, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) (e.g., Express Scripts) and governments (e.g., the United Kingdom’s National Health System) refusing to cover breakthrough therapies such as Gilead’s Sovaldi. Moving forward, the pricing pressures manufacturers face from payers will likely only intensify, whether they be government or private, domestic or foreign.

Big biopharma execs really just want to talk about biotech deals

John Carroll / FierceBiotech

It’s "Let’s Make a Deal" time in biotech. For a long lineup of CEOs in the industry, this past week has marked a great time to flag their avid interest in crunching the numbers on prospective acquisitions. For several, it’s an effective distraction from some disappointing Q1 reports.

Report Shows Increase in Capacity in Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing in the UK

BioPharm International

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult released a review of their third annual survey of GMP cell and gene therapy facilities in the United Kingdom, the company said in a May 5, 2016 press release. The review summarizes the capability and capacity of all cell- and gene-therapy manufacturing facilities in the UK that hold an MHRA-license. The survey, initiated in 2013, has continued annually following a recommendation by the UK government House of Lords 2013-14 Regenerative Medicine report. 

The top sub-$250M VC funds

PitchBook Blog

The venture industry has been an interesting place to operate over the past year or so. Throughout 2015, we saw the proliferation of $1 billion+ round valuations, with more than 100 companies “earning” the title of unicorn. Thankfully that craziness has died down, but in its place a new theme seems to have emerged: mega-funds.

Californian biotechs sign neoantigen cancer vaccine pact

Ben Adams / FierceBiotech

Two West Coast cancer immunotherapy biotechs, Immune Design ($IMDZ) and upstart Gritstone Oncology, have signed a research collab combining both companies’ leading immune-oncology tech.

Machine-learning tool mines lab notebooks for lessons from failed reactions

Nick Paul Taylor / Fierce Biotech IT

A team of researchers has created a machine-learning tool to analyze failed chemical reactions. The system is designed to sift through misfires in researchers’ lab notebooks in search of insights that can support more accurate predictions about what reactions are likely to work in the future.

Patient engagement is key to building a biosimilar market

Mari Serebrov / BioWorld

There’s a whole lot of explaining to do before many U.S. patients and doctors will feel comfortable with biosimilars in place of their go-to biologics.

Biosimilar uptake in the U.S. could outpace adoption in the EU

Mari Serebrov / BioWorld

The U.S. may be arriving late to the biosimilar market, but it can make up the lost time through a speedier adoption of the follow-ons.

India in spotlight as Asian trade talks draw flak on generics access

EJ Lane / FeircePharmaAsia

India's low-cost generic drug industry faces threats from a proposed 16-nation Asian trade bloc, according to civil society groups such as Médecins Sans Frontières.

10 May 2016

Tobira Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial and Business Result

Tobira Therapeutics, Inc.  ( NASDAQ : TBRA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel treatments for liver and inflammatory diseases, today reported business highlights and financial results for the three months ended  March 31, 2016.