Industry news

Will docs jump on new biosims? Survey shows they'll need some nudging

Carly Helfand / FiercePharma

Drugmakers are well aware of the biosimilars threatening to steal sales and market share from some of the world's best-selling biologics. Doctors, though? Not so much, a new report suggests.

18 August 2015

Epic Sciences' Dr. Dena Marrinucci Is Recognized as an Honoree of MIT Technology Review's Annual INNOVATORS UNDER 35 List

Today, MIT Technology Review revealed its annual list of Innovators Under 35. For over a decade, the global media company has recognized a list of exceptionally talented technologists whose work has great potential to transform the world. For her work in the field of biotechnology and medicine, Epic Sciences' Dena Marrinucci, Ph.D., has been recognized as an entrepreneur on the list for her groundbreaking work in developing and advancing a new technology to unlock the promise of using a simple blood test, called a liquid biopsy, to manage cancer treatments.

China FDA issues software guidelines on medical devices effective this month

EJ Lane / FeircePharmaAsia

China FDA has issued guidelines on registering medical device software that took effect this month that require detailed reporting as part of registration and supervision.

Who exports Russian medicines; where are they sent?

Irina Zhavoronkova / Russia&India Report

The American pharmaceutical company Abbott purchased Veropharm, the Russian manufacturer of generic drugs, last year. Their plan is to begin exporting medicines manufactured in Russian plants. German and French pharmaceutical companies in Russia are also looking to raise exports.

How the NHS Is Locking Out Britain's Digital-Health Startups

Oliver Staley / Bloomberg

Peter Hames was born in the northern English city of Leeds, educated at Oxford, and founded a digital health startup in London in 2010. Six months ago, he and his company moved to San Francisco.

NICE plots takeover of England's Cancer Drugs Fund

Emily Wasserman / FiercePharma

England's Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) has been sliding down a slippery slope lately, dealing with budget overruns and backlash from drugmakers and patients unhappy with the fund's decision to ax certain meds from its list. Now, in light of these problems, the country's cost watchdogs are planning to take the reins and give the fund a much-needed makeover.

17 August 2015

Tobira Therapeutics Announces Initiation of ORION, a Phase 2a Study of Cenicriviroc in Obese Patients with Suspected Fatty Liver Disease

Tobira Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBRA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel treatments for liver and inflammatory diseases, announced today the enrollment of the first patient into the Phase 2a ORION study. 

Pharma M&A, investment in Russia leading to exports, RBC Daily says

EJ Lane / FeircePharmaAsia

U.S.-based Abbott Laboratories ($ABT) is among a number of companies that hope to leverage acquisitions in Russia into exports, with other players such as India's Lupin among other potential firms to look to ship wider abroad.

The top 5 vaccine makers by 2014 revenue

Eric Sagonowsky and Amirah Al Idrus / Fierce Vaccines

Longtime industry watchers will recognize the names on 2014's list of top vaccines producers. With the industry's noted barriers to entry, the players are well established--however, a recent EvaluatePharma analysis estimates that the race for vaccines is about to heat up. The report predicts that the top four firms by 2020 are expected to be within less than one percentage point of market share of each other, and last year's developments in the field may have set the stage for that contest. Here, we break down the top 5 vaccines producers of 2014.

Report cards look positive, but some underachievers still spook investors

Peter Winter / BioWorld

Second quarter financial results for biotechnology companies are coming in thick and fast and overall, for the larger biotech companies at least, their report cards have been positive. However, a few companies failed to live up to expectations. As a result, the BioWorld Blue Chip Index, comprising 20 of the leading companies ranked by market cap, closed July with only a marginal 0.9 percent gain as the gainers just held sway over the decliners.