Industry news

Russian researchers develop next gen cardiograph scanning

Marchmont Innovation News

The Russian Quantum Center (RQC) is developing ultrasensitive sensors based on monocrystal garnet ferrite film to diagnose possible infarction developments in a patient, RQC  announced . 

US Capital Markets Will Continue to Lure European Biotech

Pharmaceutical Executive

US capital markets will continue to lure European biotechs, according to BioPharm Insight. In 2012, only ten biotechs listed on the NASDAQ, but in 2013 there were 41, rising again to 73 in 2014 (Mergermarket ECM data).

Too Many Breakthroughs?

Jill Wechsler / Phamaceutical Executive

The FDA program to expedite the development and approval of innovative drugs for serious and life-threatening conditions is a great success, but determining whether an experimental compound has real transformative potential is proving to be a challenge for sponsors and for the agency. 

The Challenge of Forecasting Biosimilars

Arthur G. Cook / PhamExec

The introduction of biologic medicines revolutionized treatment in several key therapeutic areas, including oncology, diabetes and various inflammatory diseases. The landscape for biologics will change dramatically in the next decade as many products – more than $60 billion in worldwide sales – lose their market exclusivity.  In response, many companies are striving to bring similar biologic products, or “biosimilars,” to the market to capitalize on the innovator’s loss of exclusivity.

Molecular device could identify pathogens earlier and more precisely

Stacy Lawrence / Fierce Medical Devices

Precision medicine, deemed a national priority by President Obama earlier this year, promises to help to ease the burden of antibiotic resistance through diagnostics that will more accurately identify the specific pathogen underlying disease. Now, researchers have developed a new technique that could enable an earlier and more accurate identification of the presence of a particular bacteria, virus or fungus even when the infection remains only in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract.

Clinical cancer research gets a boost from Japan's cabinet

EJ Lane / FeircePharmaAsia

Clinical cancer research got a boost in Japan as the cabinet called for faster development of a patient registry from the National Cancer Center and 5 affiliated clinics as part of economic reforms aimed at lifting the country out of decades of deflation, the Japan Times said.

Alibaba Health plans wider online sales push in China as competition heats up

EJ Lane / FeircePharmaAsia

Alibaba Group Holdings ($BABA) aims for a controlling stake in HK-listed Alibaba Health Information Technology as it seeks to grow in a still-fragmented market in China for online drug sales that increasingly looks like a tough nut to crack as competition grows and regulatory approvals drag, theSouth China Morning Post reports.

Insurer M&A endangers pharma's pricing power, particularly in cancer: Moody's

Tracy Staton / Fierce Pharma

Drugmakers can't be excited about the wave of consolidation going through the health insurance business. After all, pharma knows firsthand how mergers can put the screws to prices; just think of Express Scripts ($ESRX) and its Medco buyout.

India's Lupin gets Russian production site in deal for Biocom

Eric Palmer / FeircePharmaManufactoring

While recent problems in Russia's economy have thrown some deals off course, Western drugmakers in the last several years have built or bought production capacity in Russia to tap what has been seen as an important emerging market. India's Lupin jumped into that market, picking up a company that will give it a production toehold there.

How The Feds Discourage Prescription Drug Competition

Scott Gottlieb / Forbes

There’s a growing refrain among those who pay for healthcare services that they want new products to deliver more value. When it comes to prescription drugs, this is usually interpreted to mean medicines that provide more benefit, at lower costs per increment of clinical advantage. Drugs that deliver more bang for the buck.