Industry news

23 June 2015

Tobira Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Ian Clements as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Tobira Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel treatments for liver and inflammatory diseases, announced today the addition of Ian Clements, Ph.D., to the company's leadership team as vice president, investor relations and corporate communications.

Which Big Biotechs join Gilead in Fortune's fastest-growing pharma ranks?

The company at the top of Fortune's fastest-growing-in-pharma list is just the one you'd expect: Gilead Sciences ($GILD), with its hep C-fueled leap into the industry's top 10 by revenue. And it's no surprise that the next two are Big Biotech companies, given the ascendance of biologic meds. But one Big Pharma--and only one--managed to crack the top 5.

What's a pricey cancer drug really worth? New value-based 'abacus' has some ideas

Tracy Staton / Fierce Pharma

Early on in the cancer drug pricing debates, doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center made waves by rejecting a new Sanofi ($SNY) colon cancer drug as too expensive for its benefits. Now, the noted hospital has taken its cost-benefit analysis to more than 50 cancer meds.

Social listening should be a no-brainer for pharma, study finds

Beth Snyder Bulik / FiercePharmaMarketing

Start listening to chatter on social media and you'll discover that Pepto-Bismol is commonly used for face masks, allergy OTC meds' side effects are disruptive, and knitters get lots of headaches.

FDA hints it will show 'additional flexibility' when it comes to approving device clinical trials

Varun Saxena / FierceMedicalDevices

The FDA released an overview of its considerations and process for reviewing so-called investigational device exemptions (IDEs), which give researchers permission to test developmental devices on humans.

'Valley of death' bridged? Biopharma, academia look to 'real-world' solutions

Marie Powers / BioWorld

For decades, young biotechs have circled the so-called "Valley of Death," trying not to fall into the funding chasm that can occur during the period between discovery and clinical proof of concept – the critical milestone when most venture capital (VC) firms are willing to get on board. But Ofra Weinberger, director of Columbia Technology Ventures at New York's Columbia University, made an intriguing observation at the conclusion of a panel she facilitated Tuesday at the BIO International Convention in Philadelphia.

Want international growth? Africa's set to double pharma sales in 5 years

Tracy Staton / Fierce Pharma

Pharma growth in China may be slowing and Europe stalling, but there's one area where drugmakers might actually achieve some big growth, according to McKinsey & Co. That's Africa, a mere $4.7 billion market in 2003 and $20.8 billion a decade later.

Riding the Bull Market: What’s in Store for Biotech Dealmakers in 2015?

BioTechNow

In many ways, 2014 was a record year for biopharma dealmaking, with $355 billion in total transactions, including $53 billion in partnering deals, $16.5 billion in venture investments and 133 IPOs. According to the 2015 Campbell Alliance Dealmakers’ Intentions Study, 2015 is shaping up to be the year of historic M&A in the biopharmaceutical sector, driven in part by greater access to capital. 

My, my, how you've grown! Look at what a difference a decade makes

Peter Winter / BioWorld

The Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO) International Convention returns to the City of Brotherly Love this week after a decade since BIO 2005 convened here. In the period that has elapsed between events, the industry is hardly recognizable to what it was way back in 2005. The speed of biotech's growth has been truly remarkable, especially given the low point reached during the financial markets meltdown.

Google, Yuri Milner May Invest $60 Million In Doctors Search Startup In India

Harichandan Arakali / International Business Times

Yuri Milner, the Russian billionaire known for his backing of Facebook Inc., and Google Capital are part of a group of investors considering backing Bangalore’s doctors search startup Practo Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the Times of India reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the development.