GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Innoviva (NSDQ:INVA) said today that they launched a phase III trial evaluating the triple combination therapy fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) in patients with asthma. The companies’ triple combination therapy is made up of 3 drugs – an inhaled corticosteroid, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, and a long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist. The treatment is delivered once a day using GSK’s […]
Respiratory
Actelion gains on Sanofi deal rumors
Actelion (VTX:ATLN) shares jumped more than 8% to 214 Swiss francs after reports that Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) and the Swiss biotech are nearing a takeover deal that would value Actelion at $29.6 billion. After Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) abandoned its efforts to reach an agreement with Actelion this week, Sanofi stepped in to pursue negotiations. Sanofi is expected to offer […]
Actelion, Sanofi in talks after J&J backs out of negotiations
Actelion (VTX:ATLN) and Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) are reportedly in talks to reach a takeover deal after Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said yesterday that it has closed negotiations with the Swiss biotech. J&J and Actelion have been in informal talks for nearly 2 months and the US company has made an offer valued at 250 Swiss francs per share. J&J said yesterday […]
Adherium’s smart inhaler tech chosen for EU mobile health program
Adherium Ltd. (ASK:ADR) said today that its Smartinhaler was chosen for the myAirCoach program as a part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework for Research and Innovation. The Horizon 2020 program is the largest EU research and innovation program ever established, with €80 billion (nearly $85 billion) of funding available from 2014 until 2020. The […]
H&T Presspart, Cohero Health launch connected metered-dose inhaler
H&T Presspart and Cohero Health said today that the companies have launched a connected metered-dose inhaler designed to improve adherence and optimize care for patients with asthma and COPD. It is the 1st connected inhaler integrated with Cohero Health’s BreatheSmart comprehensive respiratory disease management platform. The 2 companies developed the metered-dose inhaler over the course […]
Mylan to cut 10% of workforce in restructuring efforts
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) shares dropped 5% this morning after it said in regulatory filing that it expects to cut less than 10% of its global workforce as a result of its restructuring efforts. The Canonsburg, Penn.-based company has about 35,000 employees, according to Reuters, and wrote in the SEC filing that it will implement restructuring programs in specific […]
Sanofi throws hat in the ring with J&J’s in Actelion pursuit
Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) is reportedly considering a bid for Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN), competing with an offer made to the Swiss biotech by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). Bloomberg reported that Sanofi is working with advisers to assess its options and has made its interest known informally to Actelion. The French drugmaker has not made a formal comment on the matter […]
GSK, Innoviva seek EU nod for triple combo inhaled therapy
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Innoviva (NSDQ:INVA) said last week that they filed a regulatory submission with the European Medicines Agency for the once-daily, triple-combination therapy fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Last month, the companies submitted a new drug application for the inhaled therapy to the FDA for approval in the U.S. The triple combination therapy is […]
Hedge funds betting on J&J after Actelion remains silent on takeover bid
Despite reports this week that Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) rejected Johnson & Johson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) 2nd takeover bid, hedge funds are piling into the Swiss biotech firm, encouraged by Actelion’s silence on the matter. The 2 companies have been engaged in informal talks for 2 months, according to Reuters, and the latest offer was pegged at 250 Swiss francs per share. […]
Mylan CEO Bresch accepts “full responsibility” for EpiPen price hikes
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) CEO Heather Bresch reportedly accepted “full responsibility” for the company’s EpiPen price hikes that sparked outrage over the past 2 months, but defended the company’s actions while blaming an opaque industry that she said was not built for consumer engagement. The CEO made her remarks at the Forbes Healthcare Summit in New York on Thursday. “There are […]
Fisher & Paykel come out on top in German patent spat with ResMed
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (NZE:FPH) said last Friday that a German court overturned preliminary injunctions granted to ResMed (NYSE:RMD) in a patent infringement case filed in August. With the overturned injunction, Fisher & Paykel said it has resumed sales of its Simplus full face mask, Eson nasal mask and Eson 2, which San Diego-based ResMed claimed infringed […]