Hi all, its our second week and co-incidentally this week SciWri turned one. Happy Birthday SciWri and may the members continue to spread the light of wisdom through their blog sections!
MedRecap
35th Annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC17)
The annual JPMHC17 took place in San Francisco from Jan9-13. This conference boasts to be one of the largest healthcare conference wherein pharmaceutical companies and small-scale biotech companies present their most recent innovation technology and share their future goals. The major highlights of this year’s conference are as follows:
- Major focus on Oncology as leading pharmaceutical companies presented their innovative ideas at the pipeline stage or approval stage. CAR-T therapy presentations stole the show.
- Genomics was another hot topic that was discussed and new therapies and technological advancements were presented. Illumina’s $100 genome was one of the most successful presentations. Illumina’s latest baby NovaSeq was unveiled at JPMHC17. This new machine (available as 5000 or 6000 system) is expected to expedite the experimental plan while reducing the over all cost, although, the real “$100 genome” deal is still far. The introduction of NovaSeq is definitely good for the company’s rising stock.
Head turning business deal: $5.2 billion bid by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd for Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. Ariad Pharmaceuticals, specializing in oncology drugs, developed drugs like Iclusig (Ponatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia); AP32788- kinase inhibitor for NSCLC and now Brigatinib for Alk positive NSCLC patients resistant to or who experienced drug progression on Pfizer Inc’s Xalcori (Crizotinib). The deal is expected to close by end of February.
MedNess
Do we have an alternative to Mylan’s EpiPen?
2016’s most controversial product, EpiPen’s alternative is expected to hit the market with a list price of $4500. Kaleo’s Auvi-Q allergic device will be available for as low as $360 in cash for uninsured patients. However, the company has agreed to cover the full cost for those with a high deductible insurance plan or with household income less than $100,000.
MedPharm
Biosimilar for AbbVie’s Humira accepted for Review
Abbvie’s Humira (adalimumab), indicated for multiple inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, adult and pediatric Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, pulls in annual sales of nearly $15 billion. This drug was approved in US and EU. Boehringer Ingelheim introduced their biosimilar to Humira and has been accepted for review by both FDA and EMA.
In September last year, FDA also approved Humira’s first biosimilar version- Amgen’s Amjevita.
MedPol
Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Future
Cancer Moonshot- an initiative by Joe Biden was a ray of hope for the scientists focusing on cancer research. However, researchers all over the US have feared the thwarting of research after the successful fulfillment of Barak Obama’s presidential term. In one of the last initiative, National Cancer Institute (NCI) is designing a new plan wherein the scientists can pursue new combination therapies. NCI will act as a mediator between the drug makers and the outside researcher’s thus enabling scientists to access new drugs for research.
At the present, six companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Kyowa Kirin, Loxo Oncology and Xcovery have participated in the program.
Francis Collins to stay as NIH Director under Trump’s administration
Francis Collins has been asked by the president-elect Donald Trump to stay on his position as National Institute of Health Director. The duration of his stay is still unknown. He has been serving at NIH since last eight years under Obama’s administration.
This was the succinct version of MedRecap, MedNess, MedPol and MedPharm..more to follow next week. Have a great weekend.
