A bit late to the table, Lupin is exploring voluntary licensing for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines from Gilead’s remdesivir to Merck’s molnupiravir. Meanwhile, pricing for a biosimilar to Lucentis, which has been filed for approval in India, will be keenly watched.

The combination of bupivacaine and meloxicam will be priced at a discount to Exparel, with Heron predicting rapid uptake. Label limited to three surgery types, but analysts expect off-label use.

Pfizer's Ibrance still dominates the category but sales slowed in the first quarter, while Novartis’s Kisqali and Lilly's Verzenio both grew double digits.

Denmark’s Lundbeck is aiming to build up use of its latest neurological, the long-acting migraine preventative, Vyepti, now that US healthcare is emerging from COVID-19-related restrictions, but is facing headwinds from loss of exclusivity on Northera.

After strong first-quarter results, SK Biopharmaceuticals expects sales growth to accelerate as the US marketing environment improves and as EU sales of epilepsy drug cenobamate begin.

The strategy for both funds is to back companies with a preclinical drug candidate that can be advanced through clinical proof-of-concept with a mid-sized series A round. 

IP experts share views on a range of critical issues around the proposed US-backed patent waiver for COVID-19 vaccines. Proprietary materials once public can’t be pulled back, one cautioned, while others indicated the waiver risk may be the stick that pushes companies to toe the tech transfer line.

In this one-off podcast, hear in the inside story of how the Pharmaprojects’ Pharma R&D Annual Review 2021 is put together, its history and the trends it has revealed in R&D over the years.

From mRNA to subunit vaccines, Indian companies have 20 COVID-19 vaccine candidates, while three have already been approved. An August nod for Biological E could not just cut down time to immunize the country's population but also allow exports to resume.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Originated by a Suzhou-based biotech founded two years ago and now being jointly developed with WalVax, China’s first homegrown mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is now entering the final stages of development.

The company previously was unsuccessful securing accelerated approval based on complete response data, but event-free survival results may be more persuasive.