Therapeutic Specific Areas

Dompé Farmaceutici’s Oxervate (cenegermin), a topical eye drop, is the first treatment approved by the agency for neurotrophic keratitis, a rare disease affecting the cornea.

The acquisition will strengthen Astellas Pharma’s position in ophthalmology.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that diabetes drugs called thiazolidinediones can promote the metabolism of glutamine to help control disease-causing inflammation.

Stem-cell developer TiGenix has been acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical for approximately EUR 520 million (US$604 million).

The companies will work together to develop novel gamma delta T-cell receptor therapies in various cancers.

Novartis is set to partner with MorphoSys and Galapagos in a deal worth up to $1.1 billion to develop and commercialize their joint investigational, fully human, IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the target IL-17C.

The acquisition would combine Sangamo’s ex vivo gene-editing capabilities with TxCell's regulatory T-cell (Treg) expertise to create chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-Treg therapies.

The company has run into a snag in producing Kymriah for the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patient population, the second indication for which the therapy was recently approved by FDA.

The pharma major intends to spinoff Alcon as a stand-alone eye-care devices company.

The European Medicines Agency recommended Novartis’ Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) and Kite’s Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, for approval in the European Union.

Safeguarding the know-how behind biopharmaceutical innovation is crucial to the industry’s future, but, in the US, some argue it is becoming increasingly difficult to do.

The companies will partner to develop T-cell therapies for cancer.

A new oral delivery method developed by the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences could change the way diabetics regulate blood sugar levels.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have developed a new approach to immunotherapy that led to the complete regression of breast cancer in a patient who was unresponsive to all other treatments.

The companies will partner in research for HIV and hepatitis B immunotherapies, and Hookipa will manufacture arenavirus-based vectors for clinical development by Gilead.

EMA has recommended marketing authorization for Aimovig (erenumab), a new treatment for migraine.

Lonza has added four liver cell types to its hepatocytes portfolio for testing of in vitro drug models.

GE Healthcare and the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) will support scale-up efforts by DiscGenics for a new cell therapy intended to treat back pain.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Novartis’ gene therapy pipeline.

The use of more targeted therapies is expanding as the public gains access to low-cost genetic testing, and more advanced computer systems are offering data from healthcare systems.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech will acquire biotechnology company BeneVir Biopharm to strengthen Janssen’s immunotherapy platform.

The companies plan to advance programs for dementia and other neurological conditions.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a new method that could help increase the long-term effectiveness of gene therapy.

Research from Gladstone Institutes suggests that transplanting genetically altered interneurons could improve cognitive function for Alzheimer’s disease.

The agency has released new guidance on the development of new medication-assisted treatments for opioid dependence.

LNC Therapeutics has appointed a new CEO and is strengthening its R&D for gut microbiome-based drugs.

The agency has granted breakthrough therapy designation to Roche’s hemophilia therapy for treating hemophilia A in patients without factor VIII inhibitors.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen partners with Bristol-Myers Squibb to advance next-generation therapies for cardiovascular diseases.

According to Alexion, the acquisition will help rebuild its clinical pipeline.

The acquisition is expected to accelerate progress towards personalized cancer healthcare.