This Week’s Top Headlines
Merck to Begin Testing Alzheimer’s Treatment Theory
Posted 2/15/17
Merck & Co. announced this week plans to begin testing a possible cause of Alzheimer’s. The testing is commencing after 200 patients were reviewed for three months while taking MK-8931, an experimental Merck drug which reduces a side effect of the illness. The testing will involve over 3000 patients and with continue for up to 2 years. If successful, the testing may culminate in the first available Alzheimer’s treatment. Read the full article here.
Medical Device Industry Fighting Tax to Save Jobs
Posted 2/15/17
In 2015, the medical device industry claimed that nearly 33,000 jobs had been lost since 2012 due to the Affordable Care Act’s device tax of 2.3%. Though former President Barak Obama signed a bill halting the tax for two years, the industry is fighting to have the tax permanently repealed. Leaders are expecting to regain the 7.2% of medical device workforce lost in the three years of the tax’s implementation with two new bills which both seek to permanently repeal the tax. Read the full article here.
Aurobindo Pharma Reveals Plans for U.S. Production
Posted 2/15/17
Following President Trump’s meeting with pharmaceutical executives this month, many foreign drug makers have begun planning production sites in the United States. Aurobindo Pharma, an Indian pharmaceutical company is one of these foreign drug makers interested in following Trump’s call to action. Already running one production facility, the pharmaceutical company has plans to locate its second U.S. site near the first in New Jersey. Read the full article here.
Marathon Pharmaceutical Delays DMD Drug Launch
Posted 2/15/17
The same day congressional voiced aired concern over Marathon’s $89,000 price of a decades-old Duchenne Muscular Disorder treatment, EMFLAZA (deflazacort), Marathon’s CEO released a statement Monday citing that the company is pausing their “commercialization efforts.” Noting a steep price difference between EMFLAZA and its generic, lawmakers were first to criticize the brand which did not develop the drug. Marathon’s statement indicates that it will reinvest any earnings from EMFLASA into continual Duchenne research. Read the full article here.
Incyte Acquires Right to Antibody Development from Agenus
Posted 2/15/17
In 2015, Incyte and Agenus both agreed to work on developing and commercializing antibodies GITR and GX40. In a statement early this week, however, the two have announced plans for Incyte to retain rights to solely develop and commercialize the drugs, profits from which could exceed $350 million. Agenus cited streamlined development as the reason for Incyte’s takeover. Agenus will receive a $20 million payout along with %15 of royalties if the antibodies are successful at market. Read the full statement here.
