BioPharm Executive: From the Bench to the Clinic

Alnylam's victory with Patisiran in familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is significant for more than just the company and its patients. For one thing, it opens up an important new class of therapeutic. It's also a challenge for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, which has its own FAP drug pending approval. Ionis' Inotersen does offer more convenient dosing, but may have a hard time matching Patisiran's overall profile. (Still, it could find a successful niche).

Overall, it was simply a huge month for clinical news--see Introduction. -KT