Sanofi (France)
NEWS
Sanofi has been hoping to secure approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its dengue vaccine, but a mixed review from a panel of experts could sink the chances of a green light for the medication.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) set the tone early, mentioning his constituents rationing drugs because of high prices or “leaving their prescription on the pharmacy counter because it costs too much,” but acknowledging that innovations “take time and money.”
Seven pharma executives will enter the Congressional crucible next week as they face questions and concerns over the rising costs of prescription drugs.
Pharma and biotech companies strengthen their leadership teams with new hires and appointments at Cadent, bluebird, Abeona, Sanofi, and more.
As Britain’s plans to leave the European Union—Brexit—stagger toward the March 29 deadline, the UK biopharma industry is taking stock of the likely impact.
Sanofi and Regeneron, following Amgen dropping the price of Repatha in October 2018, have dropped Praluent to $5,850 a year. This is about a 60-percent reduction from the original price for both the 75 mg and 150 mg doses. The new prices will kick in early March.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). Sanofi’s Cablivi was given the greenlight and will become a cornerstone of the company’s new rare blood disorders franchise.
Thirteen of those were development programs, the remaining 25 research-stage. In September, the company indicated it was on a cost-cutting program, planning to save 1.5 billion euros this year. Of the programs it is dumping, the most prominent is a mid-phase drug for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), ALX-0171.
Although bioterrorism doesn’t get the kind of attention more traditional bombings and shootings receive, the biotech industry and the federal government are paying attention and actively funding and developing countermeasures to potential bioterror, military and public health emergencies.
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