FDA approves Pfizer gene therapy Beqvez for treatment of hemophilia B

Pavlo Gonchar | Lightrocket | Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Pfizer‘s treatment for a rare genetic bleeding disorder, making it the company’s first-ever gene therapy to win clearance in the U.S.  The agency greenlit the drug, which will be marketed as Beqvez, for adults with moderate to severe hemophilia B … Read more

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) earnings Q1 2024

The Bristol Myers Squibb research and development center at Cambridge Crossing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.  Adam Glanzman | Bloomberg | Getty Images Bristol Myers Squibb on Thursday reported first-quarter revenue that topped expectations as its blockbuster blood thinner Eliquis and several new drugs posted sales growth. But the pharmaceutical company … Read more

Merck (MRK) earnings Q1 2024

Exterior view of the entrance to Merck headquarters on February 05, 2024 in Rahway, New Jersey. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Merck on Thursday reported first-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped expectations as it posted strong sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and vaccine products. The pharmaceutical giant also raised and narrowed its … Read more

Walgreens launches cell, gene therapies in service expansion

A person rides past a Walgreens truck, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, in Manhattan, New York City, on Nov. 26, 2021. Andrew Kelly | Reuters Walgreens on Thursday said it will start to work directly with drugmakers to bring cell and gene therapies to U.S. patients as part of a broader expansion of its specialty … Read more

Senate launches investigation into high prices of Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S.

The anti-diabetic medication “Ozempic” (semaglutide) made by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Joel Saget | AFP | Getty Images The U.S. Senate has launched an investigation into the high price of Novo Nordisk‘s popular weight loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in the United States, versus other countries where the drugs are sold. The … Read more

Biogen (BIIB) earnings Q1 2024

A test tube is seen in front of displayed Biogen logo in this illustration taken on, December 1, 2021. Dado Ruvic | Reuters Biogen on Wednesday reported first-quarter profit that topped estimates as the company’s cost-cutting efforts took hold and sales of its closely watched Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi, came in higher than expected. Biogen and … Read more

3.6 million Medicare patients could get heart health coverage

More than 3 million people with Medicare could be eligible for coverage of Wegovy now that the blockbuster weight loss drug is also approved in the U.S. for heart health, according to an analysis released Wednesday by health policy research organization KFF. But some eligible beneficiaries could still face out-of-pocket costs for the highly popular … Read more

Swiss pharma giant Roche’s first-quarter sales edge higher as its emerges from post-Covid-19 slump

A logo at the Roche Holding AG headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Bloomberg | Getty Images Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche on Wednesday reported a modest uptick in first-quarter sales, even as waning demand for its Covid-19 products continued to weigh on the company. Sales were up 2% at constant exchange rates, … Read more

Biotech IPOs heated up, but haven’t fully recovered

Angelp | Istock | Getty Images Think a friend or colleague should be getting this newsletter? Share this link with them to sign up. Good morning! After a two-year dry spell, initial public offerings by biotech companies showed signs of life during the first three months of 2024.  But it’s too early to say that … Read more

Weight loss drug patients spend less on restaurants, takeout: survey

A food delivery messenger carries a take out bag outside aSweetgreen in Manhattan on September 14, 2023. Jeenah Moon | The Washington Post | Getty Images A highly popular group of weight loss and diabetes drugs is decreasing some consumers’ appetites — and also how much they spend on food. Most people taking those medications, … Read more