1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Geography
  3. >>North America
  4. >>United States

Benlysta In GSK’s Hands: A Slow-but-steady Launch, Or A Dud?

With GlaxoSmithKline and Human Genome Sciences agreeing to a merger July 16, the key question for the multinational pharma becomes what it will do to strengthen sales for Benlysta, a lupus drug launched in 2011 that has fallen short of bullish commercial expectations.

GlaxoSmithKline Inc. will gain full control of a pair of Phase III assets along with a larger pipeline in its $3.6 billion purchase of Human Genome Sciences Inc., but virtually all observers believe the key driver to the deal, contingent on a majority of HGS shareholders accepting GSK’s $14.25 per share offer, is the multinational pharma getting full control over Benlysta, a lupus drug launched in 2011 to so-far disappointing sales results.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from United States

FDA Reorganization Proposal A ‘Mindless Approach To Centralization,’ Woodcock Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

Plan to reorganize the agency into five offices was designed by someone who does not understand the FDA, former long-time agency official Janet Woodcock says. The proposal would eliminate highly specialized expertise in favor of “a big team of generalists,” former Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein says.

US FDA Staff’s Union President Calls For More Support From Industry

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Industry should be more vocal about the harms the recent reduction-in-force will have on getting drugs to market, NTEU Chapter 282 President Anthony Lee said in an interview with Pink Sheet.

New US FDA Roadmap Moves Closer To Animal Testing Alternatives

 
• By Bridget Silverman

New plan to encourage alternatives to animal testing seeks interagency cooperation to meet more aggressive targets for transformational change than the US FDA’s long-standing program.

HHS’ Kennedy Warns US FDA Staff Against ‘Agency Capture’ By Industry, Special Interests

 
• By Sue Sutter

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged FDA staff to resist the “deep state” and “crony capitalism,” and focus on improving the health of America’s children. “You're not here to take orders,” he said and urged FDA staff to speak up if they see wrongdoing.

More from North America

GLP-1 Drug Coverage Growing For Obesity In Medicaid, But Only For Diabetes In Medicare

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Coverage data from the two programs suggest Medicare beneficiaries may be more disappointed than Medicaid enrollees by the Trump Administration’s decision not to mandate the programs cover obesity drugs.

US FDA Allows Telework For Reviewers As Companies Detail Layoff-Related Problems

 
• By Derrick Gingery

The new telework policy returns to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic standard, but still requires reviewers to be at White Oak for sponsor meetings and divisions to have an in-office presence every day.

Kennedy’s Comments On Novavax Delay Scientifically, Legally Inaccurate, Experts Say

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The HHS Secretary publicly acknowledged the unusual delay of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine licensure, but his justification was neither scientifically accurate nor legally justifiable, experts said.