Signifor Approval Highlights Success Of Novartis’ Parallel Development Strategy

With its FDA approval for Cushing’s disease, Novartis AG’s Signifor (pasireotide) is now cleared in both the U.S. and Europe as the first drug for the orphan condition. But Cushing’s is just part of the pharma’s strategy for pasireotide – it also plans to file for approval in acromegaly in 2013 and later for carcinoid neuroendocrine tumors.

The approach being used with pasireotide is a parallel development strategy that CEO Joe Jimenez has credited with helping Novartis to reduce drug-development timelines. During Novartis’ Nov. 8 R&D day,...