Novartis quietly drops three pipeline projects

Novartis has terminated development of three mid- to late-stage pipeline projects, Scrip discovered after comparing the company's 1Q 2014 and 4Q 2013 results. The dropped products include secukinumab in its uveitis indication, a Phase IIb/III product to treat fragile X syndrome, and a Phase II drug to treat Clostridium difficile infection.

Novartis is no stranger to the practice of quietly terminating pipeline products and burying the news in its results. In 2011, Scrip noticed that agomelatine, a drug touted as a...