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Erbitux TAILOR-Made For China First-Line mCRC Market, But Brand Recognition Merck’s Real Goal?

 
• By Alexandra Shimmings

Merck's plans to penetrate the Chinese market further with its anti-EGFR cancer therapy Erbitux have received a boost with the Phase III TAILOR trial showing significant benefits when used first-line in metastatic colorectal cancer in this population.

Merck KGAA says it will work to make Erbitux (cetuximab) available for patients in China as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) as soon as possible. But it seems that the real benefit for the German company of any label expansion will be in helping build its brand presence in China rather than in absolute sales.

Erbitux was first approved in China for use in combination with irinotecan or as a single agent for mCRC refractory to irinotecan in 2006, but the standard first- and second-line...

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Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

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• By Jung Won Shin

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Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.

Sun On Leqselvi US Launch Ahead, MFN Pricing And Pipeline Changes

 
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Sun readies US debut of Leqselvi for alopecia areata, while PD-L1 inhibitor Unloxcyt is in the line up once the Checkpoint Therapeutics deal is completed. Management also discusses limited clarity on President Trump’s most favored nation pricing push, pipeline tweaks and M&A outlook.

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In Brief: Neurocrine Details New Data For Schizophrenia Drug Moving To Phase III

 
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Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By Joseph Haas

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.