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Post-Rebif, Merck KGaA Keeps Faith With MS Therapies

 
• By Kevin Grogan

CEO Stefan Oschmann is sticking to his previous forecast of annual peak sales of €500-700m for Mavenclad, excluding the US, and Merck has high hopes for another MS treatment, the BTK inhibitor evobrutinib, following promising Phase IIb data.

Nerve cells
MS to remain a core area for Merck KGaA • Source: Shutterstock

As it faces up to the sales decline of former flagship drug Rebif (interferon beta-1a), Merck KGAA is banking on new multiple sclerosis therapies to help it come through 2018 which, according to CEO Stefan Oschmann, will be a year of transition.

Speaking at the German group's annual press conference in Darmstadt on March 8, he described 2017 as "a year of...

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More from Earnings

EU 15% Tariff Deal Still Leaves Questions For Pharma

 
• By Jessica Merrill

A single 15% tariff rate on imports from Europe includes pharmaceuticals, but it remains unclear if the trade deal will exclude generics or if Trump will offer a grace period.

Dr Reddy’s On Semaglutide Prospects, Capacity And There’s An IP Hearing To Watch

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Dr Reddy’s CEO discusses the growth opportunity for semaglutide, including production capacity and ‘crazy’ demand indications, and a potential 20-plus product GLP-1 portfolio. All eyes are also on an upcoming hearing in India pertaining to Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent in the country.

Boehringer Ingelheim Expects Two Key Approvals In Second Half Of 2025

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

The privately held German pharma firm is hoping to bring a new generation of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer drugs to market but their commercial success is not yet a certainty.

Viking Rapidly Advancing Oral And Injectable VK2735 For Obesity

 
• By Joseph Haas

In its Q2 update, Viking reported that Phase III trials of subcutaneous VK2735 are under way, and that it expects Phase II data for an oral formulation before year’s end.

More from Business

Private Equity Targets Bavarian Nordic But Major Investor Balks

 
• By Manas Mishra

After “intense negotiations”, Bavarian Nordic’s board plans to recommend a DKK19bn ($2.98bn) offer by private equity firms Nordic Capital and Permira to take the company private.

Dr Reddy’s On Semaglutide Prospects, Capacity And There’s An IP Hearing To Watch

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Dr Reddy’s CEO discusses the growth opportunity for semaglutide, including production capacity and ‘crazy’ demand indications, and a potential 20-plus product GLP-1 portfolio. All eyes are also on an upcoming hearing in India pertaining to Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent in the country.

GSK Gains Hengrui’s PDE3/4 Inhibitor, Options For 11 Early Assets In Potential $12bn Deal

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Deal Snapshot: The addition of Hengrui's HRS-9821, a China-originated fast-follower of Verona’s Ohtuvayre in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, should enable GSK’s COPD therapy portfolio to stack up well against increasing competitors in the indication, including biologics and small molecules.