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Pfizer/Novartis Collaboration Brings Combined Strength To NASH Development

 
• By Joseph Haas and Jo Shorthouse

Combination therapy is expected to prevail in NASH. Pfizer and Novartis, while trailing smaller companies, are studying their candidates together in hopes of hitting on a winning combo for the multi-factorial disease.

Morrie Birnbaum of Pfizer
Pfizer's Morris Birnbaum

Smaller companies like Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Genfit SA are further ahead in the race to bring the first therapy to market in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but Pfizer Inc. and Novartis AG will study their NASH candidates in combination trials in an effort to win what one executive describes as a marathon, rather than a sprint.

The pharma giants announced a partnership Oct. 29 to study Novartis’ Phase II farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist tropifexor (LJN452) in combination with three Pfizer candidates that have reached the clinic in NASH

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Pharma Left Hanging After US/UK Trade Pact

 
• By Kevin Grogan

An ‘historic economic prosperity deal’ does not include the sector.

Sanofi R&D Head’s Words Of Wisdom For Biotechs

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Houman Ashrafian tells delegates at Swiss Biotech Day that ‘literally only two things matter in our industry – target credentialing and differentiated pharmacology. The rest is execution.’

Shionogi In $1bn Deal For Japan Tobacco’s Pharma Ops

 
• By Ian Haydock

Mid-sized Japanese pharma firm to acquire tobacco giant’s pharma operations and take private the listed Torii Pharmaceutical business, in bid to build sales reach and strengthen manufacturing.

Lilly And Alchemab Tap Into Resilient Individuals To Develop ALS Drug

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

The pharma company is helping to validate the biotech’s model by developing a novel amyotrophic lateral sclerosis candidate, based on its novel approach that ‘turns drug discovery on its head’.

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Gilead Joins Pharma’s US Investment Rush

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The company drew praise from the Trump administration as one of multiple companies announcing multibillion-dollar investments in US manufacturing and R&D.

Verastem Wins Approval For Novel Drug Combo In Rare Ovarian Cancer

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The novel RAF/MEK inhibitor and FAK inhibitor are the first treatment approved specifically for KRAS-mutated recurrent low-grade serious ovarian cancer (LGSOC).

HAYA Raises $65m To Take First Long Non-Coding RNA Program Into The Clinic

 
• By Mandy Jackson

HTX-001 targeting the long non-coding RNA known as Wisper is being developed for non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HAYA partnered with Lilly last year in obesity.