Biogen’s Aduhelm Competitors Boosted By Final CMS Coverage Decision

Eisai, Roche, Lilly Will Have Efficacy Data Much Sooner

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ final decision on Medicare coverage favors anti-amyloid antibodies approved for Alzheimer’s disease based on efficacy rather than biomarker data.

rear view of asian senior man sitting outdoors in wheelchair
Medicare coverage of Aduhelm remains restricted to Alzheimer's patients in clinical trials • Source: Alamy

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' final national coverage determination for amyloid-clearing monoclonal antibodies does not open the door further for Biogen, Inc.’s Aduhelm (aducanumab), but it will provide a boost for other Alzheimer's disease candidates. 

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Mounjaro In India: Price Differential, Window Of Opportunity

 

Lilly’s Mounjaro arrives in India, with the 2.5mg vial priced at under $41 in a market that has over 100 million diabetics and increasing obesity rates. Will the product see sharp demand like in China, carving out a chunk of the pie ahead of the potential arrival of semaglutide generics and could there be concerns of ‘suitcase' exports?

Stelara Biosimilars Storm US Market With 85% Discounts Ahead Of Price Drop In Medicare

 
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The development could highlight the power of competitive market forces over government price controls or suggest Medicare price negotiation is enhancing competitive market forces.

Alnylam Joins Competitive ATTR-CM Market With Amvuttra Approval

 

Amvuttra will target a substantially larger patient population with a new indication, but it is third to market behind Pfizer’s Vyndaqel and Bridge Bio’s Attruby and will cost more.

India Landscape For Rare Disease Therapies: Hope, Despair And Funding Hoops

 

Policy advances, measures to back local production and crowdfunding action for gene therapies like Zolgensma bring hope for rare disease patients in India. Gaps in financing, high prices and an ongoing court case, however, stunt efforts to ensure timely access.

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Roche’s Brain Shuttle Delivers In Alzheimer’s, Moves Ahead To Phase III

 

By allowing it to enter the brain more easily, trontinemab’s brain shuttle brings more patients to ‘amyloid zero’ levels faster, and with fewer brain swelling side effects.

Compass’ Bispecific BTC Contender Meets Phase II/III Endpoint

 
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Compass' bispecific antibody tovecimig hits primary efficacy endpoint in Phase II/III top-line data in advanced biliary tract cancer, and may have class side-effect advantages. But additional survival data may be needed to support US approval.

AZ’s Oncology R&D Head On China’s Scientific Promise And True Innovation

 

AstraZeneca remains committed to investing in R&D and alliances in China, where Susan Galbraith, the UK major’s head of oncology R&D, sees innovation eventually reaching parity with the US and Europe.