Clinical Trials

Novartis Development Head On The India Hub, AI And Not Doing ‘Me Too’ Stuff In Obesity

 

Novartis president, development and chief medical officer talks about the pivotal role of the development India hub in progressing breakthrough drugs, how AI is delivering gains in the trials arena, driving focus in the R&D engine and the Swiss group’s approach in the obesity space.

2025’s Biggest New Launches

 

Big pharma once again fails to dominate the top 20 expected best sellers from products due for launch this year. Small-to-medium pharma account for nearly half the list, while Vertex has two products in the top five.

Dupixent Set To Dominate Bullous Pemphigoid Space

 

Argenx has discontinued Vyvgart for the rare skin disease as other potential candidates linger in the very early stages of development.

Arcus’s Casdatifan Differentiates, But Data Overshadowed By Gilead Opting Out

 
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With new Phase I/Ib results in kidney cancer, the HIF-2a inhibitor outshines Merck’s Welireg, but longtime Arcus partner Gilead decided not to exercise its option for casdatifan.


Alligator Snaps Back Into Shape With Cash And FDA Backing

 
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The Swedish biotech has held positive talks with US regulators about the Phase III design for its pancreatic cancer candidate, mitazalimab. Now it needs to pin down a partner.

GSK To Maintain Lead With Newly Approved Meningococcal Vaccine Penmenvy

 

Pfizer has been unable to take a big slice of the meningococcal vaccine market with Penbraya and now GSK looks set to consolidate its lead with its new 5-in-1 vaccine.

Pipeline Watch: Sixteen Approvals And Seven Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Parexel Leaders On Trial Diversity, AI And What’s Holding Sponsors Back In India

 

Parexel's CEO Peyton Howell and India boss Sanjay Vyas talk to Scrip about the value of clinical trial diversity, AI pilots underway and opportunities for India amid geopolitical rumblings, as well as the need for standardized regulatory approaches to enhance sponsor interest.


Bristol Gives Up On Adjuvant Melanoma For Opdualag With Failed Trial

 
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The checkpoint inhibitor combo missed a recurrence-free survival endpoint in Phase III in post-surgical melanoma. The LAG-3 inhibitor-containing product continues development in lung cancer, however.

Apollo Awaits First Proof-Of-Concept Data For Atopic Dermatitis Drug

 

Having built its portfolio from university collaborations and targeted in-licensing, the UK firm now hopes to validate its business model with Phase II readouts in 2025.

Lexicon Has A Lot Riding On LX9211 Phase IIb Readout In Pain

 

CEO Mike Exton talked to Scrip about moving the company forward after a disappointingly disruptive 2024.

Ipsen Pleased With Iqirvo Launch And Plots More Deals

 
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The Paris-headquartered group has been reflecting on a solid performance last year.


Spotlight On IPF Successors To Esbriet And Ofev

 

Only two drugs have been approved for the progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease but the pipeline is full of promising, and hopefully more tolerable, candidates.

Inventiva Tries Restructuring To Reach Phase III Finish Line In MASH

 
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Large headcount reduction and ending preclinical programs may give Inventiva runway to report Phase III data for lanifibranor that are expected during the second half of 2026.

Vertex Is Firing On All Cylinders But New Drug Launches Remain Challenging

 

As the architect of the company’s hugely successful business model, Stuart Arbuckle, departs, he hands over a portfolio expanding beyond its cystic fibrosis base, but one that might be slow to build revenues for Casgevy and Journavx.

Novartis Welcomes Abelacimab Back Into The Fold With Anthos Acquisition

 
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The Swiss major may have to pay over $3bn for the dual-acting Factor XI/XIa inhibitor that it originally developed before the drug was passed on to Anthos Therapeutics, founded by private equity firm Blackstone and the Swiss major in 2019.


Aurobindo: US Tariffs “Not A Challenge” For Now, Scouting For Biosimilars Tie-Ups

 
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A US tariff on imports from China raises the spectre of similar action against India, but Aurobindo, the largest generics company in the US by prescriptions dispensed, assures it has alternatives in place. While trials for an opthalmology biosimilar are delayed, supply of other biosimilars to Europe is set to begin in Q2 FY26

Boehringer Plans Filing For Nerandomilast After Second Phase III Hits

 

The PDE4B inhibitor showed improvement in lung function in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a second positive Phase III trial in pulmonary fibrosis.

Pipeline Watch: Six Approvals And Five Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Mystery Surrounds Pliant IPF Trial Pause As Stock Sinks

 
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The US company has voluntarily halted enrolment in BEACON-IPF of bexotegrast on the recommendation of the trial’s independent data safety monitoring board, leaving analysts puzzled over the drug's prospects for the lung disease.