Gilead Sciences Inc. and partner Galapagos NV said only a higher dose of their experimental drug filgotinib showed greater effectiveness than placebo in a pivotal study testing it in ulcerative colitis patients.
The return on R&D investment for leading biopharmaceutical manufacturers fell to a nine-year low while the U.S. FDA approved a record-breaking amount of novel medicines during 2018.
Johnson & Johnson said the company’s blockbuster drug Stelara was found to be effective in treating a chronic bowel disease in a late-stage trial.
Europe approved a fifth copy of AbbVie’s $18-billion-a-year biologic Humira – the world’s best-selling prescription medicine – ramping up competition among makers of less-expensive biotech drugs.
AbbVie faces a crunch moment in Europe in mid-October 2018 when less-expensive copies of the U.S. drugmaker’s $18-billion-a-year biologic drug Humira – the world’s best-selling prescription medicine – hit the market.
Novartis’ Sandoz division received approval from the European Commission for its biosimilar Zessly (infliximab) in gastroenterological, rheumatological and dermatological diseases.
Britain’s AstraZeneca said it had licensed a potential medicine for inflammatory diseases to Allergan for an upfront payment of $250 million and potential additional payments of up to $1.27 billion.