Alexion Pharmaceuticals drug Ultomiris is already approved to treat a rare blood disorder, but the company hoped the antibody’s approach could also work in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Despite failing in ALS, Alexion, recently acquired by AstraZeneca, brings additional clinical-stage programs for rare diseases.
The FDA approved Apellis Pharmaceuticals drug pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) as a treatment for a rare blood disorder that is currently treated with medicines sold by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a biotech being acquired by AstraZeneca. But Apellis’s drug beat Alexion drug Soliris in a head-to-head test, and the smaller company aims to steal market share from its larger rival.
The future looks bright for the integrated specialty pharmacy model – for health systems, providers, and most importantly, for patients.
The company said in its 2Q earnings that it would halt development of ALXN2040 for C3 glomerulopathy, or C3G, citing the drug's lack of potency. However, it may develop a second, more potent drug from the Achillion acquisition, ALXN2050, in the same disease.
Alexion said that the deal would help it diversify beyond the complement C5 inhibitors like Soliris that have been its primary cash cow. Portola markets drugs for coagulation-related disorders and is also developing a drug for T- and B-cell lymphomas.
Analyst reports over the past few weeks have looked into what effects the Covid-19 pandemic could have on drugmakers' sales, examining multiple factors. But virtual launches and telemedicine could mitigate some market challenges.
While focus of potential Covid-19 treatment drugs has fallen on antivirals such as Gilead's remdesivir, there are anti-inflammatory drugs being tested to mitigate the huge overreaction of the immune system often seen in patients.
As technology advances, AI-powered tools will increasingly reduce the administrative burdens on healthcare providers.
The biotech company said it would initiate a Phase III trial of Ultomiris in Covid-19-related pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The announcement comes nearly a month after it said it was exploring the use of Soliris, an older and related drug.
In a conference call with analysts, Alexion CEO Ludwig Hantson said the deal was about patients rather than a defensive move against patent expiration and subsequent biosimilar competition for the drug Soliris.
The Brussels-based drugmaker said the acquisition of Ra would boost its potential for leadership in the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, as both companies have drugs in Phase III development for it.
The deal struck Thursday follows similar settlements between the Department of Justice and three other drugmakers. The department alleged that the companies started copay-assistance funds that violated anti-kickback laws.
3D medical animation services have emerged as a groundbreaking tool in the healthcare industry, revolutionizing the way medical concepts are taught, understood, and marketed.
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