Pharma Analysis

Novartis could find its leadership position in blood pressure therapies challenged in the next two years, owing to generic intrusion on its flagship anti-hypertensive drug Diovan. Near-term, with no novel agents emerging from its  research pipeline, the drugmaker is reaching into its life-cycle playbook and introducing a number of new fixed-dose combinations to stem expected market share...

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A new study of direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising says that spending on promotion may be associated with increases in drug prices. The study reopens the debate about whether DTC actually works, and if so whether it affects drug prices. More importantly, the study’s limitations underscores the need for a large, comprehensive study on whether DTC affects drug prices...

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Ironwood Pharmaceuticals filed for an initial public offering today, a move that several biotech investors had previously predicted. Ironwood, formerly known as Microbia, reported good data earlier this month from two Phase III trials of linaclotide for chronic constipation. The drug, which is in two more pivotal trials for irritable bowel syndrome, has attracted partnering deals with Forest...

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Want Pfizer (PFE) to build a new plant in your town? That could be an expensive date, according to The Day. It cost Connecticut taxpayers $160 million to host the world’s largest drug company between 2000 and 2011: … since 2000, city and state taxpayers have kicked in at least $160 million, through tax breaks, direct grants and infrastructure improvements, to bring Pfizer and its...

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Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) CEO Chris Viehbacher says he favors healthcare reform in the U.S. because having more people with prescription drug coverage will lead to greater revenues. The statement is a rare example of common sense from a senior pharmaceutical executive on the issue. While U.S. pharma CEOs have supported President Obama’s healthcare plan, they have done so on the condition that...

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Well, not quite. The FDA appoved Pfizer (PFE)’s pulmonary arterial hypertension drug Revatio as an injection in cases where the patient is unable to swallow the tablets. Of course, Revatio (sildenafil) is the same drug as Viagra. It just has a different name and a different set of indications and approvals. The drug works for both ED and AHD. Pfizer made this obvious reminder: Do...

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Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for Genzyme, a disappointing Phase II/III clinical trial led the company to drop development of its next-generation kidney drug, advanced phosphate binder (APB), late last week. APB actually met its endpoint of lowering phosphate levels compared to placebo, but the drug failed to improve on Genzyme’s existing kidney drugs. According to...

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The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest is a “corporate front group” that sponsored the near-riots at town hall meetings on healthcare and spreads misinformation about healthcare reform, according to a report by ThinkProgress, a liberal blogging group. It even produced an anti-reform video game, “Super Race to the Hospital,” the site alleges. CMPI’s...

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The idea that Botox is a civil rights issue is ludicrous — and yet that is the line being pushed by Allergan (AGN) in its fight against the 5 percent “Botox tax” proposed in the Senate healthcare reform bill. Instead, Allergan and its rival, Medicis (MRX), should embrace this new “Botax.” Having the federal government dependent on them for revenue will give both...

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Johnson & Johnson recently launched Stelara for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Although Stelara is entering a crowded treatment room for psoriasis, this first-in-class interleukin (IL) inhibitor could put the “no more tears” back in J&J’s future — if successfully marketed to specialists, in particular dermatologists, as...

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