Takeda, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Bayer and Pfizer
–H. Lundbeck A/S and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. won approval for the drug Brintellix to treat people with major depressive disorder according to a Bloomberg report. Lundbeck, Takeda Win U.S. Approval for Depression Therapy explains that major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the US affecting about 7% of US adults each year.
-According to the BBC, British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is seeking regulatory approval for the world’s first malaria vaccine. UK Firm Seeks to Market World’s First Malaria Vaccine highlights trial data showing the vaccine had cut the number of cases in African children.
-Novo Nordisk plans to invest up to $3.65 billion dollars developing diabetes tablets intended to replace traditional insulin injections. Novo Nordisk Bets Big on Diabetes Pill Development from MedCity News shows that Novo Nordisk is the world’s largest insulin producer and has around 500 employees working on the development of the tablets.
-Bayer won approval for a drug to treat a devastating lung disease. The FDA News Release, FDA Approves Adempas to Treat Pulmonary Hypertension announced that this is the first in its drug class approved to treat pulmonary hypertension.
-PMLiVE reports that Pfizer’s arthritis drug Xeljanz is on track for an extension of its indications into psoriasis. Xeljanz Effective in Psoriasis says Pfizer explains the trial and impact of the drug that was approved for arthritis just under a year ago.
