BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET
Envision Pharma Group | February 10, 2023
Envision Pharma Group (Envision), a leading evidence-based communication services and industry-leading technology solutions provider serving biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies recently announced the acquisition of OKRA.ai, a leading technology company active in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for commercialization, medical, real-world evidence and data analytics, and pricing for the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.
OKRA.ai's AI products and solutions transform enormous scientific, clinical, and commercial data sets into actionable insights for customers in the health sciences industry, empowering decision-making and driving action.
Dr. Loubna Bouarfa, the founder of OKRA.ai, will join the Executive Leadership Team of Envision. Loubna recently received the renowned Deloitte Fast 50 Women in Leadership Award as well as the Forbes 50 Top Women in Tech.
OKRA.ai has offices in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and employs around 30 people. With the purchase of OKRA.ai, Envision Pharma Group will have over 1,400 employees spread across four continents.
Envision Pharma Group's CEO Meg Heim commented, "We are delighted to welcome OKRA.ai into the Envision Pharma Group family." She added, "The acquisition of OKRA.ai marks an exciting milestone in Envision's evolution as we continue to accelerate and deliver a compelling combination of technology-enabled capabilities and solutions to clients. The combination of Envision's leading technology, capabilities, and solutions with OKRA.ai's artificial intelligence solutions and expertise enables us to strengthen our offerings to clients across the product life cycle, but more importantly, support patients in their journey to health and wellness."
(Source – Globe Newswire)
About Envision Pharma Group
Founded in 2001, Envision is a leading evidence-based communication service and industry-leading technology solutions provider serving biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. It works with over 200 pharmaceutical and biotech firms, including 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical firms. The company began by reinventing how biopharma companies managed their global data communications programs by leveraging smart technology and best-in-class publication planning. It has since grown to become a leading provider of healthcare communications services and medical affairs technology solutions. It assists clients throughout the pharmaceutical product lifecycle, establishing solid partnerships and gaining client trust in purpose-built solutions.
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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET
Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | January 31, 2023
On January 30, 2023, Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company, announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan-drug exclusivity (ODE) to its subsidiary Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Recorlev® (levoketoconazole) a cortisol synthesis inhibitor for the treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome in adult patients for whom surgery is not viable or has not been effective.
levoketoconazole (Recorlev) being the first FDA-approved therapeutic for the treatment of endogenous hypercortisolemia, Xeris Pharmaceutical is permitted to have seven years of orphan-drug market exclusivity beginning from December 30, 2021. The FDA's Orphan Drug Designation program intends to accelerate the development of medications that treat a disease that affects 200,000 or fewer people in the United States each year. This regulatory exclusivity with the patent exclusivity under Xeris' U.S. patents for Recorlev is valid until at least March 2040.
To serve and assist this community, Xeris is dedicated to ensuring that everyone who needs access to their medications receives them. Xeris has developed Xeris CareConnection™ to provide patients and caregivers with a comprehensive program that includes financial support, one-on-one assistance, and educational materials throughout the treatment journey. Additionally, Xeris CareConnection assists healthcare providers and their teams with education on access and reimbursement.
About Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Founded in 2005, Xeris is a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving patients' lives via the development and commercialization of novel products in a range of therapies. Its unique technology makes medicines easier to use for patients & caregivers. The company has three commercially available products; Gvoke®, a ready-to-use liquid glucagon for treating severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar); Keveyis®, the first and only FDA-approved therapy for primary periodic paralysis; and Recorlev® for the treatment of endogenous hypercortisolemia. In addition, it has an increasingly broad pipeline of research and partnered projects utilizing its unique formulation technology platforms, XeriSol™ and XeriJect™, bringing forward innovative products for the firm and its partners.
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PHARMA TECH
Douglas Pharmaceuticals | January 27, 2023
A clinical advisory board has been established to support Douglas Pharmaceuticals' lead program R-107, an oral extended-release dose of racemic ketamine being developed as an adjunctive or stand-alone therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Douglas Pharmaceuticals is a New Zealand-based pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of specialty generic and repurposed medications (TRD).
Peter Surman, Chief Scientific Officer expressed, "We are very excited to bring together a group of world-class experts in the field of psychiatry, to help guide our late-stage development of R-107." "We believe their deep knowledge in the field, insights and contributions will be instrumental in charting an efficient course through pivotal clinical studies in TRD," he added.
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Some of the members of the clinical advisory board are as follows:
• Prof. Paul Glue [MB, ChB (Otago), MD (Bristol), FRCPsych]
• Prof. Alan F. Schatzberg, [MD] • Prof. Sanjay J. Mathew [MD]
• Prof. Allan Young [MB, ChB, MPhil, Ph.D., FRCP (Edin.), FRCPC, FRCPsych]
• Prof. Wiesław J. Cubała, [MD, PhD]
• Prof. Colleen Loo [MBBS (Hons), FRANZCP, MD]
About Douglas Pharmaceuticals
New Zealand's largest private pharmaceutical and healthcare firm, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, employs over 700 people and exports to over 40 countries. The company provides creative, competitive, and high-quality healthcare solutions to 'improve lives'. It designs, manufactures, and distributes unique and generic products, preferring those with significant intellectual property and technological complexity in high-unmet need sectors. The company's presence in international markets continues to grow, exposing New Zealand to the world. It is dedicated to improving people's health all around the globe. Some of the products that the company works with cutting-edge partners to develop, make, market, and distribute are pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, automated compliance systems, and consumer healthcare items.
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