PHARMACY MARKET, PHARMA TECH
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc and Zymeworks Inc. | December 28, 2022
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc and Zymeworks Inc. recently informed that the former has chosen to keep its exclusive rights to develop and sell Zymeworks' Zanidatamab in key markets, such as the U.S., Europe, and Japan, as part of the license and collaboration agreement made in October 2022.
A pivotal trial in previously treated HER2-amplified biliary tract tumors (BTC) found that 41.3% (95% CI: 30.4, 52.8) of recruited patients with HER2-amplified and expressing (IHC2+ and 3+) illness achieved an objective response as judged by independent central review. The median response length was 12.9 months (95% CI: 5.95 to not attained). In this trial, Zanidatamab's safety profile was similar to what had been found in previous studies of monotherapy, while no new safety signals were found.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals stated that the compelling top-line clinical data from the pivotal study in patients with BTC demonstrated the transformative potential of Zanidatamab. This big win gives the company more confidence that it can make this medicine better for cancer patients who have big unmet needs. Even though its main focus will be on the ongoing clinical trials for BTC and GEA, these data will add to the growing amount of evidence that Zanidatamab is effective against a wide range of HER2-expressing cancers.
Zymeworks expressed that the collaboration with Jazz is going well, which will speed up the global development of Zanidatamab in many types of cancer and may give patients with hard-to-treat cancers and few treatment options access to a basic HER2-targeted drug.
Jazz will pay Zymeworks $325 million to exercise its option to develop and sell Zanidatamab in all countries except Asia-Pacific in the fourth quarter of 2022.
About Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2003 and located in Dublin (Ireland), innovates to improve the lives of patients and their families. The company transforms biopharmaceutical discoveries into innovative medications to reimagine what's possible.
About Zymeworks
Zymeworks develops next-generation multifunctional biotherapeutics. Zanidatamab is a new Azymetric™ HER2-targeted bispecific antibody being examined in numerous Phase 1, Phase 2, and pivotal clinical trials globally as a targeted therapeutic option for patients with HER2-positive solid tumors. Zanidatamab Zovodotin (ZW49) is a bispecific antibody-drug combination in Phase 1 clinical development. It combines Zanidatamab's unique design and antibody framework with Zymeworks' ZymeLink™ linker-cytotoxin.
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PHARMA TECH
MedinCell | December 01, 2022
MedinCell has received an additional US$ 4 million payment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
This amount is intended to finance the next steps of MedinCell’s program mdc-WWM in readiness to initiate the first clinical trial end of 2023
It follows US$ 11,8 million already received as part of the two successive grants for a total of up to US$ 22,5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to finance the development of the program up to phase 1 completion
The Gates Foundation has a non-exclusive license on the product for the purposes of achieving Global Access in the target low-and middle-income countries, whilst MedinCell owns all marketing rights worldwide
About MedinCell
MedinCell is a pharmaceutical company at premarketing stage that develops a portfolio of long-acting injectable products in various therapeutic areas by combining its proprietary BEPO® technology with active ingredients already known and marketed. Through the controlled and extended release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, MedinCell makes medical treatments more efficient, particularly thanks to improved compliance, i.e. compliance with medical prescriptions, and to a significant reduction in the quantity of medication required as part of a one-off or chronic treatment. The BEPO® technology makes it possible to control and guarantee the regular delivery of a drug at the optimal therapeutic dose for several days, weeks or months starting from the subcutaneous or local injection of a simple deposit of a few millimeters, fully bioresorbable. MedinCell collaborate with tier one pharmaceuticals companies and foundations to improve Global Health through new therapeutic options.
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PHARMACY MARKET, PHARMA TECH
Prescryptive Health | December 16, 2022
Prescryptive Health, a healthcare technology company on a mission to rewrite the script for the U.S. pharmaceutical market, today announced a partnership with Eli Lilly and Company on a new and first-to-market subscription model to help lower costs for people who pay for their Lilly insulin through their employer-sponsored benefits. Through a flat, per-member, per-month subscription fee, employers can offer insulin to their employees with predictable, affordable, and transparent costs. This unique value-based program is designed to create price stability related to insulin utilization, with Lilly refunding a portion of the subscription fee if an employer's total medical spend increases over time for their employees who live with diabetes.
"We are proud to partner with Lilly on this unique and first-to-market value-based program. This solution challenges the traditional drug pricing model and reduces the burden on employers who sponsor pharmacy benefits. The result is that it insulates employers against increased drug prices and aligns interests to focus on patient access and health outcomes."
Chris Blackley, Prescryptive Health CEO
This new program can help address controversial rebates in the pharmacy benefit manager pricing model and will be available through Prescryptive free of any margin or price mark-up, further reducing the cost to employers, health plans, and ultimately healthcare consumers. Additionally, the program offers opportunities for employers to supply insulin at lower costs, or at no cost, to their employees. Added benefits for employers participating in the program include the Prescryptive mobile experience that supports patient engagement and adherence for diabetes care.
"In the U.S., more than 34 million people have diabetes, and some people who have employer-based insurance still need affordability solutions to ensure they don't pay too much out-of-pocket for their insulin," said Mike Mason, President, Lilly Diabetes. "At Lilly, we strive to provide new solutions to help lower costs at the pharmacy, including partnering with Prescryptive Health to ensure people with diabetes have access to affordable options to help them reach their treatment goals."
According to the American Diabetes Association
people with diagnosed diabetes spend about 2.3 times more on medical costs than those without diabetes, which impacts not only every individual patient and plan member, but also employers who sponsor their benefits coverage. Additionally, costs related to the condition include $3.3 billion in increased absenteeism.
About Prescryptive Health
Prescryptive Health is a healthcare technology company delivering solutions that empower consumers. Prescryptive's secure, mobile-first products connect consumers, pharmacists, and employers, ultimately providing people with the information they need to make informed decisions and take control of their health.
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