Pfizers big split is finally here, thanks to a giant generics merger with Mylan

Fiercepharma | July 29, 2019

Looks like consumer health isnt the only franchise Pfizer is looking to shed. In a payoff for years of split-up talk, the pharma giants got hive-off plans for its generics business, too. And those plans could finally give Mylan investors what they want or some of it, at least. Pfizer has agreed to merge its off-patent drugs franchise, Upjohn, with Mylan, the companies said Monday. The deal would allow Pfizer and Mylan to combine two under-pressure businesses into a new giant with projected 2020 revenues of $19  billion to $20 billion. And with that heft, it may have a better chance at weathering growing pricing pressure in the U.S. generics market. “By bringing Mylan’s growth assets to Upjohn’s growth markets, we will create a financially strong company with true global reach,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. It would also fulfill a long-held dream among some Pfizer analysts and investors who've been agitating for a generics split-off for years. Under former CEO Ian Read, the company weighed a spin-off or sale, abandoned the idea, and then restructured to give the unit more independence inside the company.

Spotlight

Globally, pharmaceutical regulators are becoming attuned to cold chain issues as biologics, vaccines, and other
temperature‐sensitive products are commercialized for a global clientele. Many regulators now recommend including
temperature monitoring technology in every cold chain shipment.

Spotlight

Globally, pharmaceutical regulators are becoming attuned to cold chain issues as biologics, vaccines, and other
temperature‐sensitive products are commercialized for a global clientele. Many regulators now recommend including
temperature monitoring technology in every cold chain shipment.

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RESEARCH, PHARMA TECH

Biocytogen Announces Non-exclusive License Agreement with Janssen Biotech

Biocytogen | March 09, 2023

On March 8, 2023, Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (Biocytogen) announced a non-exclusive license agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). The deal was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC. Under the agreement, Janssen and its affiliates have been granted a global, non-exclusive license to utilize Biocytogen's RenLite® platform and its underlying intellectual property to research, discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize fully human antibody therapeutics, as well as other biological therapeutics, for unlimited drug targets and indications. RenLite® is a part of Biocytogen's RenMiceTM family of completely human antibodies. RenLite® mice can produce fully human antibody candidates with high affinity, specificity, variety, and druggability, as well as a common light chain for further assembly of multispecific and bispecific antibodies with minimal mismatch and high success rate. In addition, the multispecific and bispecific antibodies assembled following the discovery of RenLite® feature a conventional antibody structure and good physiochemical characteristics that are beneficial for downstream CMC development. About Biocytogen Biocytogen is a leading biotech company that offers comprehensive solutions to the global biomedical community for developing next-generation antibody drugs. It has created a streamlined platform for efficient antibody drug discovery and validation using advanced gene editing technology and modern animal facilities. This includes animal model creation, therapeutic antibody discovery through their RenMab™ mice, and preclinical validation studies in vivo and in vitro. Biocytogen partners with over 70% of the leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies worldwide to develop innovative medicines for a healthier world. The company is a leading figure in the field of biomedical research, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this critical area of study.

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PHARMACY MARKET

Viridian Therapeutics Announces Partnership with Drug Delivery Innovator Enable Injections

Globenewswire | May 15, 2023

Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing potential best-in-class medicines for serious and rare diseases, announced a new partnership with Enable Injections, a company developing and manufacturing the enFuse® innovative wearable drug delivery system for volumes of up to 25mL. “As we expand our pipeline beyond TED and assess the unmet needs of patients living with other serious and rare diseases, it’s clear that convenient drug delivery is an important issue,” said Scott Myers, President and CEO of Viridian. “We believe Enable’s proprietary technology can contribute meaningfully to our goal of delivering therapeutic advances while reducing patient treatment burden as well.” “Enable Injections is excited to partner with Viridian to utilize the enFuse® technology to enhance the patient experience,” said Michael D. Hooven, Enable Injections' Chairman and CEO. “The enFuse® on-body delivery system was engineered with the patient in mind—the hidden needle and hands-free delivery allows patients to have increased flexibility, improved convenience, and the ability to administer medication discreetly, whether at home via self-administration or in the clinic.” This partnership, which applies exclusively to areas outside of Viridian's established TED portfolio, underscores the company's commitment to patient-centric innovation. About Viridian Therapeutics Viridian Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on engineering and developing potential best-in-class medicines for patients with serious and rare diseases. Viridian’s expertise in antibody discovery and engineering enables it to develop differentiated therapeutic candidates for previously validated drug targets in commercially established disease areas. Viridian is advancing multiple candidates in the clinic for the treatment of patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). The Company has initiated its first global Phase 3 trial called ‘THRIVE’ to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VRDN-001 in patients with active TED. Viridian is also evaluating VRDN-001 in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in patients with chronic TED. In addition to its program for intravenously administered VRDN-001, the Company is advancing three candidates for its subcutaneous strategy with the goal of providing a more conveniently administered therapy to patients with TED. Viridian is also developing multiple preclinical assets in autoimmune and rare diseases.

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AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy Launches RightGuide to Help Minimize Treatment Barriers

Prnewswire | April 27, 2023

AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, one of the largest specialty and home delivery pharmacies in the country, is taking another step in developing innovative solutions with its recent launch of RightGuide, a custom digital engagement program that allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to seamlessly deliver educational support to patients living with rare diseases or chronic conditions. "RightGuide helps minimize potential treatment barriers, from training patients to self-administer injections to addressing financial concerns to mitigating medication side effects. It's a great solution for breaking down complex details to help patients better digest the information," says Tracey James, RPh, chief operating officer, at AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy. "With RightGuide, we can deliver the right support – directly into the hands of patients – at the right time." AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy created RightGuide to help patients and their caregivers as they navigate the unknowns and complexities of a new therapy. Understanding barriers may be encountered at various stages throughout treatment, RightGuide offers three distinct campaigns, including RightConnect – Onboarding and access RightStart – Therapy initiation and acclimation RightTrack – Ongoing engagement throughout the duration of therapy "Our patient satisfaction surveys indicate patients prefer to engage digitally. RightGuide allows us to deliver relevant information to patients exactly when they need it in their treatment journey," says James. "Patients are more likely to retain this information because it is timely, and presented in an understandable, useful format that's easier for patients to follow." James says pharmaceutical partners are excited to receive co-branded, customized content and drug- or condition-specific resources to help facilitate adherence and retention. Pharmaceutical partners also receive campaign-specific reporting to showcase engagement metrics, including how many patients are accessing information and tools. "Personalization drives engagement and engaged patients have stronger outcomes," says James. "RightGuide is another way we're collaborating with our partners to provide intentional, meaningful engagement while optimizing the patient experience and better positioning them for success on therapy." About AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy provides hope and care for better tomorrows to patients with rare diseases and chronic conditions by delivering medications from its specialty and home delivery pharmacies. Our advanced analytical capabilities, pharmacy expertise and technology solutions enable providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and health plans to deliver optimal health outcomes. Through personalized care and clinical programs, along with access to the leading number of limited distribution drugs, patients can get back to what matters most. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company holds several national pharmacy accreditations and has team members across the United States.

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