Alimentary/Metabolic

The blockbuster GLP-1 analog demonstrated a capability for fibrosis reduction and disease resolution in the Phase III ESSENCE study. The firm plans to file for approval in 2025.

Panels at the recent BioFuture conference focused on the next breakthroughs in areas such as oncology and neurodegenerative diseases, continuing challenges to GLP-1 agonists, financing and how use of AI is taking shape.

The UK group began more clinical trials last year than any other company, a new report from Citeline has found.

Lanreotide supply challenges could impact Cipla’s US revenues in the coming quarter, while the firm hopes it can seize emerging opportunities in the GLP-I segment in India, where Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are progressing filings for their blockbuster products.

Strides is to supply semaglutide and liraglutide to generics companies amid global capacity constraints and drug shortages, ahead of loss of exclusivity. An ability to make drug-device combinations has meant it has contracts for seven of the eight GLP-1 agonists, and counting

Two of 2030’s forecast blockbuster obesity drugs are facing binary readouts by the end of the year. Here’s what that could mean for their developers, Novo Nordisk and Amgen.

A mild benefit in the CV outcomes trial of Rybelsus means a likely label expansion in diabetes patients, but probably not vastly increased sales.

A Phase II study shows that D2 receptor antagonist NG101 can significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in patients taking Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide for obesity.

Emerging Company Profile: The Maryland-based biotech is working on a functional cure for type 1 diabetes that is similar to Vertex’s VX-880 – but with some key differences.

The US major is investing over $360m in new money into the UK but the country has being losing its lustre as an appealing place to invest since Brexit and needs to offer more to multinationals.

The IL-23 antagonist Omvoh is under FDA/EMA review for Crohn’s disease; Lilly reported new Phase III data showing the drug is better than Stelara on multiple endpoints of histologic response.

The payout will bring GSK closer to resolving lawsuits which have occupied it for years – though investors are now likely to focus on new product growth concerns at the UK firm.

Chinese firm Sciwind has revealed additional Phase III findings for its promising once-weekly GLP-1 agonist ecnoglutide, just one asset in a burgeoning Chinese sector that could see the emergence of new rivals to current global leaders in obesity and diabetes.

The US International Trade Commission looks set to ban the importation of Ascletis's THRβ agonist into the US for use in clinical trials due to an initial legal determination on potential infringement of trade secrets related to Viking's same-class candidate VK2809.

CEO Chris Cargill talks to Scrip about Sosei Heptares’ new identity as Nxera, the ups and downs of being big pharma’s go-to small-molecule drug hunter and its move into commercialization in Japan.

The Swiss group’s head of cardiovascular, renal and metabolism aims to speed its incretins to market, and tackle the plateauing of weight loss and muscle wastage through combinations.    

A new contender emerges in obesity with pipeline assets from Jiangsu Hengrui, including a Phase III dual agonist, and an experienced team already focused on commercial hurdles.

Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president, biopharmaceuticals R&D, in an interview with Scrip, outlines how the company is using a holistic approach to define a new competitive landscape in the weight loss sector. She also sees new frontiers for the firm and its potential partners both in China and beyond to jointly explore aimed at maintaining healthy muscle mass while decreasing body fat.

At an investor meeting in London, the Swiss company sets out plans for more disciplined decision-making to help it launch a new wave of blockbuster drugs.