March 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Bayer's KOVALTRY® Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), an unmodified, full-length factor VIII compound for the treatment of hemophilia A in children and adults. The approval is based on results from the LEOPOLD (Long-Term Efficacy Open-Label Program in Severe Hemophilia A Disease) clinical trials, which supported the approval of KOVALTRY for routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes.

Amgen announced that a Delaware jury delivered a verdict in Amgen's favor in a trial on the validity of two Amgen patents that describe and claim monoclonal antibodies to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that it received from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, a notification of orphan drug designation for human anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody "tocilizumab," a drug under development for treatment of systemic scleroderma.

GlaxoSmithKline plc announced results from the paediatric ‘LABA’ (long acting beta2-agonist) safety study. VESTRI (SAS115358) compared Advair® Diskus® (FSC), a combination of the LABA, salmeterol, and the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), fluticasone propionate (FP), to FP monotherapy in children aged 4 – 11 years. The study assessed the composite endpoint of serious asthma-related events (deaths, intubations or hospitalisations).

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., announced they have agreed to terminate the Amended and Restated Collaboration Agreement for  CONTRAVE® (naltrexone HCl / bupropion HCl), the market leading national branded prescription treatment option for certain overweight and obese adults for chronic weight management. Completion of the transaction is subject to the parties’ receipt of clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act (“HSR Act”).

A team of British researchers has discovered how the immune system stops bacteria in our gut from leaking into the blood stream that may help in treatment and prevention of life threatening infections.