To view this email as a web page, click here

WELCOME TO FIERCE LIFE SCIENCES WEEKLY DIGEST

The verdict is in: The FDA approved Biogen’s controversial Alzheimer’s drug, a decision that has rippled through the industry and spurred debate on the clinical evidence necessary for a coveted green light. It has seen members depart from the agency advisory panel that helped review the medicine, and potentially opened up a foothold for the drugmaker’s competitors in a multibillion-dollar market. But now Aduhelm—carrying the amyloid hypothesis and a $56,000 price tag—is here, and for years at least, while a new clinical trial is conducted to deliver the final word.

Featured Story

Biogen's aducanumab crosses FDA finish line just in time to save its business

The verdict is in: The FDA has approved Biogen’s controversial Alzheimer’s treatment aducanumab. What's next? A ripple effect across Alzheimer's research, more controversy for the FDA and an all-out launch effort at Biogen, which really needs the sales boost.

read more

Top Stories Of The Week

AdComm member quits over FDA approval of Biogen's Aduhelm

A member of the advisory committee that recommended rejecting Biogen’s aducanumab has quit over the FDA’s approval of the drug, Stat reports. Washington University neurologist Joel Perlmutter left “due to this ruling by the FDA without further discussion with our advisory committee.”

read more

Biogen's shockingly broad Aduhelm label—and $56K price—set up a $10B launch, analysts say

Biogen didn't just win the most closely watched FDA green light of the year. It snagged a "shockingly broad" label, set an aggressive $56,000 price and now stands poised for "one of the biggest drug launches in biopharma history," analysts say. The upshot? $10 billion in peak sales—or more.

read more

FDA's 'intellectually insulting' aducanumab decision opens up a regulatory foothold for leading competitors

The FDA seems to have set a new regulatory standard with its approval of Biogen’s aducanumab, now known as Aduhelm, in Alzheimer’s disease under an accelerated review pathway. So now what? Pharmaceutical companies and biotechs are surely asking this question in the aftermath of the controversial approval.

read more

Editor's Corner—The FDA's decision on aducanumab will drag down innovation for years to come

The amyloid theory just won’t die. In fact, by approving Biogen's new Alzheimer's disease drug, the FDA has just resurrected it for a long and healthy future. This is great news for Biogen, but it will decimate Alzheimer’s research, faith in the agency and the healthcare budget for decades to come.

read more

Novo Nordisk, armed with Wegovy green light, preps aggressive push to build obesity market

With a semaglutide obesity green light in hand, Novo Nordisk is gearing up for one of its "fastest" launches ever, execs said on an investor call Monday. The drug will debut June 10 at a list price similar to Saxenda's, which retails for about $1,300 before insurance.

read more

Dexcom puts up new data in Type 2 diabetes, teases upcoming G7 sensor

Dexcom accelerated the development of the newest version of its mainstay continuous glucose monitor, and delivered new clinical data showing that CGM systems can provide significant benefits to patients with Type 2 diabetes.

read more

Grail launches long-awaited Galleri blood test, its groundbreaking multi-cancer screening diagnostic

Now available in the U.S. with a prescription, the Galleri test is meant to screen people who may already have an elevated risk for cancer, such as adults over the age of 50. It's the latest in a potential wave of blood tests for cancer.

read more

After COVID-19 spotlighted supply chain weaknesses, Biden unveils plan to resurrect U.S. drug manufacturing

After shining a spotlight on America’s supply chains, including those for drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients, the Biden administration has revelations to share—and a sweeping strategy to boost domestic drug production. The plan includes a new public-private manufacturing consortium, investments in advanced production technologies and more.

read more

Training break: Pharma companies get into gaming to boost retention, recall—and fun

Pharma companies are getting in the game—using gamification that is, to train sales reps, onboard new employees, reinforce information about new products and even have fun. That became even more important during the pandemic, says The Game Agency and some of its pharma clients.

read more

ASCO: Alpine reports 61% 'clinical benefit' in early trial of CD28-targeted immuno-oncology drug

Alpine Immune Sciences turned heads when AbbVie formed a deal with the company for a lupus drug that inhibits the immune protein CD28. But the company is also pursuing a strategy for stimulating CD28 to improve the immune response to cancer—and it presented evidence at ASCO that its plan may be working.

read more

Resources

Whitepaper: How to Launch a Successful BYOD Strategy in Any Phase

For faster deployment, improved patient engagement, and better-quality data — go where your patients are. GO BYOD with Lunexis™ from Clinical Ink.

eBook: Improving Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials

Create a more diverse and inclusive clinical trial enrollment and engagement environment by learning the barriers to participation and the strategies to overcome them.

Whitepaper: Closed Cell Processing System Benefits for Cell & Gene Therapy

Autologous cell and gene therapy workflows involve isolating cells from an individual, engineering the cells, expanding and concentrating them, and infusing them back into the patient. Optimized automation of certain steps of the workflow may decrease hands-on time and the cost of the cell manufacturing process.

Guide: Your Guide to Overcome Inconsistent Clinical Data Standards

Learn how to develop a standards program that has your full team’s buy-in and improves the efficiency and quality of your clinical trials.

Report: New research indicates an accelerated shift to decentralized clinical trials

New research indicates an accelerated adoption of decentralized clinical trials due to COVID-19.

Content Hub: Process Intensification Resource Center

A one-stop hub for Cytiva resources to support process intesification

Whitepaper: COVID-19 Survey report: The Lasting Impact on Outsourcing Decisions

How has COVID-19 impacted CRO/CDMO customer (dis)satisfaction and outsourcing decisions for pharma and biotech companies in 2021 and beyond?

Content Hub: Emerging Biotech Resource Center

A one-stop hub for Cytiva resources to support process development and manufacturing of your novel molecule

Content Hub: Remarque Systems Resource Hub

Remarque Systems consolidates data, then layers on visualization and automated metrics to generate consistent, actionable data insights in real-time. Click here for more info. 

Content Hub: How to improve the virtual work you do every day

We enable virtual work — offering over-time sessions where participants are more focused, insights are more diverse and business goals are met.

Webinar: Age-Appropriate Formulation Development for Pediatric Trials-Challenges and Considerations

Hear industry experts discuss the recent advances, challenges and considerations in pediatric drug development. Real-life examples presented by the experts illustrate the impact of age-appropriate dose forms for pediatrics and highlight insights into the caregiver perspectives.

eBrief: Manufacturing Strategies to Effectively Industrialize Autologous Cell Therapies

Autologous cell therapies have seen propelled growth since 2017, with the spotlight on the first FDA approval of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy, Kymriah® (tisagenlecleucel), for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Q&A: Planning Successful Launches

Learn about proven strategies for a successful product launch, including cross-functional team collaboration, risk management and using the right project management tools.