In this issue of GOLD, we shine a light on the top news stories from the pharmaceutical industry over the past few months. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate news headlines, with vaccine trials gaining momentum and showing considerable promise. Alongside this progression, we are still seeing novel drug approvals, major acquisitions, and an increasing number of collaborations taking place.
17 August
Sanofi acquires Principia Biopharma Inc., solidifying their presence in allergy and autoimmune disease R&D.
25 August
In a monumental milestone, Nigeria becomes the last country in Africa to eradicate wild polio.
01 September
BMS’ oral tablet, Onureg®, gains US approval for adults with acute myeloid leukaemia.
02 September
Novo Nordisk launches the world’s first oral GLP-1 receptor for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
08 September
MSD announce the success of Gefapixant in decreasing the frequency of persistent, unexplained, or treatment-resistant coughs.
09 September
Patrik Jonsson is named as new Chief Customer Officer, Senior Vice President, and President of Lilly USA.
13 September
AstraZeneca and Oxford University resume clinical trials for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
14 September
Gilead acquires Immunomedics for $21 billion, adding triple-negative breast cancer drug, Trodelvy, to its portfolio .
18 September
Sanofi and GSK commit with European Commission to provide 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the EU.
22 September
Roche acquires Irish biotech firm Inflazome for $449 million in a bid to increase its offering of NLRP3 inhibitors.
01 October
NICE backs Sandoz’s opioid-induced constipation drug, Rizmoic, which will be made available on the NHS in UK.
06 October
Merck enter agreement with Novartis to launch an osteoarthritis clinical-stage programme.