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KENILWORTH, N.J. — A new update to the mobile app for the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals is broadening access to the reference guide. Merck announced Thursday that with the latest update, the app is entirely redesigned and free. Once the app is downloaded, its content is saved offline so it can be accessed with or without an Internet connection. 

 

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Upsher-Smith Laboratories on Thursday announced a new savings and support program for its anti-epileptic drug Qudexy XR, called “It’s That Simple.” The program makes the drug available to eligible patients for a $0 copay. 

 

DUBLIN and ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Allergan announced Tuesday that it had acquired substantially all of the assets of RetroSense Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on novel gene therapy approaches to restore vision for patients with blindness. The acquisition saw Allergan pay RetroSense a $60 million upfront payment, with the promise of potential regulatory and commercialization milestone payments for the company’s lead development program, RST-001 — a potential therapy for retinitis pigmentosa. 

 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Amgen’s supplemental Biologics License Application for an expanded indication for its Blincyto, the company said Thursday. 

 

The drug is now approved for treatment of pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The indication was granted under accelerated approval. 

 

WASHINGTON — The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers on Tuesday rolled out new advertising as part of its “From Hope to Cures Campaign,” sharing two patient stories that focus on the theme of “Achievable.”