Specialty Pharmacy

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Monday announced that it is broadening its cancer immunotherapy research program with the acquisition of CoStim Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, Mass.-based, privately held biotechnology company focused on harnessing the immune system to eliminate immune-blocking signals from cancer.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy on Monday announced that it has initiated a content partnership with the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

The new partnership will support Diplomat’s recently launched web platform, diplomat.is, and its goal to be a leading resource for specialty pharmacy. Additionally, the partnership will further establish NASP’s position as a leading voice in specialty pharmacy and clinical news.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Vimizim (elosulfase alfa), the first FDA-approved treatment for Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA (Morquio A syndrome), which is a rare disease caused by a deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS).

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With new advances in treatment therapy now available for hepatitis C patients, Walgreens on Monday announced it is expanding access to Walgreens Connected Care hepatitis C program through its more than 100 hepatitis C-specialized pharmacies. Walgreens Connected Care is an education and support plan designed to help patients achieve a sustained virologic response and improved quality of life through medication adherence. 

“No one gets paid unless patients improve adherence.”

That’s what Aaron McKethan, SVP of strategy and business development for RxAnte, had to say in a Jan. 13 article on Forbes.com, “A digital health acquisition to watch.” The story focused largely on RxAnte’s recent acquisition by Millennium Laboratories in December — which the author described as a “little-known, private equity-backed urine drug testing company” — and the technology it uses to improve patient adherence.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries on Thursday announced that the Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval of Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) for injection.

The drug is indicated for adult patients with chronic phase or accelerated phase chronic myeloid leukemia with resistance and/or intolerance to two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

HORSHAM, Pa. — Janssen Biotech on Wednesday announced the Food and Drug Administration has approved Imbruvica (ibrutinib) capsules for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who have received at least one prior therapy. Imbruvica was first approved in November 2013 for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy. Both indications are based on an overall response rate. An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not been established.

DUBLIN — Mallinckrodt and Cadence Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which a subsidiary of Mallinckrodt will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Cadence Pharmaceuticals for $14.00 per share in cash or approximately $1.3 billion on a fully diluted basis, which represents a 32% premium to the trailing 30-trading-day volume weighted average price of $10.62 per share for Cadence Pharmaceuticals.