While type 2 diabetes and obesity are the primary conditions currently treated with blockbuster GLP-1 drugs, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly aim to enter additional markets.
The monoclonal antibody and anti-C5 complement inhibitor eculizumab is a well-established standard treatment for PNH and aHUS, rare diseases with an estimated US prevalence of approximately 50,000 and 5,000 respectively.
The pioneering launch comes immediately upon expiry of exclusivity rights linked to the European reference molecule patent, offering patients, physicians and payers expanded access at the earliest possible opportunity to a life-altering medicine used in certain indications within gastroenterology, dermatology, and rheumatology.
While its investigational regimen fell short of the primary efficacy endpoint, AVEO dug into data from its control group and touted a “clinically meaningful” improvement in progression-free survival in patients receiving Fotivda monotherapy.
Eli Lilly said in a social media post Friday its weight loss drug tirzepatide had received approval from Chinese regulators, further intensifying competition with its Danish rival Novo Nordisk in the key Asian market.
Already approved for erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, Phathom’s Voquenza is now authorized to treat patients with non-erosive GERD.