FDA approves Glaxo’s two-drug HIV regimen. The Food and Drug Administraiton (FDA) on Monday approved British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline’s pioneering two-drug combo therapy to treat a form of HIV. “Currently, the standard of care for patients who have never been treated is a three-drug regimen. With this approval, patients who have never been treated have the option of taking a two-drug regimen in a single tablet while eliminating additional toxicity and potential drug interactions from a third drug,” explained the FDA’s Dr. Debra Birnkrant, who heads the antiviral products arm of the agency. Fewer treatments in a drug regimen generally corresponds with fewer side effects and can be cheaper. The GSK drug is called Dovato. (FDA)
Regeneron strikes $800 million Alnylam deal. Regeneron is putting its money where its mouth is on gene therapies, striking an $800 million deal (in straight up cash and equity) with the “gene silencing” biotech Alnylam. Alnylam is focused RNA interference treatments, a method of turning disrupting gene communication that’s used to make certain proteins (which may be associated with certain diseases).
