Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Our mascots, for instance, got off to a particularly busy start, having spotted a feline creature nearby that sent them into a tizzy. Such is life on the campus. As for us, we are reaching for the ever-trusty coffee kettle and brewing another cup of needed stimulation. Our choice today is the oh-so smooth butter pecan. As always, you are invited to join us. After all, the neurons appreciate a little assistance. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to help you get going. We hope your day is productive and meaningful. And before we move on: a reminder that we appreciate tips and insights. So keep ’em coming. …
A U.S. court denied a request by Novartis for a preliminary injunction to block MSN Pharmaceuticals from launching a generic version of its blockbuster heart failure drug Entresto, Reuters writes. U.S. District Judge Richard Andrews ruled Novartis was not likely enough to win an infringement claim to justify halting the launch. The decision potentially opens the door for the first generic version of Entresto, which generated over $6 billion in revenue last year, to enter the U.S. market. Andrews, however, temporarily ordered MSN not to sell the drug while Novartis files notice with an appeals court, a move that imposes a three-day hold to allow the company time to proceed.
For years, the world’s biggest drugmakers paid up for deals, but now they are writing much smaller checks, The Wall Street Journal notes. After shelling out tens of billions of dollars for single biotech companies, pharmaceutical giants have shifted to smaller targets costing $5 billion or less. The reason is that smaller deals are easier to do in the current regulatory environment, and the sector is looking pretty picked over. All 17 deals announced by big pharmaceutical companies during the first six months of the year were valued at $5 billion or less. During the same period last year, big drugmakers agreed to nine deals, including two that were $10 billion or larger.
