Weekly Pharma & Life Science News Round-Up: 23rd – 27th January 2023

A round-up of the latest news from the Pharma & Life Science industry; including news from the Pharmaceutical, Clinical Research, Biotechnology and Medical Device sectors from 23^rd – 27^th January 2023.

Charles River Edinburgh is a Top Employer UK for 2023

Charles River Edinburgh has been awarded Top Employer UK status for 2023. This internationally recognised award is given to organisations that show a passion and commitment to enriching the world of work for their employees.

US FDA Accepts Supplemental New Drug Application for Jardiance® for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

The U.S. FDA has accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets, which is being investigated as a potential treatment to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Lilly Plans to Invest Additional $450 million at Manufacturing Site in Research Triangle Park

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announces plans to invest an additional $450 million and create at least 100 new jobs to expand its manufacturing capacity at the company's Research Triangle Park facility.

Enhertu Approved in the EU as the First HER2-directed Therapy for Patients with HER2-low Metastatic Breast Cancer

Approval based on DESTINY-Breast04 results where AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% and increased overall survival by more than 6 months vs. chemotherapy.

Lilly Supports Direct Relief's Efforts to Expand Access to Medicines by Improving Cold Chain Capacity

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Direct Relief announce a new initiative to expand access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries by boosting cold chain capacity in 17 countries.

French Biotech Company AdipoPharma Secures Series A Funding for Groundbreaking Diabetes Drug

AdipoPharma announces that it has successfully secured Series A funding. It expects to enter clinical trials later this year with a drug that represents the first, therapeutic breakthrough for type 2 diabetes treatment in more than a decade.

Aston University Collaborates with Biotechnology Start-up to Develop Drugs to Tackle Lung Disease

Aston University scientists are working with start-up company, Isterian Biotech, part of Cambrian BioPharma, to develop novel drugs to treat fibrotic diseases such as  lung disease.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Partners with AstraZeneca to Develop Solid Tissue and Blood-Based Companion Diagnostic Test for Tagrisso

As part of a global, multiyear agreement, Thermo Fisher Scientific announces it is working with AstraZeneca to develop a solid tissue and blood-based companion diagnostic (CDx) test for Tagrisso (osimertinib).

Experic Expands Analytical Laboratory Capabilities and Facilities

Experic, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and clinical trial supply services company serving the biopharmaceutical industry, announces the expansion of its analytical laboratory and services.

New Imaging Tool to Understand Inflammation

The new Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracer LW223 is the first to be unaffected by the rs6971 polymorphism – a genetic mutation in humans that has so far limited the efficacy of inflammation imaging to around 40% of the population.

Medicines Manufacturing has the Potential to Drive UK Growth Over the Next 10 Years

Recent successes in supplying high-value medicines and in advanced therapies manufacture must be built on, if the UK is to win the global battle to attract commercial medicines manufacturing and reverse the loss of a major UK export industry, according to a cross-industry coalition.

Neuraxpharm Completes its Presence in Benelux by Opening an Affiliate in Brussels to Cover Belgium and Luxembourg

Neuraxpharm Group (Neuraxpharm) announces the establishment of Neuraxpharm Belgium to cover Belgium and Luxembourg, completing its presence in Benelux as it continues its expansion pathway in Europe.

Blackford and Brainomix Announce AI Partnership for Stroke Care

Blackford and Brainomix, the AI-powered medtech solutions company, have announced a strategic partnership to bring Brainomix’s comprehensive e-Stroke solution to the Blackford Platform, making advanced stroke care available to more institutions around the world.

First CAR T-Cell Therapy Recommended for Routine Use on the NHS in England

Gilead Sciences Ltd. and Kite, a Gilead company, today announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Yescarta® ▼ (axicabtagene ciloleucel; axi-cel) for routine commissioning on the NHS in England for the treatment of some adults with certain forms of lymphoma.

Evotec Announces Agreement with Janssen to Develop Immune-based Therapies

Evotec SE announces that the Company has entered into a strategic collaboration and licence agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (“Janssen”), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.