Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:
Sanofi restructures US vaccine sales force
Sanofi is shaking up its US commercial vaccine operations and will cut an undisclosed number of jobs, according to insider sources. This follows major R&D changes initiated by CEO Paul Hudson to start a new chapter for the French pharma giant. Hudson aims to boost the firm’s Phase 3 pipeline by 50% over the next two years and position Sanofi as an ‘immunology powerhouse.’ Despite the importance of vaccines in its strategy, the company is ‘implementing a streamlined strategic sales structure.’
J&J, Bristol Myers ramp up CAR-T manufacturing
Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb are increasing their production capacities individually following their recent label expansions in multiple myeloma. J&J and its partner, Legend Biotech, plan to double their Carvykti capacity by 2024. Conversely, Bristol Myers, along with its partner 2seventy bio, is boosting Abecma manufacturing to meet unconstrained demand.
Consumer trust in physicians and pharma rises, dips for employers and biotech
According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer research, consumer trust has increased for the pharmaceutical industry by five points to 54%, while it has slipped by two points to 56% for the biotech sector. Healthcare providers saw a 10% increase in trust, while employers and businesses fell by 9%.
Lumicell gains FDA approval for breast cancer detection system
Lumicell, a Massachusetts-based biotech, secured FDA approval for its combination drug-device product for detecting residual cancer in breast cancer patients. The product allows surgeons to scan for and remove residual cancer that might otherwise remain undetected.
Cerevel achieves Phase 3 success for Parkinson’s drug
Cerevel Therapeutics has reported a Phase 3 win for one of its Parkinson’s disease programs. The biotech’s once-daily drug, tavaPadon, when taken with the already approved Parkinson’s treatment levodopa, saw patients experience 1.1 more hours of “on” time compared to placebo.
