AstraZeneca

AbbVie announced positive phase II PICCOLO study results for Elahere in FRα-positive platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, showing a 51.9% ORR. Elahere, recently FDA-approved for ovarian cancer, is also under study in various settings. AbbVie's acquisition of ImmunoGen expanded its ADC portfolio, including Elahere, enhancing its oncology pipeline and entering the competitive ADC space.

Imfinzi's safety profile remains manageable with no new safety signals observed. It's used in treating various cancers, including lung cancer, with ongoing trials for broader applications. AstraZeneca aims to revolutionize cancer care, focusing on early detection and innovative treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide, FDA-approved for obesity, show promise with tirzepatide achieving up to 22% weight loss. Both regulate appetite, sharing similar side effects. Future obesity treatments may include novel monotherapies, combinations, and oral formulations, aiming for greater efficacy and tolerability. Gubra leads in anti-obesity drug development, with GUBamy entering Phase 1 trials.

FibroGen, Inc. reported a Q1 2024 EPS of $-0.33272, missing expectations. Key updates include progress on pamrevlumab for pancreatic cancer, with Phase 3 data expected in 2024, and roxadustat's strong performance in China, with a 24% sales increase. FibroGen also highlighted its early-stage oncology pipeline and a strong cash position of $214.7 million, sufficient to fund operations into 2026.

Bristol Myers' late-stage study for Opdivo and Yervoy in NSCLC failed to meet its primary endpoint. Despite this, Opdivo remains a key growth driver, with $9 billion in 2023 sales. The study's detailed data will be presented later, with no new safety concerns identified.

The digital health market, valued at $180.2 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to $549.7 billion by 2028, driven by technologies like mHealth, telehealth, and digital therapeutics. Key players include DexCom and Teladoc Health, with the US market leading at $88 billion in 2023. Telemedicine and wearable devices are pivotal, with the telemedicine market projected to reach $286.22 billion by 2030. Precision medicine and medical imaging technologies are also transforming healthcare, with companies like Merck & Co., Sanofi, and AstraZeneca leading in innovation and growth.

The Scope of Things podcast covers AI in drug repurposing for rare diseases, new breast cancer treatments, AutoCruitment's prescreening, placental pathology in trials, ethical oversight, and industry bias in psychiatric drug studies. It features insights from clinical research leaders and discussions from SCOPE Europe 2024.

AstraZeneca withdraws its Covid-19 vaccine globally due to surplus of updated vaccines targeting new variants, following a decline in demand. Over 6.5 million lives saved and 3bn doses supplied. Vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, was pivotal in early pandemic response but now replaced by newer vaccines.

AstraZeneca withdraws its COVID-19 vaccine globally due to a surplus of newer, more effective vaccines. The company cancels its EU marketing authorization, halts Vaxzevria sales in Europe, and acknowledges rare side effects like blood clots and low platelets, unrelated to the withdrawal decision.

AstraZeneca withdrew its Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, from the EU market due to lack of demand, not safety concerns. Developed with Oxford University, it was initially a not-for-profit vaccine aimed at global protection.