LUNDBECK, LLC

Lundbeck initiates MASCOT, a phase III trial assessing amlenetug's efficacy and safety for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), following positive AMULET phase II results.

CVS Caremark adjusts diabetes drug coverage for 2025, removing older therapies like V-go Infusion Pump and Merck's Janumet/Janumet XR, in favor of newer products and generics. Notable additions include Twiist infusion system, Zituvimet, and biosimilars to Lantus. CVS also adds HIV, cancer, and mental health treatments to its formulary.

The article introduces Daniel Beck and Karson Putt as authors, detailing their extensive backgrounds in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, respectively. It also mentions reviewers Pablo Martín-Gago and Ravi Kurumbail, highlighting their significant contributions to the field, particularly in hit discovery and structural biology.

CEO Charl van Zyl identified Phase III programs as Lundbeck's 'biggest shortcomings' upon joining in 2023.

In 2024, smaller deals have dominated pharma M&A, with no single deal surpassing $5 billion. Despite this, M&A remains crucial for refilling pipelines and supporting smaller biotechs. Notable deals include Vertex's $4.9 billion acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences, Eli Lilly's $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic, and Gilead's $4.3 billion purchase of CymaBay. Oncology and neuroscience have seen significant activity, with Novartis and AstraZeneca leading in oncology, and Bristol Myers Squibb and Lundbeck in neuroscience.

Lundbeck to acquire Longboard for $2.6 billion, gaining access to bexicaserin, a 5-HT2C agonist in development for rare epilepsies, enhancing Lundbeck's neuro-rare disease franchise.

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (Nat Rev Drug Discov) has online ISSN 1474-1784 and print ISSN 1474-1776.

Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) was safe over 24 weeks in a phase 3 trial, with low treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) agitation. TEAEs were rare in the extension study for those without initial TEAEs. The analysis, led by Anton P. Porsteinsson, aimed to understand brexpiprazole's long-term safety profile, suggesting no increased risk of TEAEs with longer-term treatment.

Regeneron's Eylea sales miss estimates, UCB sees potential in Alzheimer's drug bepranemab, Madrigal's Rezdiffra sales exceed expectations, AbbVie partners with EvolveImmune for cancer drugs, Lundbeck acquires Longboard Pharmaceuticals, and PTC Therapeutics awaits FDA decision on Translarna for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.