Roche plans to suspend its HIV research because pending medicines fail to show significant improvement over existing therapies, according to a company statement. The company also claimed it will "refocus resources within virology on diseases in which the company can deliver substantial improvements over existing medications." Research scientists currently working in HIV will be reassigned to other activities, according to Linda Dyson, a spokeswoman in Roche's U.S. office in NJ.
The company plans to continue to support its molecular diagnostic tests and drugs already on the market, including the fusion-inhibitor Fuzeon. Roche has partnered with Trimeris, Inc., a NC-based biotech company, to sell Fuzeon, which had sales of $266.8 million last year. The drug has experienced some difficulty in the past because of its high cost, which is approximately $25,000 for a year's supply.
Actelion has signed an agreement with GSK valued at as much as $3.3 billion to jointly develop and market Actelion's experimental sleeping pill candidate, almorexant. Actelion will receive an upfront payment of $148 million and $409 million upon registration of the drug. Actelion is also eligible to receive as much as $2.7 billion in success-based milestones, as well as royalties. Under the agreement, GSK will receive exclusive worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to co-develop and co-commercialize the drug.
Results from a late stage-trial investigating almorexant's safety and efficacy in insomnia patients are expected in 2009. Current data suggests the drug helps insomniacs fall and stay asleep in a nonsedative fashion.
Actelion will continue to lead the development program and potential registration for almorexant in the first indication, primary insomnia, with GSK contributing 40% of the costs. Almorexant will also be studied in other orexin-related disorders and all costs and profits related to these programs will be shared equally.
Michael P. Bailey, senior vice president of commercial operations at
ImClone Systems, has resigned effective August 1, 2008. Mr. Bailey has accepted a senior level commercial position with
Synta Pharmaceuticals, a New England-based biopharmaceutical company.
ImClone has appointed
Joseph I. DePinto as vice president of commercial operations, effective July 14, 2008. He will assume responsibility for the company's commercial operations department upon Mr. Bailey’s departure. Mr. DePinto has 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales, marketing and commercial business strategy for oncology products.
“Joe has a solid track record of delivering impressive results for the oncology therapeutic franchises he championed. His proven leadership in sales and marketing will be of significant value as we aggressively seek to maximize the global potential of Erbitux and our robust pipeline of novel antibodies in the future,” said John H. Johnson, chief executive officer of ImClone. “Through Michael’s leadership of ImClone’s commercial efforts over the past two years, we are well positioned to extend the growth of Erbitux in the years to come. We thank Michael and wish him continued success as he pursues the next phase of his career.”
Mr. DePinto joins the company from Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Services, where he served as global marketing leader, Oncology Therapeutics since 2006. In this role, he was responsible for leading the development and execution of worldwide commercial strategies, market analyses and forecasts. Previously, Mr. DePinto was with Ortho Biotech Products for 12 years where he held management positions of increasing responsibility in oncology sales and marketing and most recently served as vice president, oncology sales. Prior to joining Ortho Biotech, he held field sales positions at Upjohn Pharmaceuticals from 1990 to 1994.
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