Disappointment for Australian innovation

AMAL is a Swiss-based biotechnology company focused on developing cancer immunotherapy and vaccines using its immunisation technology platform - KISIMA.

A significant second quarter for Novartis with the Swiss-based company recording strong revenue and profit growth - US$58 million in sales from CAR-T therapy KYMRIAH and launching its gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

CEO Marnie Peterson said the company was the first to join the association under its new ‘Biosimilar Membership’ category.

Next week's gathering essentially replicates a stakeholder meeting called by former health minister Sussan Ley in February 2015 to kick-off the negotiation of the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement - but the context is different.

Takeda has 12 CAR-T programs - iCART, which the company considers a next generation CAR-T, is one of five with planned first-in-human studies by 2021.

The debate in the US over pharmaceutical pricing has increasingly focused on the potential for international reference pricing.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation has recognised six female undergraduate Griffith University students with awards aimed at supporting their education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, manufacturing and design.

Medicines Australia cannot simply walk away from the reform - some of its members have already benefited through the $1 billion provision for new listings - it needs to find a way to say 'no' while helping Mr Hunt and his officials deliver some kind of outcome.

There has been a lot of debate in recent years abut the therapies companies may or may not be bringing to Australia.

The Australian subsidiary of Servier has partnered with Melbourne-based BioCurate to share commercial and scientific expertise with the aim of accelerating the discovery of new therapeutics and drugs.

The advantage of allogeneic cell therapy is the potential for preparation in advance, in large quantities, with treatment available for immediate administration to a patient - compared to the two to four weeks typical of autologous CAR-T therapies.  

A big 24 hours for Gilead with the company announcing a multi-billion dollar investment in a biotechnology company and major expansion of its cell-therapy manufacturing capability.

The nature of 'positioning' and being 'positioned' is one of the main challenges any stakeholder group will face in dealing with policy-makers on reform.