GlaxoSmithKline’s friendly ‘shark tank’ crowdsources ideas for multiple myeloma, kicks off bigger push

GSK ‘Target the Future’ Ad Campaign

GlaxoSmithKline is inviting everyone to its friendly shark tank. Its ‘Think Tank’ challenge launching today aims to gather the best pitches for ideas in multiple myeloma with a final pitch-off ‘Shark Tank’ TV show-style finish next year.

The innovation contest kicks off GSK’s bigger ‘Target the Future’ unbranded campaign to advance innovation and awareness in multiple myeloma.

‘We have a good sense of where the unmet need lies and what tools may be welcomed by this community, and we’ll continue to do that as part of this program, but the ‘Think Tank’ kickoff is to bring new ideas to the table — things that come from a more grassroots perspective than a large pharma perspective,’ Christine Roth, senior VP and global head of oncology at GSK, said.

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While oncology researchers have long pursued the potential of cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, it was unclear whether these therapies would ever reach patients due to the complexity of manufacturing and costs of development. Fortunately, the recent successful development and regulatory approval of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T (CAR-T) cells have demonstrated the significant benefit of these therapies to patients.

Stéphane Bancel, Moderna CEO

Even as public health officials remain guarded about their comments on the likelihood Omicron will escape the reach of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines, there’s growing scientific consensus that we’re facing a variant that threatens to overwhelm the vaccine barricades that have been erected.

Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna, one of the leading mRNA players whose quick vault into the markets with a highly effective vaccine created an instant multibillion-dollar market, added his voice to the rising chorus early Tuesday. According to Bancel, there will be a significant drop in efficacy when the average immune system is confronted by Omicron. The only question now is: How much?

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As Covid-19 drug and vaccine developers race to figure out which of their products might be hampered by the new variant, the CDC on Wednesday afternoon announced the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in the US, found in San Francisco.

The unidentified individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, 2021, was fully vaccinated, and had mild symptoms that the CDC described as improving. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative, the centers said.

The nonprofit Institute for Clinical and Economic Review on Wednesday released a new report highlighting the ways in which payers are generally ensuring fair access to prescription drugs, even when based on a set of criteria set by the nonprofit.

While noting the lack of transparency hindered the report’s results, ICER said that the ‘great majority’ of payer policies in the formularies evaluated are structured in a way to support many key elements of how ICER defines ‘fair access.’

Philip Dormitzer, new GSK global head of vaccines R&D

GlaxoSmithKline has appointed Philip Dormitzer, formerly chief scientific officer of Pfizer’s viral vaccines unit, as its newest global head of vaccines R&D, looking to leverage one of the leading minds behind Pfizer and BioNTech’s RNA collaboration that led to Covid-19 jab Comirnaty, the British drug giant said Tuesday.

Dormitzer had been with Pfizer for a little more than six years, joining up after a seven-year stint with Novartis, where he reached the role of US head of research and head of global virology for the company’s vaccines and diagnostics unit.

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After years as the top spending pharma TV advertiser, AbbVie’s Humira brand finally downshifted earlier this year, ceding much of its marketing budget to up-and-coming sibling meds Skyrizi and Rinvoq. However, now Humira is back on TV with ads for another condition — Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

The chronic and painful skin condition results in lumps and abscesses caused by inflammation or infection of sweat glands, most often in the armpits or groin. Humira was first approved to treat HS in 2015 and remains the only FDA-approved drug for the condition. Two TV ads both note more than 30,000 people with HS have been prescribed Humira.

Viatris employees rang the Nasdaq bell on Nov. 16, marking the one-year anniversary of the merged Mylan and Pfizer Upjohn company

When Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn unit merged last year, headlines touted the $12 billion deal and newly named Viatris as the largest generic drugmaker in the world. But that’s not exactly how the company wanted to be known.

So Viatris — which rhymes with Beatrice — began working to create a new brand and culture from scratch around its distinct mix of old pharma blockbusters while layering in a massive portfolio of generic and OTC meds and building up a fresh pipeline of biosimilars.

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Jeff Dachis, founder and CEO, One Drop

Jeff Dachis knows how to pick a business wave — although it may be more accurate to say he knows how to create them. The founder and CEO of digital health platform One Drop is working to transform the industry with predictive analytics and sophisticated tools. Alongside partner Bayer, which has now invested enough to own a third of the company, Dachis and One Drop are advancing data-driven personalized self-care for chronic disease management.

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