Dupixent could work very well for COPD

Dupixent, a top-selling asthma drug from Sanofi and Regeneron, is showing huge promise as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New Phase 3 data shows that the drug, which is also approved for skin conditions like eczema, reduced the incidence of severe COPD episodes by 30% compared to placebo over the course of a year. The companies' stocks shot up more than 6% on the news.

The drug was tested on 900 participants who are current or former smokers, and the ones who were given Dupixent saw improvements in lung function, quality of life, and respiratory symptoms. One analyst said that the drug could add another $1.5 billion to $2 billion in new sales for the drug. Last year, Dupixent brought in $8.7 billion, which was a 40% increase from the year before.

"We expect solid uptake for Dupixent once approved," another analyst said, adding that "we are strongly encouraged by positive data in COPD which could become a blockbuster opportunity for Dupixent and extend its growth trajectory through 2030+."

podcast

What would Jonas Salk say if he were here now?

How do you know when an ALS treatment is working? And what can pharma CEOs learn from Mr. Rogers? We cover all that and more this week on the 251st episode of "The Readout LOUD," STAT's biotech podcast.

We discuss the theatrical merits and actual implications of Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel's appearance before a committee led by Sen. Bernie Sanders. We also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' latest data for its powerhouse drug Dupixent, an about-face for Sarepta Therapeutics, and how the FDA appears to view biomarkers in neurological diseases.

Listen here.

patent wars

J&J tuberculosis drug monopoly dismantled by Indian patent office

The Indian patent office has scuttled Johnson & Johnson's plans to extend its monopoly on an important tuberculosis drug. J&J wanted to prolong patent protection for bedaquiline, sold as Sirturo, which expires in India in July. The drug is critical for treating tuberculosis, and accounts for about 35% to 70% of the overall cost to treat the disease. Right now, the best price for the drug is about $45 per month for a patient, but a generic alternative could take it as low as $8, advocacy groups say.

"We wanted to ensure that the safer… and more efficacious drug, bedaquiline, was available to all people who need it and to make sure that no one ever has to endure side effects like we did, such as permanent hearing loss due to toxic injected drugs," said Nandita Venkatesan, a tuberculosis patient who publicly opposed the J&J patent. "We are thrilled to see that our attempt to break the monopoly of a pharmaceutical corporation over this lifesaving drug has been successful."

Markets

Biotech's recovery fell apart

D3 vis exported to PNG (46)

The closely watched XBI biotech index has fallen more than 20% since February, erasing a months-long recovery despite some high-profile acquisitions and an averted banking crisis.

The XBI hit its lowest mark since June yesterday and is now close to a five-year low. That's despite a peaceable resolution to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, which briefly imperiled scores of biotech companies, and Pfizer's proposed acquisition of Seagen for about $43 billion, a merger analysts hailed as a positive sign for the sector.

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