Healthcare Business Report: Celgene’s SUCCESS, Lilly’s MIXED Results

The Biotech Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reports that its apremilast treatment for psoriatic arthritis has met primary efficacy goals in a Phase 3 study, and that FDA and European Commission regulatory approval will be sought for the drug in 2013. In addition, apremilast also achieved its primary goal in a separate evaluation of patients suffering from Behcet’s disease, which is a rare inflammatory condition.

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On Wednesday an FDA advisory committee voted 13 to 1 in support of the use of Novartis AG’ (NYSE:NVS) tobramycin inhalation powder for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis and whose lungs contain bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibiotic powder would be more convenient than Novartis’ older version of tobramycin, a med that requires a nebulizer machine.

Merge Healthcare Incorporated (NASDAQ:MRGE) shares move up significantly following word of its intention to explore strategic alternatives that include a potential sale of the company or a business combination.

Eli Lilly and Company’s (NYSE:LLY) Phase III Pointbreak trial failed to meet its primary goal of improved overall survival in lung-cancer patients, but it did meet a secondary goal of improved progression-free survival for the Alimta arm.

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