Healthcare: Top 3 Drug Approvals of 2015 *** INDUSTRY FOCUS ***

TL;DR

2015 saw significant drug approvals like cholesterol treatments, lung cancer therapy, and multiple myeloma treatment.

Transcript

Kristine Harjes: Top three drug approvals of 2015. This is Industry Focus. Welcome to Industry Focus everyone, Healthcare Edition. I'm your host Kristine Harjes. I've got Todd Campbell on Skype. Hi Todd! Todd Campbell: Hi how are you? How was your turkey day? Harjes: Great, I’m still full, still working through leftovers. That is quite literally wh... Read More

Key Insights

• 💋 Cholesterol-busting drugs like Praluent and Repatha mark a new wave in treating high cholesterol levels.
• 🫁 Tagrisso's approval for lung cancer addresses a specific mutation causing resistance to current treatments.
• 🤞 Empliciti's approval for multiple myeloma offers hope for patients with limited treatment options.
• 🖐️ Market potential and pricing considerations play a significant role in the success of these new drugs.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the top three drug approvals of 2015 discussed in the Industry Focus podcast?

The top three drug approvals discussed are Praluent and Repatha for cholesterol, Tagrisso for lung cancer, and Empliciti for multiple myeloma.

Q: How do the cholesterol-busting drugs Praluent and Repatha work differently from statins?

Praluent and Repatha are PCSK9 inhibitors that work by limiting a protein that destroys bad cholesterol receptors in the liver, unlike statins which reduce cholesterol production.

Q: What makes Tagrisso a potential game-changer in treating lung cancer?

Tagrisso targets the T790m mutation responsible for resistance to other treatments, showing significant tumor shrinkage in patients who progressed on previous therapies.

Q: How does Empliciti fit into the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma?

Empliciti is approved for use alongside standard therapies like dexamethasone and Revlimid, offering improved tumor shrinkage and progression-free survival rates for patients.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Top drug approvals of 2015 discussed by Kristine Harjes and Todd Campbell.

• Three key drugs mentioned: cholesterol treatments Praluent and Repatha, lung cancer drug Tagrisso, and multiple myeloma treatment Empliciti.

• These drugs address unmet medical needs in their respective indications and have the potential to be game-changers.