The skies are clearing for the healthcare industry, with Biogen and Eisai betting anew on a previously failed Alzheimer’s drug, Sanofi expanding its R&D operations and Novartis spinning off its eye-care unit. Moreover, the sector is active with over US$100 billion in M&A during the first half of the year.
In less positive news, Judy Lewent, current director of GSK, has been sued for her relationship to the US opioid crisis. In Mexico, ISSSTE has a 10-month delay in issuing payments, costing suppliers about MX$1.4 billion.
Last Sunday, Mexicans made themselves heard in the country’s presidential election. The newly-elected president has his work cut out for him in healthcare.
Mexico Health Review spoke with Felix Scott, Director General and Country Chair of Sanofi, on the company’s pipeline and the products that the company plans to bring to Mexico.
Now, jump into last week’s highlights:
National
IMSS plans to continue reducing its expenses and optimizing its budget to remain viable until 2030, said Tuffic Miguel, IMSS’ director.
Multi-organ donation at IMSS Queretaro becomes the first of its kind to include skin and bone. It is expected that this donor can save up to five lives.
The National Association of Distributors of Health Supplies (ANDIS) indicates that ISSSTE has failed to pay its suppliers for the past 10 months, and now owes over MX$1.4 billion.
International
Biogen and Eisai give new life to Alzheimer’s drug that had previously failed during phase II. If these companies succeed, it would be further evidence of the previously-questioned amyloid hypothesis.
Sanofi strengthens diabetes pipeline, develops a management platform for the disease and works to improve its insulin pens. The French pharmaceutical already sells eight diabetes medicines. Sanofi also committed to the construction of a US$76 million R&D hub in Chengdu, China.
GSK’s current Director and former board member of Purdue Pharma, Judy Lewent, has been sued in relation to Purdue’s role in the opioid epidemic currently hitting the US.
Novartis to spin off current eye-care unit, Alcon, to increase its focus in developing new medicines.
Big Pharma spent over US$100 billion in M&A during the first six months of 2018.
