Mylan CEO Draws Grassley’s Ire By Giving Speeches But Not Testifying In Congress
In other drug industry news, a Sanofi partnership passes its first test and the Food and Drug Administration greenlights a trial for using Ecstasy to relieve PTSD.
Stat:
Senator Angry At Mylan CEO's Speaking Gig While Refusing To Testify
Heather Bresch is willing to participate in a high-profile industry conference this week, but not testify before Congress — and Sen. Chuck Grassley is miffed. The Mylan Pharmaceuticals chief executive officer is scheduled to appear this coming Thursday at the Forbes Health Summit, a day-long event where high-ranking health industry types and investors assess the present and peer into the future. And Bresch is a featured participant: she’s agreed to chat for 30 minutes about the “public firestorm” over pricing for the EpiPen allergy device, according to the agenda. (Silverman, 11/29)
The Wall Street Journal:
Sanofi Partnership Passes First Test With Delivery Of Antibiotic Compounds
Sanofi SA has received its first set of drug compounds from its collaboration with a Harvard University scientist and his venture backers that aims to jump-start discovery of new medicines. The collaboration, a biotech named Warp Drive Bio, said it has delivered a few dozen compounds to Sanofi, and the French drug company hopes to turn them into antibiotics for fighting drug-resistant infections, like flesh-eating bacteria. (Rockoff, 11/29)
The New York Times:
F.D.A. Agrees To New Trials For Ecstasy As Relief For PTSD Patients
The Food and Drug Administration gave permission Tuesday for large-scale, Phase 3 clinical trials of the drug — a final step before the possible approval of Ecstasy as a prescription drug. If successful, the trials could turn an illicit street substance into a potent treatment for PTSD. (Philipps, 11/29)