1. At the end of 2015, there were 41 biosimilars in development that seek to compete with four biologics losing patent protection, a new report from the IMS Institute for Health Informatics found. Of those biosimilars, 12 are in preclinical development and 23 are almost ready to be filed with the FDA. (MedCity News)
2. Acadia Pharmaceuticals said an FDA advisory committee voted 12-2 in favor of approving Nuplazid (pimavanserin), a drug that treats psychosis associated with Parkinson’s disease. The FDA is expected to make its decision by May 1.
3. Michael Bloomberg and several other philanthropists donated $125 million to Johns Hopkins University for a new institute that will focus on immunotherapy cancer research. The new center will be based in Baltimore. (Reuters)
4. Even as more drugmakers and devicemakers make public data from their clinical trials, there has been little research using that data. One researcher said it was surprising that there is such a “lack of utilization of these platforms.” (Washington Post)
5. A study found that Theranos, the closely scrutinized start-up laboratory company, is more likely than conventional labs to return blood work. This may affect treatment options for patients. (The Verge)
