AbbVie is planning to buy Allergan in a $63 billion deal. AbbVie, maker of the blockbuster Humira, is preparing for the drug’s loss of exclusivity in 2023. Allergan makes treatments such as Botox, Juvederm, Lo Loestrin Fe and Restasis. (MM&M)
A federal judge has blocked generics of Novartis’ Gilenya. Generics of multiple sclerosis treatment Gilenya will have to wait until a patent dispute is resolved before hitting the market. The injunction blocked generics from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Torrent Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma. (Reuters)
Illinois has legalized recreational marijuana, becoming the 11th state to do so. The state has allowed medical marijuana since 2015. The new law is also expunging criminal records for marijuana-related offenses. (CNN)
Heads up: This year’s MM&M Agency 100 issue will be gated. Readers will need to register to access MM&M’s Agency 100 content like the revenue table, Top 100 agency profiles and features. Register today to make sure you have access. (MM&M)
The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve an Acer Therapeutics rare disease drug. The drug, Edsivo, aims to treat vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause blood vessels to fatally rupture. The FDA asked Acer to complete a new clinical trial before it would approve the drug. (Reuters)
