1. The FDA plans to eliminate the backlog of requests it has received for new orphan drug designations. The agency plans to respond to all requests within 90 days. (RAPS)
2. The Chronic Disease Fund, a patient-assistance charity, used 95% of the $129.3 million it received in 2011 for patients taking drugs made by companies that had donated the money, according to an IRS analysis. (Bloomberg)
3. Johnson & Johnson received Priority Review status for a lower dose of its blood-thinner Xarelto meant to reduce the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism or VTE.
4. Generic versions of Novartis’ cancer-drug Gleevec can cost $150 or more per pill. Generic manufacturers said cancer pills are more expensive to produce. (Bloomberg)
5. The European Commission approved Sandoz’s biosimilar for Enbrel, now its fifth biosimilar available in the EU. Enbrel generated $1.85 billion in revenues in Europe for Pfizer last year. (BioPharmaDive)
