1. A federal judge denied Sanofi and Regeneron’s request to overturn a 2016 court verdict that upheld the patents for Amgen’s PCSK9 inhibitor Repatha, which competes with the drugmakers’ Praluent. The judge has not decided whether Praluent can continue to be marketed. (Reuters)
2. Abbott Laboratories is set to complete its acquisition of St. Jude Medical for $25 billion. Abbott aims to compete with med-tech companies like Medtronic with the acquisition of St. Jude, which markets devices for cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. (StarTribune)
3. Gilead Sciences hired Alessandro Riva as SVP and hematology and oncology therapeutic area head. Riva was most recently head of global oncology development at Novartis Oncology.
4. Kite Pharma submitted a new drug application to the FDA to begin a Phase-I trial of its experimental T-cell therapy, which targets proteins commonly found in tumors including bladder, esophageal, head and neck, lung, and ovarian cancers.
5. ICYMI: Drugmakers are demanding the FDA provide clarity when it comes to off-label guidance. (MedPage Today)
