And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, as you know, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is rather modest. Other than taking in another installment in our “Let’s-see-them-before-they-die” concert series, we plan on catching up on reading and napping. And what about you? This is a lovely time of year to enjoy the great outdoors. Perhaps you might want to pick a few apples? Or take a long drive to clear your head? Or locate a spot where North Korea will not be able to find you? Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon …
The Food and Drug Administration approved a biosimilar version of Avastin, the best-selling cancer treatment marketed by Roche (ROG). The drug, which will be sold by Amgen (AMGN) and called Mvasi, was approved to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and types of lung, kidney, cervical, and brain cancers. Avastin costs between $6,100 to $12,300 a month, although Amgen has not disclosed pricing. Biosimilars are expected to cost up to 30 percent less than brand-name drugs.
U.S. prosecutors identified Insys Therapeutics (INSY) founder John Kapoor as an unindicted co-conspirator in a case accusing six former executives and managers of participating in a scheme that involved bribing doctors to prescribe a Subsys version of the fentanyl opioid, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the court docket shows an Oct. 16, 2018, trial date has been set for those former executives. The drug was approved for treating breakthrough cancer pain, but was often prescribed to patients without cancer, according to federal prosecutors.
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