AZ Exec Under Investigation in China; GSK's Lupus Deal; Takeda's Orexin Hiccup

Fierce Pharma Asia: News in Brief

AstraZeneca Executive Under Investigation in China

An executive from AstraZeneca has been placed under investigation by Chinese authorities for alleged bribery. The executive, who has not been identified, is accused of offering bribes to doctors in exchange for prescribing the company's drugs. This investigation is part of a wider crackdown on corruption in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry.

AstraZeneca has said that it is cooperating with the investigation and that it has a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. The company has also said that it is committed to doing business in China in a responsible and ethical manner.

GSK Strikes Lupus Drug Deal with Aurinia

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has signed a deal with Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize voclosporin, a drug for treating lupus. Under the terms of the deal, GSK will pay Aurinia $1.3 billion upfront and up to $1.2 billion in milestones.

Voclosporin is an oral drug that has been shown to be effective in treating lupus nephritis, a serious kidney condition that can occur in people with lupus. The drug is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is expected to be approved in 2023.

Takeda Suffers Setback in Orexin Drug Development

Takeda Pharmaceutical has suffered a setback in the development of its orexin drug, TAK-994. The drug failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Orexin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating sleep. TAK-994 was designed to increase orexin levels in the brain and improve sleep in people with narcolepsy.

Takeda said that it is disappointed with the results of the Phase 2 trial and that it will continue to evaluate the data. The company is also considering whether to continue the development of TAK-994.