Austria

Weak demand for virus-blocking nasal sprays since the pandemic has left Austrian biotech Marinomed with mounting debts. The company has applied for restructuring proceedings with an Austrian court in an attempt to secure its future.

Casgevy, the world’s first CRISPR gene editing therapy, is the second drug to be accepted onto a managed access scheme via England’s Innovative Medicines Fund, offering a new treatment for patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

A round-up of the latest appointments in Europe's health and wellness industries: Perrigo makes management changes; European Commission president re-elected; EFSA appoints new members to scientific panels.

Scotland’s health technology assessment body has agreed to reimburse Chiesi’s Elfabrio for Fabry disease, mirroring the decision from several other European countries – however, France turned down the rare disease drug, while Germany questioned its benefit.

A "pandemic overhang" is impacting sales of Marinomed's virus-blocking nasal spray platform, Carragelose, which remains under strategic review by the company.

The latest EU organization to be named under the Medical Device Regulation is based in Austria.

Virus-blocking compound Carragelose, out-licensed to major consumer health players such as Perrigo and Reckitt for use in OTC respiratory nasal sprays, is being adapted for use in the dry eye and allergy categories.

The Pink Sheet highlights recent comments and insights from pharma officials and executives on key issues we are covering.

Santhera Pharmaceuticals did not provide enough evidence to demonstrate that its Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug Agamree was a cost-effective use of resources, according to draft guidance from England’s health technology assessment body, NICE.

As Sandoz continues to fight against antimicrobial resistance, the firm opens a new production facility in Austria, strengthening its position in Europe with a vertically integrated production network for penicillin.

The new commercial agreement in Austria is “a strong signal” of how innovative and collaborative thinking can bring a transformative impact for patients, says CSL Behring.

Orchard Therapeutics has secured reimbursement in Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium nearly a year after the collapse of joint pricing talks between the company and the three countries.

The virus-blocking platform used in OTC nasal sprays marketed by Perrigo and Reckitt, amongst others, developed by Austria's Marinomed is up for sale.

There is an opportunity in Austria: the country is teeming with advanced research and strong talent, but much of it remains commercially untapped. 

Three central European industry associations have agreed to develop joint initiatives and form a collective voice with which to lobby decision-makers on medtech themes of mutual interest.

Medtech promotes more women to managerial roles than other industries, but senior leadership positions see a significant drop in women representation, indicating a "broken rung" higher up in the leadership ladder.

Newly separated Sandoz has provided a trio of updates, foremost for its manufacturing and research ambitions for both biosimilars and antibiotics.

The European Commission’s proposals for legislative reform in the pharmaceutical sector are welcome but must go further to address patient and societal needs, says a coalition of five EU countries dedicated to improving access to medicines.

Drugs for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are among the products that the European cross-country coalition BeNeLuxA thinks would be suitable for a joint health technology evaluation.

A round-up of the latest European consumer health industry appointments: Perrigo makes changes to DACH management; Chiesi appoints Giuseppe Accogli as CEO; Haleon adds Pfizer's David Denton to its board; and EMA's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products re-elects Emiel Van Galen as its chair.