A couple of trials for two investigational late-stage breast cancer candidates from AstraZeneca have each produced encouraging data for a novel drug class where rivals have previously hit clinical buffers.

A mixed sales bag for the Swiss major in Q3 saw a strong start for Pluvicto dampened by a reverse for Zolgensma, weak growth for Cosentyx and continued sluggishness for Leqvio. Positive data for potential blockbuster iptacopan were another bright spot, as Novartis prioritizes the delivery of high value medicines, and concentrates on the US market.

The firm’s potential new therapy for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia is now in the hands of the US Food and Drug Administration – some have concerns over whether the supporting data will be enough.

One of the architects of AstraZeneca’s burgeoning cancer portfolio, oncology R&D head Susan Galbraith is making sure the firm does not rest on its laurels. She talked to Scrip about what’s coming next from the UK major’s cancer pipeline.

Moderna takes the next step in the in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, with the first approval of the first bivalent vaccine that can produce a broader immune response to new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The PureTech Health-founded entity believes it has made a significant step forward in the treatment of schizophrenia with its muscarinic-receptor acting agent KarXT, which could offer a completely new way to address all three symptom domains of the disease.