Oct. 1 Company Quick Takes: NVS, Microsoft to use AI for drug R&D; plus AstraZeneca, Tmunity-CHOP and AGTC-Otonomy deals

Novartis, Microsoft partner on AI for drug R&D
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) is partnering with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) to use artificial intelligence for drug development, with an initial focus on personalized macular degeneration therapies, cell and gene therapies and drug design.

Setback for AstraZeneca COPD therapy
AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) said FDA issued a complete response letter for Breztri Aerosphere (PT010) to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The pharma said it plans to submit data to the agency from the Phase III ETHOS trial, in which Breztri met the primary endpoint in August; the trial had not finished when AZ submitted the NDA...