Oct. 8 Company Quick Takes: Novartis’ anti-VEGF approved for AMD; plus Merck-4D, Acorda, Clinuvel and Puma

Novartis’ Eylea competitor approved
FDA approved Beovu brolucizumab-dbll from Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. In the Phase III HAWK and HARRIER trials, the anti-VEGF single-chain antibody fragment led to vision improvements non-inferior to those seen with VEGF inhibitor Eylea aflibercept from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN); Beovu was superior to Eylea in reducing retinal fluid and thickness. More than half the trials’ patients receiving Beovu maintained a once-every-12-week dosing schedule. Eylea’s label recommends dosing every eight weeks (see “Novartis Details Brolucizumab Wet AMD Data”).

Merck, 4D partner on microbiome-based live vaccines
4D pharma plc (LSE:DDDD) jumped 20p (19%) to 124p after announcing a collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to discover and develop live biotherapeutic vaccines, identified using 4D’s microbiome-based MicroRx platform, for up to three undisclosed indications. 4D will receive an upfront cash payment of undisclosed size, and is eligible for $347.5 million in milestones plus tiered royalties for each product optioned under the deal. Within the first year, 4D will have the right to trigger Merck’s purchase of $5 million in ordinary shares. Merck will be responsible for development, manufacturing and commercialization...