Pharma Blog Watch

Galvus Approvable Letter (Pharmalot)
In his blog, Ed Silverman discusses news that Novartis received an approvable letter for its diabetes drug Galvus. "Novartis shares are sinking and on track for a huge decline. But it's wonderful news for Merck, which already launched its own Januvia pill last fall."

An analyst Silverman cites calls the news "one of the worst-possible scenarios" for Novartis, pointing out that it "will extend Merck's lead by more than a year, meaning that it will be more difficult for Novartis to penetrate the market."