CHMP backs Victrelis, Yervoy, Benlysta

EMA's CHMP recommended approval of several drugs already approved in the U.S., including HCV drug Victrelis boceprevir from Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK). FDA approved Victrelis last Friday. CHMP also backed Yervoy ipilimumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) for unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Benlysta belimumab from Human Genome Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:HGSI) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); and Vibativ telavancin from Theravance Inc. (NASDAQ:THRX) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) for nosocomial pneumonia. Theravance gained $0.23 to $25.48 on Friday, while Human Genome slipped $0.54 to $27.44. ...