March 23 Quick Takes: FDA approves Novartis’ radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Another radioligand from Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN, NYSE:NVS) became its latest to win FDA approval Wednesday when the agency authorized Pluvicto lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617) to treat PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The pharma gained Pluvicto via its $2.1 billion acquisition of Endocyte Inc., announced in October 2018. Novartis views its portfolio of radiotherapies as growth drivers; the pharma also markets Lutathera, a radiotherapy for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Cell culture media developer and manufacturer Fujifilm Irvine Scientific Inc. will acquire Warminster, Pa.-based recombinant protein manufacturer Shenandoah Biotechnology Inc., which recently launched a line of cGMP cytokines and growth factors; financial details were not disclosed. For Fujifilm, the acquisition is a step toward achieving its sales target of ¥100 billion ($840 million) in life sciences business by FY25. Fujifilm Irvine Scientific is a unit of Fujifilm Holdings Corp. (Tokyo:4901)...