GSK’s real world study exemplifies trial design of the future

Using a novel trial design, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has conducted a study in Salford, U.K., using real-world data in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study used an electronic data-monitoring system to notify physicians immediately of any adverse events. The phase IIIb, open-label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Relvar lasted four years and enrolled almost any patient with COPD who wanted to participate, without the limitations on age and health status commonly placed on medication trials. Indeed, over one-half of the patients in Salford with COPD were recruited into the trial, which included 2,800 patients across 80 general practices.

Bristol-Myers Squibb as an acquisition target—and what that could mean for the industry

The pharmaceutical industry was roiled recently by rumors that Bristol-Myers Squibb could be an acquisition target. Max Nisen, writing for Bloomberg, noted that while less than a year ago Bristol-Myers Squibb was the fourth-largest biopharmaceutical company in the U.S. with the potential to buy any target of its choosing, it has since lost billions in market value and is considered to be vulnerable to a takeover.

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