Welcome to the August issue of The Pharmafile Brief, where we explore the key developments shaping healthcare over the past month.
In our second issue, we cover significant advances in cancer diagnostics, the NHS’s ongoing shift towards digitisation, and the unmet medical needs of patients living with Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune conditions. We also delve into the latest in psychiatry and mental health, spotlighting new drug candidates for depression and schizophrenia, and examining the complex relationship between sleep and well-being.
A highlight of this issue is our interview with Russell Bradley, President and General Manager of CNSide – a subsidiary of Plus Therapeutics – on the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system cancer metastases. Russell gives us an insight into how these metastases originate, the current limitations of diagnostic tools and promising innovations improving both accuracy and patient outcomes.
We also continue our Gateway to Local Adoption series in partnership with Visions4Health, a market access consultancy. This third instalment features James Scott, Digital and Informatics Specialist Pharmacist, who shares his perspective on driving digital transformation in the NHS. He argues that real change will be led not by software alone, but by a skilled, supported and inspired workforce.
Also aligned with National Wellness Month, this issue covers the latest news on recent developments in psychiatry and neurology. New data published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) reveals that mental health prescriptions in England have reached an all-time high, with significant increases in antidepressants, ADHD medications and drugs for dementia. Regarding clinical trials, Seaport Therapeutics has dosed its first patient in its phase 2 study of a new treatment for major depressive disorder, which is expected to deliver rapid antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration for a treatment to prevent relapse in adults with schizophrenia.
In neurology news, PharmNovo has submitted a clinical trial application to the Spanish health authorities for a new selective delta opioid receptor agonist – a potential non-addictive alternative for neuropathicpain. Additionally, Secarna Pharmaceuticals and Vect-Horus will collaborate to create new treatments for neurodegenerative and other central nervous system disorders, with the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of The Pharmafile Brief. Look out for a new issue at the start of each month, with new, in-depth analysis across the pharma, biotech and healthcare industry.
1 Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep enhances creative thinking and helps the brain form connections between ideas, supporting mental wellbeing and personal development. 1 2 An ongoing lack of sleep is closely linked to the development and worsening of conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. 2,3 3 Obstructive sleep apnea – when breathing...
By Holly Thomas, Associate Vice-President Specialty Care at Lilly UK and Ireland Immunology care in the UK is at a critical juncture. Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease affecting at least one in every 250 people,1,2 poses increasing challenges for both patients, their families and loved ones, and the healthcare system. Despite advances in scientific research,...
In the third of the Gateway to Local Adoption series, Visions4Health caught up with James Scott, Digital and Informatics Specialist Pharmacist, to discuss his views about fostering a culture of digital transformation and upskilling the workforce to drive the analog to digital transition in the NHS.
According to new data published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), mental health prescriptions in England have reached their highest level on record. The annual Medicines Used in Mental Health report for 2024/25 shows significant increases across several categories of drugs used to treat mental health conditions. These include antidepressants, ADHD medications and drugs...
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has announced the appointment of Cristian Massacesi as executive vice president, chief medical officer, and head of development, effective 1 August 2025. Massacesi will lead the company’s global early- and late-stage product development efforts across all therapeutic areas and will join BMS’ executive leadership team. Massacesi brings over two decades of...
Seaport Therapeutics has dosed its first patient in its phase 2b BUOY-1 study of GlyphAllo (SPT-300), an oral prodrug of allopregnanolone, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), with or without anxious distress. GlyphAllo is designed using the company’s Glyph platform to overcome bioavailability limitations of allopregnanolone, a molecule known for its rapid antidepressant...
Johnson & Johnson has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Caplyta (lumateperone) to prevent relapse in adults with schizophrenia. It is currently approved by the FDA to treat the brain disorder. The submission is supported by data from a phase 3 study demonstrating that patients taking...
Jazz Pharmaceuticals has named Renée Galá as its next chief executive officer (CEO), effective 11 August 2025. Galá, currently president and chief operating officer (COO), succeeds co-founder Bruce Cozadd, who will retire as CEO and continue as chairperson of the board. The appointment follows a thorough succession process led by the board. Galá brings more...
Secarna Pharmaceuticals and Vect-Horus have announced that the companies will collaborate to develop RNA-targeted therapeutics capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to address diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). This intends to create new treatments for neurodegenerative and other central nervous system disorders, and marks a milestone in both companies’ expansion in targeted...
German-based Cube Biotech announced the appointment of Joachim Kreuzburg to its board of directors. This will support the development of the company’s automation technology for membrane protein production. Kreuzberg brings over two decades of executive leadership experience in the life sciences industry. As former CEO and chairman of the executive board of Sartorius, global pharma...
Pharma intelligence solutions provider, Norstella, has appointed health-tech leader, Kris Joshi, as its new chief executive officer (CEO) with former CEO Mike Gallup stepping into the role of executive chairman. Joshi is a health-tech executive with over 25 years of experience in healthcare data and technology, product management and business development. He joins Norstella from...
Swedish biotech PharmNovo has submitted a clinical trial application (CTA) to the Spanish health authorities for its lead candidate PN6047, a new selective delta opioid receptor agonist. The appeal marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to develop non-addictive alternatives for neuropathic pain. PN6047 is a small molecule that selectively targets the delta opioid...
