Gilead has announced that it has entered into a 10-year global research and development collaboration with Galapagos. Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will gain access to no fewer than six molecules currently in clinical trials, more than 20 preclinical programs and a drug discovery platform. Galapagos will receive a $3.95 billion upfront payment and a $1.1 billion equity investment from Gilead. Galapagos will use the proceeds to expand and accelerate its research and development programs. Gilead will receive an exclusive product license and option rights to develop and commercialize all current and future programs in all countries outside Europe. Learn More

Amgen, Novartis and Banner Alzheimer's Institute have discontinued two pivotal Phase 2/3 trials in the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative Generation Program after tests showed some patient's cognitive functions had declined. The sponsors concluded that the potential benefits for participants did not outweigh the potential risks. The decision comes as another disappointment in the area of Alzheimer's research. The drug, CNP520, was being assessed for safety and efficacy in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's in people at high risk of developing the disease. Learn More

A recently published study in The BMJ by officials from Germany's Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare (IQWiG) finds there is no evidence of added benefit for more than half of the drugs the institute assessed from 2011-2017. For the study, the authors looked at the outcomes of the 216 benefit assessments IQWiG conducted from 2011-2017. More than half (125/216, 58%) of IQWiG's assessments found no evidence of added benefit for the drug compared to the standard of care. A quarter (54/216, 25%) of the assessments found there was major or considerable added benefit and one-sixth (35/216, 16%) of the assessments determined there was only minor or non-quantifiable added benefit. Learn More