Vifor CEO Stefan Schulze tells Scrip that an expanded deal with Korsuva developer Cara Therapeutics means the US biotech will not have to invest in a commercial organization as the Swiss firm will mobilize its well-established sales force to launch the treatment for dialysis patients with CKD-associated pruritus.

The European Medicine Agency has recommended extending the therapeutic indication of a raft of drugs that are already authorized in the EU.

Sandoz Canada is continuing to expand its biosimilars footprint with entry into oncology, while also broadening its presence for autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

Augmenix is the privately-held developer of SpaceOAR, an injected hydrogel spacer that is indicated for reducing collateral damage from radiation treatment for prostate cancer. It addresses a market worth about $750m, with total sales expected to reach $90m in 2019.