Clinical trials, drug launches, approvals likely to be hit by coronavirus - William Blair

UroGen Pharma

16/03/2020 12:21

** Although the coronavirus currently appears to have
limited impact on biotechs, disruptions in the U.S. clinical
trials, drug launches, and FDA timeline delays could be on the
books, says William Blair
    ** Brokerage says as hospitals focus on infected patients,
temporary disruptions could occur in enrollment and execution of
resource-intensive clinical trials 
    ** Sees impact on trials run at limited clinical sites
especially in areas with high virus-exposure levels, as well as
studies testing drugs in elderly individuals, who are at a high
risk of being infected
    ** Adds that marketing efforts for newly launched drugs
could be affected due to restrictions on unnecessary visitors to
hospitals, particularly pharmaceutical representatives and
vendors
    ** Potential impact on newly launched cancer therapies would
be less likely, as physicians stay updated on new approvals,
says brokerage
    ** Near-term FDA approvals not expected to be affected due
to FDA postponing foreign inspections and official agency
travel; brokerage sees impact on reviews and meetings for drugs
at early stages of development, companies awaiting advisory
committee meetings, or planned application submissions 
    ** FDA's ability to stick to approval timelines important
for many companies; brokerage also highlights upcoming approvals
for Bristol Myers'  BMY.N  multiple sclerosis and cancer
therapies 
    ** William Blair says outbreak will not have a lasting
impact on the industry, and that recent market pullback has
generated attractive valuations

 (Reporting by Saumya Sibi Joseph in Bengaluru)
 ((saumya.joseph@thomsonreuters.com))