News of Note—Novartis, Roche, Bristol-Myers nab new cancer approvals, and more

Here's some other news of note for the week:

> In a loss for branded drugmakers, California's Supreme Court ruled that Novartis can be sued for injuries allegedly caused by generics from other companies. Reuters article

Roche's Perjeta and Herceptin, plus chemo, won a combo FDA approval in early breast cancer—part of the company's bid to expand Perjeta's reach ahead of Herceptin biosimilars. Release

> The FDA approved Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo as a post-surgery treatment for melanoma patients whose cancer has spread at least as far as the lymph nodes. Release

> England's NICE recommended Novartis' Extavia to treat certain multiple sclerosis patients, but spurned Teva's Copaxone, Biogen's Avonex and Plegridy, Merck KGaA's Rebif and Bayer's Betaseron. Appraisal document (PDF)

> Merck KGaA and Pfizer's Bavencio won an FDA breakthrough therapy designation for combo therapy with Pfizer's Inlyta in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Release

> Boehringer Ingelheim settled with all 50 states for $13.5 million over allegations of off-label and deceptive marketing. Hartford Courant article

> Pfizer's Bosulif picked up an FDA nod to treat adults with newly diagnosed chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. Release

> Novartis' combo of Tafinlar and Mekinist won the FDA's priority review designation as an adjuvant treatment for patients with stage III melanoma with the BRAF V600E or V600K mutations following a complete resection. Release