The safety benefit of Pfizer's COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex compared to non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is affirmed in a draft report from the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality on osteoarthritis treatments

Hanmi partner Athenex has had a US complete response letter for its oral paclitaxel plus encequidar product for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, amid concerns of safety risks associated with an increase in neutropenia-related sequelae. While the decision marks another setback for Hanmi in the US, Athenex is aiming to resolve the issues.

Chordia only came into being in late 2017 but has already struck its first major licensing-out deal with a major pharma firm. It is now looking ahead to taking forward a portfolio of novel oncology assets originally acquired from investor Takeda.