Novartis says long-time chairman Daniel Vasella has decided to leave the Swiss drug maker and its board has chosen former COO and current Bayer healthcare division head Jorg Reinhardt to replace him.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals has reported promising initial data from its first Phase III study of its electrical current-driven DNA plasmid-based immunotherapy, VGX-3100, in virus-associated cervical dysplasia; it is heading a small group of companies evaluating novel therapies in the condition, which often advances to cancer.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.