Company News

Cytos expects asthma data in Q2 2014

Country
Switzerland

Cytos Biotechnology Ltd of Switzerland said that top-line data from a Phase 2b clinical study of its lead product for allergic asthma should be available during the second quarter of 2014. The trial is taking place in eight countries.

The Medicines Company acquires ProFibrix

Country
United States

The Medicines Company of the US has completed the acquisition of ProFibrix BV following the successful completion of a Phase 3 trial of the Dutch company’s hospital product – a sealant to stop bleeding during and after surgery.

GW Pharmaceuticals targets the US

Country
United Kingdom

With a successful initial public offering on the Nasdaq market behind it, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc is recruiting patients for two pivotal studies that will examine the efficacy of its cannabis medicine, Sativex, as a treatment for cancer pain.

Sanofi starts trial of C. difficile vaccine

Country
France

Sanofi Pasteur has started a Phase 3 trial of a new vaccine for the prevention of Clostridium difficile infection, a potentially life-threatening bacterium that causes intestinal disease. The trial will enrol up to 15,000 adults in 17 countries.

Pharming gives Ruconest update

Country
Netherlands

Pharming Group NV said that it expects the US Food and Drug Administration to complete its review, or otherwise respond, to its biologics licence application for Ruconest (recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor) by 16 April 2014.

Sanofi forecasts decline in EPS

Country
France

Sanofi SA is forecasting a 7% to 10% decline in earnings per share this year at constant exchange rates as the expirations of patents on key products continue to weigh on results and provisions are made against inventory write-offs in Brazil.

AstraZeneca highlights strategic progress; comments on China

Country
United Kingdom

AstraZeneca Plc said that its five therapeutic and geographical priorities showed growth in the second quarter, even as the financial outlook for the group as a whole will be negatively affected  by the loss of exclusivity on key products.

Actelion to acquire Ceptaris Therapeutics

Country
Switzerland

Actelion Ltd is set to acquire Ceptaris Therapeutics Inc of the US pending Food and Drug Administration approval of that company’s product for mycosis fungoides, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The upfront payment is $25 million.

Nicox gives portfolio update

Country
France

Nicox SA is preparing to launch four, as yet undisclosed, eye care products in the first quarter of 2014 marking a transition to ophthalmology from its previous focus on osteoarthritis. The update was issued with the company’s first-half results.