Researchers at Harvard University have reported the discovery of a hormone, betatrophin, that appears to control the proliferation of beta cells, which are essential in the storage and release of insulin in the human body.
A rare genetic mutation that confers a high risk for osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related traits has been reported by investigators in Iceland. The finding, which was reported on 5 May in Nature, relates to a nonsense mutation of the gene LGR4.
Tocilizumab (Actemra/Roche) has been shown to be superior to adalimumab (Humira/Abbott) in a head-to-head Phase 4 study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to an article in The Lancet on 4 May 2013. The article appeared earlier on-line.
Tissue Regenix Plc of the UK said that a trial of its skin graft in patients with chronic leg ulcers healed wounds in more than half of the patients tested. The trial results are being presented this week at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care in the US.
Lundbeck A/S has confirmed that revenue and earnings this year will be broadly in line with those in 2012, excluding the cost of restructuring. The impact of generic competition is expected to be offset by new product sales and divestitures.
MorphySys AG increased its revenue by 44% to €16.9 million in the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to a license payment from the purchaser of its AbD Serotec service business. The German company swung into a profit after a year-earlier loss.
GW Pharmaceuticals Plc, which has developed a cannabinoid-based product for treating spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, has priced an initial public offering of its shares at $8.90 per American Depositary Share. The shares will trade on NASDAQ.
Shire Plc has announced a reorganisation of its marketing and research activities following the recent appointment of a new chief executive, Flemming Ornskov. Dr Ornskov joined Shire at the start of the year and officially became chief executive in April.
Symphogen A/S of Denmark has raised an additional €41 million from private investors towards the development of its portfolio of compounds in oncology which are antibody mixture products addressing multiple targets in a single product.
Sanofi continued to suffer from generic competition as sales declined 5.3% to €8.1 billion in the first quarter and operating income plunged by 33.5% to €1.5 billion. Business net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, fell by 33.5% to €1.61 billion.