14M Genomics Ltd of the UK, which is a portfolio company of Syncona Partners LLP, is to collaborate with the UK Haematological Malignancy Research Network to improve diagnostic and clinical care pathways for patients with blood and lymphatic cancers.
Switzerland-based GlycoVaxyn AG, a specialist vaccine developer, has been sold by its venture capital investors to GlaxoSmithKline Plc in a deal that values the company at $212 million. The company’s investors include Sofinnova Partners, Index Ventures and Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners.
Belgium-based Biocartis NV has joined the growing number of companies developing diagnostics for the early detection of infection by the Ebola virus. The company is developing the test in association with Janssen Diagnostics whose pharmaceutical affiliate is working on a vaccine for the disease.
A widely prescribed monoclonal antibody for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, Lucentis (ranibizumab), has been approved in the US for a new indication – diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular oedema.
Sanofi SA expects that earnings per share this year will be stable to slightly higher against a background of change affecting its diabetes portfolio. The company’s new insulin glargine Toujeo is under regulatory review with a decision expected in the US in the first quarter.
2014 was a year of growth for AstraZeneca Plc as the company restocked its late-stage portfolio and invested in collaborations that will strengthen its core therapeutic areas of cardiovascular and metabolic medicines, respiratory drugs and oncology. Revenue was up by 3% on a currency adjusted basis. But 2015 is expected to be tougher as generic competition emerges in the US for Nexium, the proton pump inhibitor that was a pillar of the company’s sales for many years.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc finished 2014 with turnover and operating profit broadly lower compared with a year earlier on the back of a drop in respiratory medicine sales in the US. Global vaccine and consumer healthcare sales also declined.
Ascendis Pharma A/S of Denmark has issued 6.9 million shares in the United States at $18 per share, generating net proceeds of $111.5 million. In early trading on 3 February 2015 the shares traded at $19.08 on the Nasdaq, representing a 6.0% premium.
AstraZeneca Plc is to work with four research institutes in the UK and the US to apply a genome editing technology known as CRISPR across its drug discovery platform. The collaborations are expected to yield new drug targets in preclinical models of disease.
Canada-based EnGene Inc, which has developed a gene-based technology to treat autoimmune diseases, has raised $11.5 million in a Series B investment round. The funds will be used to advance the lead product which is intended to treat ulcerative colitis.