Under pressure to accelerate the development of novel compounds, three of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have announced deals valued at up to $700 million – deals that could potentially result in new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and two rare, genetic heart diseases.
Antibiotic drug development has received a boost with the decision by a syndicate of Scottish investors to support MGB Biopharma Ltd, which has an agent to treat Gram-positive infections in development. The drug is set to enter the clinic in the first half of 2015.
MorphoSys AG has received grant funding for up to €1 million from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to support development of antibodies against two undisclosed G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) . The two-year grant will cover the cost of early drug development.
Nicox SA has continued its expansion into ophthalmology with agreements to acquire the French eye-care company Laboratoires Doliage and a development-stage asset for viral conjunctivitis from Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH of Austria.
Real world data from an experimental vaccine for birch pollen allergy, AllerT, have shown statistically significant reductions in seasonal allergy symptoms, as well as an effect into a second pollen season, according to the developer, Anergis SA.
Merck KGaA of Germany has decided to discontinue the clinical development of the immunotherapy tecemotide in non-small cell lung cancer following the failure of a Japanese study to show effectiveness on any trial endpoint.
Eli Lilly and Company said the results of a Phase 3 study of its antibody treatment Cyramza (ramucirumab), which has already been approved for advanced gastric cancer, met its primary endpoint of overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Data from two Phase 3 studies of the antibody mepolizumab in severe asthma have shown statistically significant reductions in asthma exacerbations and a reduction in the need for daily oral corticosteroid use, according to the developer, GlaxoSmithKline Plc.
Shares of Affimed Therapeutics AG of Germany began trading on the Nasdaq over-the-counter market in the US on 12 September following an initial public offering of eight million new shares. Priced at $7 per share, the shares were trading at $5.98 on 15 September.
AM-Pharma BV of the Netherlands has raised €12.2 million for the further clinical development of its recombinant human alkaline phosphatase product for acute kidney injury and ulcerative colitis – its second major fundraising in three years