Anergis SA of Switzerland said that a Phase 2b study of its lead vaccine for birch pollen allergy met the primary endpoint of reducing a symptom and medication score at the lower of two doses. Notably this was shown in a real-life, as opposed to a laboratory setting.
The Debiopharm Group of Switzerland has become the latest company to respond to the global call for new antibiotics with the announcement of an agreement with TCG Lifesciences Ltd to develop treatments for drug-resistant hospital-acquired infections.
Prosensa Holding NV of the Netherlands has started a trial of its fourth antisense oligonucleotide drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder that causes a progressive loss of muscle strength in patients.
The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication for Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) to treat patients with late-stage pancreatic cancer.
Novartis has expanded its presence in the field of cell therapy with the signing of a research collaboration with Regenerex LLC to investigate applications of the US company’s haematopoietic stem cell-based platform.
ThromboGenics NV is set explore a new target for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases following the signing of an exclusive licensing deal with venture capital-backed Bicycle Therapeutics of the UK. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd has reached an agreement to acquire Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, which has an oncology portfolio as well as fragment-based drug discovery technology. The deal is valued at $866 million.
Apitope International BV has issued an update on its immunotherapy for multiple sclerosis which is being developed with Merck Serono. A second Phase 1 trial met its safety and tolerability endpoint and showed a significant decrease in new lesions.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has announced that its investigational immunotherapy for melanoma that targets the MAGE-A3 antigen, did not meet its first co-primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study of patients with the disease.
AstraZeneca Plc has enrolled the first patient in a Phase 3 development programme for olaparib in patients with ovarian cancer. Olaparib was discontinued in this indication in 2011 but is now being re-started in patients with BRCA-mutated disease.