Company News

The European Medicines Agency’s main scientific committee has issued a positive opinion for a new GlaxoSmithKline Plc medicine to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Eli Lilly and Company said that its antibody therapy, ramucirumab, has improved overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer in a global Phase 3 trial. Ramucirumab inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2.

Novartis said that an experimental drug for advanced basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, met its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 study. The treatment, LDE225, is a molecule that regulates the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Venture-capital backed Novimmune SA of Switzerland has secured CHF 60 million ($66 million) in new capital, its largest financing round in five years. The monies will be used to advance its pipeline of clinical-stage monoclonal antibodies.

Cellectis SA has reached an agreement with privately-owned Laboratoires Servier to develop and commercialise allogeneic T cell therapies for cancer. Under the agreement Servier will make an upfront payment of $10 million, and up to $140 million for each of six new products.

Novartis has become the latest company to invest in experimental treatments for cancer that target immune checkpoint proteins on T cells. It is doing this with the acquisition of CoStim Pharmaceuticals Inc of Boston. Financial details weren’t disclosed.

Actavis Plc, an Irish-American generic producer, has made an agreed bid to buy Forest Laboratories Inc, a specialty pharmaceutical company, for about $25 billion, comprising 70.9% in stock and 29.1% in cash.

Shire Plc reported a double-digit increase in operating income in 2013, reflecting the efforts of new management to simplify the company’s structure and increase its focus on rare diseases. In early 2014 Shire acquired ViroPharma Inc, a rare-disease specialist.

Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) SA of France has raised €41 million in additional equity financing from existing and new shareholders in order to support its geographical expansion and the clinical development of its portfolio of radiopharmaceuticals.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Vimizim from BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc to treat a rare congenital enzyme disorder that can lead to problems with bone development, growth and mobility.