Company News

GlaxoSmithKline Plc plans to realise annual cost savings of at least £1 billion by 2016 through the introduction of new technology for manufacturing and research and development and by furthe

The Roche Group said its candidate antibody for haematological cancers, obinutuzumab, met its primary endpoint in the first stage of a Phase 3 trial and will now move on to be compared directly with MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), the standard of care for leukaemias and lymphomas.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has taken control of its publicly-listed consumer healthcare subsidiary in India in a transaction valued at about £568 million. As a consequence, it now owns 72.5% of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd, up from 43.2% previously.

Novo Nordisk A/S has raised its target for operating margin as sales of its diabetes products continue to show robust growth led by its modern insulins and Victoza, the company’s GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes. The new operating margin target is 40%, up from 35% previously.

AstraZeneca Plc is looking to strengthen its presence in biologics and to rebuild its oncology portfolio as it seeks to reignite growth after a period of patent expirations that have caused sharp declines in both revenue and operating profit.

Roche has announced a 4% rise in sales in 2012 based on the strong performance of its oncology portfolio which featured the launch of Perjeta (pertuzumab), a new drug for breast cancer. The company expects to maintain this sales momentum in 2013.

Ark Therapeutics Group Plc has appointed WG Partners LLP to explore a number of strategic options including the possible sale of the company. This follows the company’s failure to raise additional funding for the business.

4-Antibody AG of Switzerland and its research partner, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, have entered into a collaboration with Recepta Biopharma SA of Brazil to develop three antibody products for cancer.

The management of large pharmaceutical companies often struggle in deciding which products to bring forward into the expensive final stage of development. However, two venture capital companies have developed a way of ‘underwriting’ so that pharma can have more choices.

Bone Therapeutics SA of Belgium has raised €7.7 million from existing private and institutional investors and the Walloon regional government to advance the clinical development of its lead cell therapy product for bone disease.