Reliance GeneMedix Plc, which is part of the Reliance Life Sciences Group in India, has withdrawn a marketing authorisation application for erythropoietin from the European Medicines Agency. It cited its inability to supply additional data.
Merck & Co has reached agreement to acquire the US speciality pharmaceutical company, Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc, for $430 million. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
Evolva Holding SA of Switzerland, which specialises in synthetic biology, has announced plans to acquire the US venture-capital backed Abunda Nutrition Inc in an all-share transaction valued at approximately CHF 40.5 million (€31.3 million).
The AstraZeneca Plc unit, MedImmune, has entered into a three-year collaboration with the technology transfer arm of France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) to research disease and potential drug candidates.
MDxHealth SA, the Belgian molecular diagnostics company, is intending to raise at least €6 million with a private placement of its shares managed jointly by Kempen & Co and Nomura Code Securities.
Qiagen NV, the Netherlands-based diagnostic group, has made a bid equivalent to $355 million to acquire Cellestis Ltd of Australia and its ‘pre-molecular’ technology for detecting diseases early.
Algeta ASA and Genzyme Corp (Sanofi-Aventis) have announced plans to jointly explore the use of the Norwegian company’s radiopharmaceutical platform to enhance the ability of a Genzyme monoclonal antibody to target and kill cancer.
Acacia Pharma Ltd, which specialises in drugs for cancer supportive care, has raised $10 million in a Series A financing round supported by the new investor, Lundbeckfond Ventures. Gilde Healthcare also participated in the round.
Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA has reached a licensing agreement with Merck Serono to investigate the potential of two Merck clinical-stage compounds for disorders of the central nervous system. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
A Phase-3 study of motesanib, a small molecule antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, failed to meet its primary endpoint of improving the overall survival for patients with advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the sponsor said.