France-based OSE Pharma SA, which is developing immunotherapies for cancer, is planning an initial public offering of its shares on the Euronext stock exchange in Paris. Proceeds from the offering would be used to finance a Phase 3 study of its lead product for non-small cell lung cancer.
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.
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
Alizé Pharma SAS has raised €5 million to finance further development of an analog of a metabolic hormone that has the potential to treat type-2 diabetes and a rare children’s disease called the Prader-Willi syndrome.
Genmab A/S is expanding its involvement in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with a new agreement to in-license technology from Seattle Genetics Inc. Under the latest deal, the Danish company will develop an ADC for potential use against solid tumours.
Biocartis NV, a Belgian developer of molecular diagnostics, has raised €64.5 million in equity finance to support the commercialisation of its Idylla diagnostic system.