Roche is set to strengthen its breast cancer franchise with the acquisition of privately-held Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc of San Diego, California. Seragon has new technology for treating estrogen-driven cancers.
Nicox SA of France is acquiring Boston, Massachusetts-based Aciex Therapeutics Inc with new shares valued at $65 million and contingent value rights potentially worth $55 million. The acquisition will significantly expand the company’s ophthalmic portfolio.
Ablynx NV has raised €41.7 million in a private share placement to support development of its portfolio of therapeutic proteins, including products targeting immune checkpoint proteins. Called Nanobodies, the company’s compounds are derived from natural antibodies in the llama.
A Dutch company specialising in drug delivery has raised €10 million in a Series C financing round to advance its early-stage portfolio of treatments for brain tumours and neuroinflammatory conditions. The company is called to-BBB technologies BV.
The German antibody company, Affimed Therapeutics AG, is proposing to launch an initial public offering of its shares in the US, taking advantage of the favourable climate for biopharmaceutical companies which are developing immunotherapies for cancer.
ThromboGenics NV of Belgium has announced a decision to continue as a stand-alone company and pursue discussions over a potential partnership for its ophthalmic medicine Jetrea in the US. This follows a strategic review that included the option of selling the company.
Roche has announced plans to create a second start-up company with the venture capital firm Versant Ventures – this time focused on the development of potential small molecule drugs for patients with multiple sclerosis.
Marseille, France-based Innate Pharma SA has raised €50 million from a private share placement with institutional investors which will cover its cash needs until the end of 2017, a period during which it will progress five Phase 2 trials of its checkpoint inhibitor NKG2A.
ArGEN-X BV has launched its previously-announced initial public offering of shares on the Euronext exchange in Brussels for €40 million, an amount that may be increased to €46 million on demand. In addition, there is an over-allotment option.
GW Pharmaceuticals Plc, which develops and sells cannabinoid medicines, has arranged a $169.7 million offering of its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) in which six of the company’s eight directors sold ADSs valued at $43.4 million.