Galapagos NV and AbbVie Inc have reached an agreement to co-develop small molecule drugs to treat cystic fibrosis. The goal is to identify compounds that can correct defects and/or restore the activity to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein.
Ablynx NV has secured a licensing deal with AbbVie Inc for its antibody-derived therapeutic protein ALX-0061 to treat inflammatory diseases. The product targets the interleukin-6 receptor and is in Phase 2 for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has entered into a four-year contract with an arm of the US government to supply the monoclonal anti-toxin, raxibacumab, for stockpiling against a potential bioterrorist attack. The contract has a value of about $196 million.
MorphoSys AG has raised €84 million in a private placement of shares that received strong support from international investors. The company said the issue, which was priced at €55.76 per share, was heavily oversubscribed. The new shares will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Affimed Therapeutics AG has announced plans to advance a bispecific antibody into a Phase 2 trial in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma with co-funding from the US Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The society will invest up to $4.4 million over two years in the project.
Evotec AG, the Hamburg-based drug discovery and development company, has once again joined forces with scientists at Harvard University – this time to identify compounds that could prevent or slow down the loss of motor neurons in disease.
AstraZeneca Plc has moved to further strengthen its position in ovarian cancer with an agreement to in-license a kinase inhibitor from Merck & Co Inc that is currently being evaluated as a combination therapy in patients with certain types of the disease.
The Debiopharm Group of Switzerland has become the latest company to respond to the global call for new antibiotics with the announcement of an agreement with TCG Lifesciences Ltd to develop treatments for drug-resistant hospital-acquired infections.
Novartis has expanded its presence in the field of cell therapy with the signing of a research collaboration with Regenerex LLC to investigate applications of the US company’s haematopoietic stem cell-based platform.
ThromboGenics NV is set explore a new target for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases following the signing of an exclusive licensing deal with venture capital-backed Bicycle Therapeutics of the UK. Financial terms were not disclosed.