AstraZeneca Plc has signalled its interest in antisense technology with the recent announcement of a new strategic alliance with Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc in oncology. The main asset is an inhibitor of the STAT3 protein which is overexpressed in numerous cancers.
Switzerland-based Biocartis SA has raised €34.5 million in a Series D round to commercialise a molecular diagnostics platform that is aimed at the life science research market. The round was led by the Flemish investment company, PMV NV.
Sofinnova Partners has raised €240 million for its seventh venture capital fund which will support entrepreneurs who are developing new biopharmaceutical technologies, medical devices and industrial biotechnology products.
Venture-capital backed Bicycle Therapeutics Ltd has secured Astellas Venture Management as a new investor as part of a tranched equity financing that will bring it £3.75 million in new money to support a move from research into drug discovery.
Genome-based drug discovery received a lift on Monday with the announcement that Amgen Inc has agreed to pay $415 million in cash for DeCODE Genetics of Iceland, long considered to be a leader in population-based studies of human disease.
The management of Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A has overcome the opposition of a key shareholder and reached an agreement to acquire privately-held NeuroNova AB of Sweden in an all-share deal valued at €15.5 million.
Smith & Nephew Plc of the UK has moved to strengthen its position in wound care with the acquisition for $782 million in cash of most of the assets of privately-held Healthpoint Biotherapeutics of Fort Worth, Texas, US. The acquisition was announced on 28 November 2012.
Sanofi SA has entered a collaboration with Selecta Biosciences Inc in the US to develop immunotherapies for up to three different allergies.
MorphoSys AG has negotiated rights to exclusively license new peptide technology from privately-owned Lanthio Pharma BV in the Netherlands. MorphoSys will also make an equity investment in Lanthio as part of a Series A round. Figures weren’t disclosed.
Ablynx NV of Belgium and Algeta ASA of Norway have announced plans to investigate synergies between their technologies to find out whether there is scope to develop new therapies for cancer.