Oxford BioMedica Plc is about to extend its cash runway thanks to a decision by its pharmaceutical partner, Sanofi SA, to in-license two gene-based ophthalmology products. The decision enabled the company to ask its institutional investors for more support. And they have responded with a commitment to provide £11 million for additional working capital.
Venture-capital backed Prosonix Ltd has entered into a research agreement with Imperial College London to accelerate development of technology that is intended to improve the delivery of respiratory medicines. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca Plc are set to strengthen their diabetes franchise through a staged deal in which BMS will acquire Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc and thereafter exploit Amylin’s portfolio with AstraZeneca
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has again extended its $13 per share cash offer for Human Genome Sciences Inc- this time to a date after management will have completed a review of other strategic options. GSK’s offer to shareholders is now set to expire on 20 July.
Oxford BioMedica Plc has announced plans to raise up to £16 million in a combined private share placement and open offer. The proceeds will be used to continue development of its gene therapy technology, particularly in the area of ophthalmology.
NicOx SA, which has shifted its strategy to focus on ophthalmology, is to in-license point-of-care diagnostics from Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc. The agreement, financial terms of which were not disclosed, was announced on 21 June 2012.
Venture capital-backed Heptares Therapeutics Ltd has extended a research collaboration with the UK Medical Research Council that is looking at the structure of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and other transmembrane proteins.
Bavarian Nordic A/S has received another vaccine contract from the US government, this time to develop candidate vaccine components and technologies for a combined smallpox and Marburg virus vaccine using the company’s vector technology.
Proximagen Group Plc, a 2003 spin-out of King’s College London with an early-stage portfolio of treatments for central nervous system disorders, is to be acquired for up to £356.8 by Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc of the US.
Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA of Italy is to acquire NeuroNova AB, a privately-owned Swedish company that specialises in neurogenesis and which has early-stage compounds for Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).