AstraZeneca Plc continued to build its pipeline of new medicines in the third quarter and first nine-months in preparation for a period of renewed growth. Revenue for the nine months was $18.3 billion, unchanged from a year earlier at constant exchange rates, but down by 2% at $5.9 billion for the third quarter.
Shire Plc has announced an agreed takeover of Massachusetts-based Dyax Corp for $5.9 billion upfront while saying that it still has the resources to pursue an unsolicited all-share bid for Baxalta, a recent spin-out of Baxter International.
Infirst Healthcare Ltd, which improves and repackages existing retail drugs, has obtained further funding from its principal investor, Invesco Asset Management Ltd, in order to launch its cold and pain relief products on the UK retail market.
Sanofi SA has scheduled a briefing for 6 November to discuss the group’s mid-term strategic and financial outlook following an unexpectedly large decline in sales of diabetes medicines, its most important business unit.
Ireland-based Allergan Plc has confirmed that it has been approached by Pfizer Inc regarding a potential merger, and that preliminary friendly discussions are underway. The talks come 18 months after Pfizer abandoned an unsolicited bid for AstraZeneca Plc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, a pioneer in the field of cystic fibrosis, has turned to gene editing technology to help it advance its portfolio of drugs that target gene-based diseases.
Germany-based Curetis BV has announced the terms of an initial public offering of its shares on the Euronext exchanges in Amsterdam and Brussels which aims to raise €29.3 million for the commercialisation of its molecular diagnostic system for serious infectious diseases.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has confirmed that earnings should start to grow again in 2016 after a period of strong pressure on the company’s respiratory franchise, and declines in sales of the off-patent medicine Advair.
Circassia Pharmaceuticals Plc continued to build revenue in the third quarter following the acquisition in the summer of asthma diagnostics and therapeutics companies, a move that also gives it a commercial platform from which to launch its future allergy products.
Novartis reported a decline in net income in the third quarter and for the first nine months due to provisions for the conditional settlement of a lawsuit in the US and the impact of a one-time financial gain the previous year.