News

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. 

Ireland-based Shire Plc achieved a 4% increase in revenue in the third quarter of 2015. But a 17% rise in expenses to $1,199 million caused operating profit to decline by 20.3% to $456 million on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

France-based TxCell SA plans to outsource the manufacture of its experimental cell therapies, and make new investments in process development to increase efficiencies and make way for the introduction of a second technology platform using engineered regulatory T cells.

A new treatment for melanoma, which is based on a genetically engineered virus, has received a positive opinion from the European Medicine Agency – the first step towards marketing authorisation in Europe.

Symphogen A/S has reached agreement with its investors on a €67.5 million convertible debt facility that will help finance the clinical development of an antibody drug candidate for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The funds will also support development of two preclinical cancer compounds. 

 A new therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult-to-treat diseases, has  been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The combination therapy has been approved for patients who have previously received gemcitabine.