News

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has announced that its investigational immunotherapy for melanoma that targets the MAGE-A3 antigen, did not meet its first co-primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study of patients with the disease.

AstraZeneca Plc has enrolled the first patient in a Phase 3 development programme for olaparib in patients with ovarian cancer. Olaparib was discontinued in this indication in 2011 but is now being re-started in patients with BRCA-mutated disease.

Acacia Pharma Ltd has raised £15 million in a Series B financing from a group led by Fidelity Biosciences and Novo A/S in order to complete Phase 3 development of one cancer supportive care product, and advance development of two others.

Kymab Ltd has announced a change in top management as it prepares to broaden its commercial strategy to include the development of its proprietary antibody drug portfolio in addition to licensing access to its in vivo antibody technology platform.

The Biotechnology Value Fund (BVF) LP of the US and affiliates have invested €30 million via a share placement in Evotec AG and taken out an option to buy a further stake from an existing shareholder, which could raise the holding to more than 18%.

AstraZeneca Plc said that its biologics arm, MedImmune, has reached agreement to acquire privately-held Amplimmune of Maryland, US in a move that will strengthen its portfolio of immune-mediated cancer therapies.

Amgen Inc has reach agreement to take over Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc for $10.4 billion in cash thereby strengthening its oncology portfolio and acquiring a marketed product for multiple myeloma. The agreement was announced on Sunday.

 A Phase 3 study of vercirnon, an investigational drug for patients with Crohn’s disease, has failed to meet its primary endpoint of improvement in clinical response, and a secondary endpoint of clinical remission, GlaxoSmithKline Plc said.

Bavarian Nordic A/S, the Danish vaccine developer, reported a 25% increase in revenue to DKK 556 million (€74.5 million) in the first-half year as a result of continuing US sales of its smallpox vaccine, Imvamune, and recognition of previous deliveries.

Ablynx NV, which makes antibody fragments for itself and others, reported a 22.3% decline in revenue in the first half year to £12.9 million. However, its operating loss contracted by 24% to €10.9 million, mainly as result of lower research expenses.