A new radiopharmaceutical developed by Algeta ASA of Norway to treat men with prostate cancer that has spread to the bones has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The product (radium-223) is an alpha-emitting nuclide.
Evotec AG has confirmed that revenue this year should grow to between €90 million and €100 million on the basis of expected new contracts, milestone payments and the extension of existing contracts. Revenue in 2012 was €87.3 million.
Cardio3 BioSciences SA, which has an autologous cell therapy for patients with chronic heart failure in the clinic, has raised €19 million in a private placement with existing investors to finance the clinical development of its lead product.
Researchers at Harvard University have reported the discovery of a hormone, betatrophin, that appears to control the proliferation of beta cells, which are essential in the storage and release of insulin in the human body.
A rare genetic mutation that confers a high risk for osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related traits has been reported by investigators in Iceland. The finding, which was reported on 5 May in Nature, relates to a nonsense mutation of the gene LGR4.
Tocilizumab (Actemra/Roche) has been shown to be superior to adalimumab (Humira/Abbott) in a head-to-head Phase 4 study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to an article in The Lancet on 4 May 2013. The article appeared earlier on-line.
The European Medicines Agency has announced plans to change its structure from August in order to respond to public demands for more pharmaceutical data and to give stronger support to industry in the research and development of new drugs.
Tissue Regenix Plc of the UK said that a trial of its skin graft in patients with chronic leg ulcers healed wounds in more than half of the patients tested. The trial results are being presented this week at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care in the US.
Lundbeck A/S has confirmed that revenue and earnings this year will be broadly in line with those in 2012, excluding the cost of restructuring. The impact of generic competition is expected to be offset by new product sales and divestitures.
MorphySys AG increased its revenue by 44% to €16.9 million in the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to a license payment from the purchaser of its AbD Serotec service business. The German company swung into a profit after a year-earlier loss.