A research consortium, led by investigators at St George’s, University of London, has reported discovering a new gene, the fourth in a series, to be associated with lymphoedema, a swelling that arises from an impaired lymphatic system.
A novel immune mechanism that could play a role in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases has been described in the journal Science. The finding was made by a team led by Eric Vivier, scientific co-founder of Innate Pharma SA of France.
James Murdoch has decided to stand down from the board of directors of GlaxoSmithKline Plc at the company’s annual general meeting on 3 May 2012, GSK announced. Mr Murdoch is one of 12 non-executive directors of company.
Two papers in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry have highlighted technology developed by scientists at Heptares Therapeutics Ltd aimed at generating new leads for drugs that target the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family of proteins.
Novartis expects to see a squeeze on margins this year as prices fall for drugs that have recently lost patent protection and more money is invested in new product development. This follows a particularly difficult fourth quarter during which operating income was hit by product cancellations and the suspension of production at a manufacturing site in the US.
Amgen Inc has agreed to pay $1.16 billion in cash to acquire Micromet Inc, a developer of bispecific antibodies. Micromet’s key asset is blinatumomab, an antibody in early clinical development against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Celgene Corp said it has reached agreement to acquire venture-capital backed Avila Therapeutics Inc for $350 million in cash, plus milestones, thereby strengthening its position in the area of haematologic cancers.
BTG Plc, the specialist UK healthcare company, said it expects revenue for the financial year ending 31 March 2012 to be between £160 million to £165 million, or in line with a forecast delivered at the end of its first half year.
A UK start-up, CN Creative Ltd, which has developed an electronic smoking cessation device, has raised £2 million in a Series A round led by Advent Life Sciences. The money will support final development of its novel inhaler product.
The Roche group has stepped up its commitment to personalised medicine with the announcement of a hostile $5.7 billion bid for Illumina Inc of the US, a leading provider of molecular diagnostics. The all-cash offer values each share at $44.50.