A novel study that will look at the relative efficacy of two marketed rheumatoid arthritis drugs has been initiated by UCB SA. The post-marketing study will compare UCB’s Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) with Abbott’s Humira (adalimumab).
The European Medicines Agency has announced the start of a safety review of aliskiren-containing medicines following a decision by Novartis, the developer, to stop a Phase 3 study of the drug in a new indication.
Sanofi SA has agreed to pay up to €180 million to privately-held Scil Technology GmbH for exclusive rights to the German company’s preclinical programme for cartilage regeneration. The programme is based on the rhCD-RAP protein.
AstraZeneca Plc has struck deals with companies operating in China and Japan giving it access to novel compounds in the therapeutic areas of oncology and diabetes. The separate deals involve preclinical and clinical assets.
Paion AG has announced significant staff cuts and a reduction in the compensation of its executive team in order extend the company’s cash runway and secure more time to reach a partnering agreement for its sedative, remimazolam.
AstraZeneca Plc has stopped development of olaparib for ovarian cancer on efficacy grounds. It has also announced the second trial failure of a new compound, TC-5214, for patients with major depressive disorder.
Novartis has stopped a Phase-3 trial of the renin inhibitor, aliskiren, in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment because of safety problems and evidence the drug wasn’t effective. Aliskiren was being studied in 8,606 patients globally.
Just back in Europe from the American Society of Hematology meeting in San Diego California, executives of Genmab A/S expressed optimism about the commercial prospects of the monoclonal antibody, daratumumab, which is being developed to treat multiple myeloma.
ArGEN-X BV of the Netherlands has been awarded €1.3 million from a regional Belgian agency to support development of its preclinical antibody portfolio. This follows funding of €27.5 million from a recent Series B venture capital round.
Ipsen SA of France is to invest $45 million in an expansion of its R&D facilities in Milford, Massachusetts and relocate its US headquarters from California to New Jersey. This corresponds with an expansion of the French company’s US business.