Elan Corp reaps the benefits of reorganisation
Elan Corporation Plc has started to reap the benefits of a multi-year reorganisation which has transformed it from a diversified, but indebted enterprise into a leaner company specializing in neurology.
News
Addex regains rights to preclinical asset from Merck & Co
Addex Pharmaceuticals Ltd has taken back rights to a preclinical asset that had been licensed to Merck & Co for schizophrenia. At the same time, it is progressing a second partnership with Merck for a candidate drug for Parkinson’s disease.
GSK gives breakdown of R&D spending
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has confirmed its goal of delivering a 14% return on its investment in research and development and for the first time, has provided a breakdown of spending on these activities in the first half of 2011.
GSK raises dividend; sees recovery in 2012
GlaxoSmithKline Plc is raising its quarterly dividend by 7% and forecasting an improvement in its profit margin in 2012 following a multi-year restructuring programme and a rebalancing of its sales profile.
E-Therapeutics to test ‘repositioned’ drugs in clinic
After raising £16.6 million net of expenses in March, E-Therapeutics Plc is preparing to bring three drug candidates into the clinic in 2012, and to advance a fourth to a Phase 2b study. The update was issued with the company’s annual results on 25 July.
Pharming raises €3.2 million in private placement
Pharming Group NV of the Netherlands has raised €3.2 million in a private placement of its shares with US specialist investors, extending its cash runway into the second quarter of 2012. The company’s lead product is a treatment for angioedema.
EMA agrees to recall of Vimpat
The European Medicines Agency has agreed to a recall of Vimpat (lacosamide), a medicine used to treat epilepsy because of a quality defect in some batches. No adverse reactions have been reported. The developer, UCB SA, proposed the recall.
EMA recommends new HCV drug
The European Medicines Agency is recommending approval of a new medicine for chronic hepatitis C in adults, Incivo (telaprevir). The developer is Janssen Pharmaceutical and the drug was approved by the FDA in May.
EMA recommends warning for pioglitazone
The European Medicines Agency is recommending that pioglitazone-containing medicines for diabetes, including Actos, carry a warning of a small increased risk of bladder cancer. However it said the benefit-risk of the drugs remains positive.
BMS to acquire Amira Pharmaceuticals
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company has announced plans to acquire privately-held Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc of San Diego, California, paying $325 million upfront, in order to expand its portfolio into potential treatments for fibrotic diseases.