News

It is something of a truism to say that money follows success. It is less easy to say why some companies are more successful than others, and how their successes can be repeated.

Evolva Holding SA of Switzerland, which specialises in synthetic biology, has announced plans to acquire the US venture-capital backed Abunda Nutrition Inc in an all-share transaction valued at approximately CHF 40.5 million (€31.3 million).

The AstraZeneca Plc unit, MedImmune, has entered into a three-year collaboration with the technology transfer arm of France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) to research disease and potential drug candidates.

MDxHealth SA, the Belgian molecular diagnostics company, is intending to raise at least €6 million with a private placement of its shares managed jointly by Kempen & Co and Nomura Code Securities.

Qiagen NV, the Netherlands-based diagnostic group, has made a bid equivalent to $355 million to acquire Cellestis Ltd of Australia and its ‘pre-molecular’ technology for detecting diseases early.

Sanofi-Aventis SA said that its offer for Genzyme Corp has been accepted by shareholders representing 84.6% of the company’s common stock and approximately 77% of shares on a fully-diluted basis, giving the French company full control.

Algeta ASA and Genzyme Corp (Sanofi-Aventis) have announced plans to jointly explore the use of the Norwegian company’s radiopharmaceutical platform to enhance the ability of a Genzyme monoclonal antibody to target and kill cancer.

Patients who received tissue-engineered implants to correct for defects in their urethras reported normal functioning of their urethras for up to six years after surgery, according to an observational study in The Lancet.

Acacia Pharma Ltd, which specialises in drugs for cancer supportive care, has raised $10 million in a Series A financing round supported by the new investor, Lundbeckfond Ventures. Gilde Healthcare also participated in the round.

Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA has reached a licensing agreement with Merck Serono to investigate the potential of two Merck clinical-stage compounds for disorders of the central nervous system. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.