News

Carmat SAS has raised €15.5 million in an initial public offering on the Alternext section of the NYSE-Euronext exchange in Paris to continue development of an artificial heart for patients with heart failure.

A group of international scientists has identified three monoclonal antibodies, the strongest of which neutralises more than 90% of the circulating strains of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The findings were reported in the journal Science.

The European Medicines Agency has announced a review of rosiglitazone-containing medicines for diabetes following new safety data. The review will decide whether or not the marketing authorisations of the drugs should be revoked, suspended or changed.

Evotec starts Phase 2 depression study

The Lyon-based company, Poxel SA, has raised €16 million in a Series A round, enabling it to advance the Phase 2 programme for its lead compound against Type 2 diabetes. The round was led by Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners.

The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development has reached an agreement with the Geneva-based Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) under which it will grant royalty-free rights to DNDi to develop drugs against neglected diseases.

The European Medicines Agency has issued a second warning about supply problems for the Genzyme Corp drug, Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta), for Fabry disease. It is recommending that, where possible, an alternative treatment be used.

AstraZeneca Plc and the technology transfer arm of the UK Medical Research Council have reached an agreement to share their respective compound libraries in order to increase the prospect of finding new treatments for serious diseases.

Eli Lilly announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the privately-held US biotechnology company, Alnara Pharmaceuticals Inc which is developing protein therapeutics for metabolic diseases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Genmab A/S have altered their co-development agreement for ofatumumab (Arzerra) with the result that GSK will develop the antibody for autoimmune indications. The companies will continue their collaboration in cancer.