The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has issued positive opinions for three new medicines and restrictions on the use of two. In addition, a new contraindication is being recommended for Merck’s Brinavess (vernakalant).
Scientists based in the UK and Canada have reported identifying a new oncogene that may play a role in up to a third of the more aggressive oestrogen positive breast cancers. It is the first new breast cancer oncogene to be reported in about five years.
Three Dutch organisations are allocating more than €3 million to a project that will develop a method for culturing stem cells for transplants in leukaemia patients. The study will also develop imaging technology to monitor these treatments.
Cytos Biotechnology AG, the Swiss developer of therapeutic vaccines, said that it reduced its cash burn in 2010 but it will need to raise further financing in the future in order to repay outstanding convertible bonds.
The European Medicines Agency has issued new advice on the procedures that companies should follow in developing stem cell products. The advice is contained in a paper on the agency’s website, www.ema.europa.eu. (EMA/CAT/571134/2009).
Philogen SpA has withdrawn its proposed initial public offer of shares on the Milan Stock Exchange following the unexpected termination of a licensing and development contract by Bayer Schering Pharma AG, according to Philogen.
Sanofi-Aventis SA has won the agreement of Genzyme Corp’s management to acquire the US company for $74 per share in cash, plus special milestone payments if certain product goals are met. The offer is an increase from $69 per share.
E-Therapeutics Plc, which is a service company and a drug developer, is proposing to raise £17.6 million gross through a primary share offering arranged by Panmure Gordon, which is also overseeing a £3.4 million secondary offering of E-Therapeutics shares.
The non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture and Jomaa Pharma GmbH of Germany have entered into an agreement to co-develop fosmidomycin as a component of a non-artemisinin based combination therapy for acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Sinclair Pharma Plc and IS Pharma Plc, two specialist pharmaceutical companies listed in London, intend to merge through an exchange of shares, subject to certain conditions.