A novel approach to antibody development has received the backing of the global medical charity, the Wellcome Trust. Kymab Ltd of Cambridge UK has received £20 million in a Series A round to develop its technology platform.
The technology transfer arm of the UK Medical Research Council has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Genentech Inc for access to a series of small molecule drug candidates for neurological disease. Financial terms were not given.
Merck Serono’s new small molecule drug for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, which is an oral formulation of cladribine, has been approved for marketing in Russia, the first government agency to approve the oral disease-modifying therapy.
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.