News

Ark Therapeutics gives Cerepro update

Country
United Kingdom

Ark Therapeutics Group Plc has issued the first update of the results of a Phase 3 trial of its gene therapy, Cerepro. The product is currently under review at the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of operable malignant glioma.

Active Biotech announces details of rights issue

Country
Sweden

Active Biotech AB, a Swedish biotech company with five drug projects under clinical development, has announced details of its SEK 256 million (€23.8 million) rights issue scheduled for completion on 10 June 2009.

French regulator approves Ipsen’s muscle relaxant

Country
France

The French regulator, Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé (Afssaps), has become the fourth European authority to approve the sale of a muscle relaxant developed for aesthetic use. The product is manufactured by Ipsen SA.

Intercell vaccine approved by the FDA

Country
Austria

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Intercell AG’s vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis, paving the way for the product’s launch on the US market in the second quarter of 2009. Intercell announced the approval on 30 March 2009.

European Commission proposes a unified patent litigation system

Country
Belgium

Reform of the patent system in Europe is once more on the political agenda. On 24 March 2009, the European Commission set in motion a procedure that will give it authority to negotiate the creation of a unified patent litigation system for the European Union.

Evotec retrenches and looks for partners

Country
Germany

Evotec AG, which develops small-molecule therapies for central nervous system diseases and inflammation, is undertaking “significant” cost reductions and looking for partners for more of the products it is developing.

SkyePharma presents positive outlook

Country
United Kingdom

SkyePharma Plc, which develops technologies for delivering drugs, essentially broke even in 2008 before exceptional items and expects to be well off in the future provided its pending US application for an asthma drug is approved, the UK company’s directors said in their annual report and during a meeting with analysts on 26 March 2009.