News

Belgium’s UCB SA said it that intends to streamline its medical research over the next three years in order to enhance its profitability and competitiveness. Details are to be announced by the end of the summer 2008.

York Pharma Plc, a specialist dermatology company, has completed its previously- announced £3.9 million share placement which is part of a larger fundraising to finance the purchase of two wound-care products from Belgium‘s Solvay Pharmaceuticals BV.

Shire Plc has revised upward its sales forecast for 2008 following a strong second quarter in which revenue rose by 35% on the back of robust demand for its five newest products. The company said revenue growth for the year is expected to be “at least” 20%. Previously, it had forecast growth in the mid to high teens.

Ark Therapeutics Group Plc said that a Phase 3 study of its gene therapy for brain cancer reached its primary endpoint. The multi-centre trial was undertaken at the request of the European Medicines Agency to confirm the safety and efficacy of the treatment, which is known as Cerepro.

GPC Biotech AG said that the European marketing authorisation application for its cancer drug, satraplatin, is being withdrawn following a review at the European Medicines Agency which indicated the drug is not approvable.

MorphoSys AG, which specialises in developing antibody-based drugs, reported that its half-year revenues rose by 16% to €33.3 million from the year-earlier period while its net profit tripled to €6.3 million from €2 million.

One of the UK’s most promising vaccine developers, Acambis Plc, has agreed to be acquired by Sanofi Pasteur Holding in an all-cash deal valued at £276 million.

Four days after announcing its first ever research agreement with the University of Cambridge in the UK, GlaxoSmithKline has disclosed a five-year collaboration with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in the US to discover new therapies based on stem cell science.

The main scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is recommending that two new medicines for use in surgical settings be granted marketing authorisations in Europe. But it has rejected an application for a new therapy  to treat an inherited disorder known as Friedreich’s Ataxia. In a third decision, it reversed an earlier negative opinion for an orphan drug for adults with acute myeloid leukaemia.

Roche said that it has agreed to pay C$191 million in cash for a Canadian biotechnology company, ARIUS Research Inc, which has developed a new antibody platform.