Author: Kevin Grogan

Lundbeck has announced plans to initiate three late-stage studies for the alcohol dependence drug nalmefene.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is giving Exelixis a $195 million upfront payment to get access to two of the latter firm’s promising oncology compounds.

Elan Corp is to shed 114 jobs, or 7% of its workforce, as part of what the Ireland-based group calls a “realignment” to direct more cash into its “innovative pipeline”.

Having announced plans to set up a scientific advisory service to guide drugmakers in making their regulatory submissions, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is now looking to help other countries in setting out their own guidelines.

Less than a week after issuing an uninspiring earnings guidance for 2009, Merck & Co has made observers sit up again after it unveiled plans to creating a $1.5 billion division, Merck BioVentures, which will develop both follow-on and novel biologics.