Author: Selina McKee

It’s been a busy time for pharmaceutical research and development group Argenta Discovery of late; the group has just announced two new alliances in the space of 24 hours.

Ark Therapeutics is splashing out 2.25 million euros to acquire Helsinki, Finland-headquartered Lymphatix Oy, in an all-share transaction designed to expand its VEGF-based programmes.

Cambridge-based Alizyme says it has completed patient recruitment in a late-stage trial of its ulcerative colitis agent Colal-Pred, and that headline results are now expected in June.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised a “groundbreaking” new screening programme for serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, which collectively affect the lives of 6.2 million people, cause 200,000 deaths each year, and account for 20% of all hospital admissions.

Early renegotiation of the current drug pricing system in the UK could leave the pharmaceutical industry short-changed, if the government’s plans to generate substantial savings from the NHS drugs budget go ahead.