AstraZeneca has taken another step down the acquisition pathway, this time shelling out up to $500 million to acquire privately-held, US group Amplimmune.
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Chiesi delves into rare diseases with Zymenex buy
Italy’s Chiesi Farmaceutici has unveiled plans to acquire Zymenex Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
FDA grants priority review for Nexavar in thyroid cancer
Onyx and partner Bayer have moved closer to a third indication for Nexavar after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the drug a priority review in thyroid cancer.
Oxford BioMedica bags $1m milestone from Pfizer
UK gene-therapy group Oxford BioMedica has received a $1 million milestone payment from Pfizer triggered by the entry of PF-06263507, a 5T4-targeted investigational antibody therapy, into human clinical trials.
Roche drug treats dry form of AMD
Roche looks like it could have another candidate for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in its portfolio after positive results in a Phase II study.
Vical slashes staff in wake of vaccine setback
Vical has eliminated almost 40% of its total workforce to conserve cash after the failure of its Allovectin immunotherapy for advanced melanoma.
Amgen agrees $10.4bn deal for Onyx
Amgen has thrashed out an all-cash deal to buy cancer specialist Onyx for $10.4 billion which should close in the fourth quarter.
FDA sets aside cash for clinical data standards group
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making $2 million-worth of funding available for a project to develop data standards for studies of lipid-modifying drugs, and therapies for diabetes and hepatitis C.
GSK suffers blow on Crohn’s data
GlaxoSmithKline has suspended recruitment in a late-stage clinical programme assessing its investigational Crohn’s drug vercirnon, after the first batch of data failed to impress.
Over 46,500 patients to benefit from Cancer Drugs Fund, says RCF
More than 46,500 cancer patients are set to benefit from the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) over the policy’s lifetime, with over 16,500 benefitting during the current financial year alone, says the Rarer Cancers Foundation (RCF).
Rigel hit by asthma drug failure
Shares in Rigel took a downward turn after its experimental asthma drug failed to hit targets in a mid-stage trial.
Roche/Chugai’s bitopertin set for nearly $1.5B sales in 2022, say forecasts
Roche/Chugai’s glycine transporter-1 inhibitor bitopertin is poised to be the first approved treatment to adress negative symptoms in schizophrenia, following its forecast launch in the US and Europe in 2016 and in Japan in 2017, say new forecasts.
Shire extends rare disease pact with Santaris
Santaris Pharma will no doubt be celebrating Shire’s decision to extend their partnership for discovering drug targets for rare genetic diseases.
Icon offers risk-based monitoring service for trials
Irish contract research organisation (CRO) Icon has launched a new clinical trial monitoring service that promises to save sponsors time and money.
Psi looks towards Asia-Pacific with Indian office
Swiss contract research organisation Psi has set up a unit in Bangalore, India, to tap into the region’s emerging clinical research sector.
