Major European stakeholders have released statements on how to fight antimicrobial resistance more effectively. Regulatory agencies such as EFSA and EMA call for locally adapted combination strategies while biotech companies advocate for more support in antibiotics R&D.
Belgian ViroVet NV, which develops vaccines and antiviral drug for livestock, has named George Gunn as the newest member of its board of directors. Until early 2015, Gunn was CEO of Novartis Animal Health and a member of the global executive committee of Novartis.
Dutch gene therapy specialist uniQure Biopharma BV will be able to rapidly develop its haemophilia B gene therapy AMT-060. Based on data of a Phase I/II safety study, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for the new way to substitute the heritable lack of blood clotting factor IX.
Belgian-headquartered IBA Molecular has completed the acquisition of British Mallinckrodts nuclear imaging business summing up to approximately US$690m.
German Christian democrats have started the election year underpinning their intention to pump money into life science research and into its translation into products.
Like every sector of the UK economy, life sciences has been beset with uncertainty since the country voted to leave the European Union. Last week prime minister Theresa May finally gave us some clarity on her plans for Brexit, which will allow us to prepare for the future.
Following a month-long take-over poker, J&Js and Actelions boards have agreed to support an all-cash tender offer from J&J in which shareholders are set to receive US$280.08 per share and one share of NewCo, an R&D spin out to be led by Actelion CEO Paul Clozel. J&J will acquire at least 67% of Actelions shares and will hold 16% of NewCo with an option to further 16%.
German 4SC AGs epigenetic cancer drug resminostat is back. What seemed to be a flop after Phase II failure has being transformed into a success story of personalised medicine. By accurate data analysis 4SCs partner Yakult Honsha identified a subgroup in which the drug significantly improved outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The surprising election of Donald Trump as the next US President led to a spectacular comeback of biotech shares. The long-term prospects depend on Trumps healthcare strategy and the (much-desired) return of generalist funds.
Oxford-based Intrexion-subsidiary Oxitec plans to release male GM mosquitoes that produce nonviable offspring in India, in order to limit the spread of dengue and chikungunya fevers transmitted by Aedes aegyptii.