© Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S has acquired Encycle Therapeutics Inc, including a peptide therapeutics platform and library.
 

© Daniela Beckmann

Antibiotic developers struggle with uncertain market conditions, weak reimbursement schemes and low turnover once a drug is approved. Experts are trying to figure out the best way to balance push and pull incentives. 

Localisation of FSP1 in green, cell nucleus in yellow, endoplasmic reticulum in magenta. © Rudolf Virchow Centre for Experimental Biomedicine University of Würzburg

German researchers have found a novel way to induce iron-induced necrosis, a process which they want to turn against cancer.

Dr. Michael Merz

Modern biotechnology creates next generation therapies and cures, delivers value to patients and the economy, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and generates higher crop yields with fewer resources. These critical activities and advances thrive only in an environment where biotechnology is supported by policies that maintain incentives for future innovation including the form of intellectual property rights while, at the same time, providing fair and equitable consumer access to innovative products. On both fronts, biotechnology enterprises face unprecedented challenges that, if not addressed, will slow the innovation engine. The consequent negative effects will be felt by all nations. Today, the biotechnology industry faces enormous challenges caused by deep public concern about pricing and access to medicines. The consequent political and public pressure is leading to rapid fire and poorly considered legislation. This, in turn, will likely result in an erosion of incentives to innovate, as it impacts return on investment and access to capital.

iOmx Therapeutics AG has named Apollon Papadimitriou as Chief Executive Officer.

Ebola virus. © EMA

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) recommended seven medicines for approval at its October 2019 meeting.

Formation of neuronal spines in neurons from wild type mice (left) and mice with mutations in the KCC2 transporter. © M. Watanabe et al., Science Signaling (2019)

A molecular transporter is critical for the proper maturation of neurons underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.

Jeremy M. Levin

There was unparalleled surprise in New York when a powerful alliance of UN-backed asset owners announced it will drive it’s portfolio companies to carbon neutrality by 2050. This could mean a fundamental change in capital markets.

© pixabay/Gerd Altmann

AI-driven drug repurposing company Healx Ltd (Cambridge, UK) raises US$56m in a Series B financing and launches global accelerator programme for orphan diseases.
 

Besides DONIMI, 4SC AG is conducting clinical testing of domatinostat in a range of indications. © 4SC AG

The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) has joined 4SC AG as a partner in conducting a multicentre study of dominatostat/checkpoint blocker combos in treatment-naive melanoma patients.