Pharmaceutical associations have responded with sharp criticism to the adoption of the revised general pharmaceutical legislation by the EU Council of Ministers in the form of a directive and a regulation. They argue that the measures are not suitable for bringing Europe back to the forefront of pharmaceutical research and will make the EU an unattractive location for investment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Day 1 at Chemspec Europe 2025 opened with a dynamic programme that underscored the growing importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic foresight in the fine and speciality chemicals sector. From thought-provoking keynote sessions to in-depth technical discussions, the conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange and future-oriented dialogue among key players in the industry.
In the race to replace MSD’s mega blockbuster pembrolizumab with a more effective bispecific VEGF x PD-(L)1 antibody, German company BioNTech SE has struck a good deal. BioNTech is now developing its Phase III programme BNT327, acquired with the US$950m takeover of Chinese company Biotheus Co Ltd, with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in return for a payment of US$11.1bn.
Scotland’s biotechnology sector is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of the nation’s first open-access 300-litre fermenter – a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that will support early-stage companies to develop bio-based products at scale.
German researchers have identified a promising new target to stop the inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis—a breakthrough that could help prevent the progression to colorectal cancer. Phase II clinical trials of a corresponding monoclonal antibody, licensed by Roche, are expected to begin soon.