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.
Super deal for BioNTech – BMS licenses potential blockbuster for €10bn
Latest NewsIn 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 bioeconomy gets scale-up boost
Latest NewsScotland’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.
Scientists uncover target to stop colitis-induced colorectal cancer
Latest NewsGerman 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.
EU set to improve investment for biotech start-ups and scale-ups
Latest NewsThe European Commission has promised to create a new public-private fund to bridge the ‘valley of death’ phase for technology companies facing expansion. In addition, the EU wants to reduce its lag in the number of technology unicorns compared to the United States and China with a start-up and scale-up strategy.
Norwegian Mycelium AS bags €1.25m to scale mycoprotein production
Latest NewsFoodtech startup Norwegian Mycelium A/S has raised €1.25m in a financing round led by Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Nitten), Japan’s largest beet sugar producer, to scale-up its mycoprotein platform.
Vetter Once Again Named Best Managed Company
Sponsored PublicationsThe award jury recognizes strategic and sustainable corporate management.
Reproducible nanopore sequencing to be commercialised from 2026
Latest NewsFor nearly two decades, Roche AG has been searching for a next-generation sequencing method in personalised medicine to overcome the limitations of short read lengths in existing sequencing technologies. Following beta testing, the company plans to launch its new Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology commercially next year.
Unlocking the treasure trove
BackgroundThe Hamburg-based company Indivumed has repositioned itself, sending a clear message with a recent change in leadership: A new chapter is beginning with the focus on discovering and developing novel therapeutic targets for innovative cancer therapies. |transkript spoke with Prof. Dr. Hartmut Juhl and Dr. Matthias Evers.
C4X Discovery bags milestone for IL-17A blocker from Sanofi
Latest NewsC4X Discovery Holdings Ltd has received a €8m milestone payment from the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi for its preclinical IL-17A inhibitor. This payment is based on a licence agreement from 2021, under which the British company could receive up to €414m, including royalties.
New way to target mitochondrial diseases
Latest NewsPharmacologists at the University of Göttingen, Germany, have reported a simple way to target and silence individual mitochondrial mRNAs in vivo.