The NHS England announces it will reimburse Novartis’ CAR-T cell therapy Kymriah as treatment for children with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that are refractory, in relapse post-transplant or in second or later relapse. 

Arix Bioscience, a healthcare and life science company, today announces planned changes to its executive team to prepare for its next phase of growth and development. Dr Joe Anderson, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Arix since its inception in 2016, will transition to Chief Investment Officer. He will continue to Chair the Investment Committee and as of today, September 4 2018, will step down from the Board of Arix. Executive Chairman of Arix, Jonathan Peacock, will assume corporate and operating responsibilities and, working closely with the Board of Arix, will lead the process of recruiting a Chief Executive Officer.

Exosome drug delivery specialist Evox Therapeutics Ltd has closed a €37.1m (£35.5m) Series B financing round led by Redmile Group and significant contributions from GV (Google Ventures) and Cowen Healthcare Investments.

EuropaBio today confirmed the appointment of Joanna Dupont-Inglis as its new Secretary General.
Commenting on this promotion, EuropaBio chair, Tjerk de Ruiter, said Joanna has an excellent track record of leadership and engagement in this sector. Her experience will be valuable in working together with an increasingly broad community of stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of biotech can be accessed in Europe”.

The EU approved Sanofi’s Cablivi (caplacizumab) as the first antibody therapeutic to treat acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) on Friday. 

An FDA-approved cancer drug stops light sensitivity of the skin in Cockayne syndrome (CS), an ultra-rare hereditary disease characterised by premature aging, German researchers report.

Germany’s government announced that it will create an agency for breakthrough ("jump") innovation to foster technology transfer of risky research projects with high market potential into products.

Urovant Sciences has licensed the global commercialisation rights for Ion Channel Innovations‘ gene therapy hMaxi-K for patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms who have failed oral pharmacologic therapy.  

Roche today announced that Roland Diggelmann, CEO Diagnostics Division and member of the Corporate Executive Committee, will be leaving Roche to pursue his career outside of the company effective 30 September 2018. Until a successor is named, Michael Heuer, currently Region Head Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America for Roche Diagnostics will assume the ad interim leadership of Roche’s Diagnostics Division and become a member of the Corporate Executive Committee.

Congenica today announced the appointment of Mrs Wendy Britten as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective 1st September, 2018. Mrs Britten will have overall control and responsibility for all financial aspects of the business and will play a key role in business development and fundraising activities.