Elias Zerhouni, M.D., Head of Global Research and Development will retire from Sanofi on June 30th, 2018, after more than 9 years of distinguished service with the company. He will be succeeded in the post by John C. Reed, M.D. Ph.D. who has been appointed Head of Global Research & Development, as of July 1st, 2018.  

Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Newcastle have identified a previously unknown target for the breast cancer drug palbociclib, which can be used to identify treatment responders. 

Poor aseptic practices can rapidly ruin market supply of products outsourced for production. This year, Celltrion came under fire from FDA inspectors. At the end of January, the producer received a warning letter affecting the production of Inflectra biosimilar infliximab-dyyb (CT- P13) co-marketed with Pfizer. In mid-February, the FDA added a warning concerning rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars produced for Teva, as well as for its fast-track migraine mAb fremanezumab.

International collaboration is needed to secure living of the growing world population without collapse of the planet’s resources, biodiversity and climate. A communique published at the end of the Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS) outlines policy measures needed to create a biobased economy for all.

Swiss researchers have created a biomedical tattoo that becomes visible on the skin of mice in response to elevated levels of calcium in the blood. 

The German biotech industry has shown tremendous growth in 2017. According to figures of BIOCOM, turnover, employees or number of start-ups – many key figures for 2017 exceeded those of the record year 2016. 

French Servier boosts its cancer drug portfolio acquiring Shire plc’s oncology pipeline, which earned about US$260m last year, for US$2.4bn in cash. 

Shortly before the Global Bioeconomy Summit (19.-20.4.2018) in Berlin will begin, Germany’s new Research Minister Anja Karliczek announced three major initiatives to strengthen the biologisation of the industry and the foundation of innovative biotechs.

Canopy Growth Corp. is growing its medical cannabis business in Europe with the acquisition of Czech market leader Annabis Medical sro.