It was too good to be true. Following harsh criticism from industry, the European Patent Office (EPO) drafted a widely applauded proposal to allow exemptions to its Early Certainty Initiative in Examination. One month later, the EPO withdrew UDEC following a recommendation from Business Europe – the only business association sitting next to decision-makers in the EPO’s Administrative Council – not to bring UDEC into force in July.
Epigenetic biomarkers predict immunotherapy success
Latest NewsUK biotech Oxford BioDynamics has presented data showing that the company’s blood test can predict patient response to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1.
User-driven early certainty: EPO steps back
BackgroundIt was too good to be true. Following harsh criticism from industry, the European Patent Office (EPO) drafted a widely applauded proposal to allow exemptions to its Early Certainty Initiative in Examination. One month later, the EPO withdrew UDEC following a recommendation from Business Europe – the only business association sitting next to decision-makers in the EPO’s Administrative Council – not to bring UDEC into force in July.
Urovant launches US$150m IPO
Latest NewsSwiss biopharma company Urovant Sciences has launched its IPO on Nasdaq, seeking US$150m. The proceeds will go to Phase III trials for its overactive bladder treatment candidate vibegron.
Skilful asset swapping in the time of big data
OpinionIndependent investment analyst, Managing Director EQUI.TS GmbH_ Big data analytics is poised to change the way business is done in the life sciences. A string of recent M&A transactions illustrate this trend.
Immunooncology: Genmab teams up with Immatics
Latest NewsDanish Genmab and German Immatics Biotechnologies are collaborating to discover and develop next-generation bispecific immunotherapies to develop therapeutics in multiple cancer indications.
Big Data: Tracking cancer risk genes
Latest NewsUsing only openly available genomic data, researchers in Barcelona have developed a new method to systematically identify genes contributing to heritable cancer risk.
Lifecare floats on Oslo stock exchange
Latest NewsNorwegian diabetes expert Lifecare AS has gone public on the Oslo stock exchange. The sensor maker plans to fund the next phase of development for its implantable glucose sensor.
Abingworth closes new biotech fund at €268m
Latest NewsBioscience investment firm Abingworth has closed its latest fund at US$315m (€268m). The money will go to life sciences companies in Europe and the US.
€47m for rare disease biotech
Latest NewsAfter €7m went to Nextbiotix last week, another financing round is bringing money to a young French biotech. Strasbourg-based Dynacure attracted €47m from investors to bring its lead candidate for centronuclear myopathy into clinical development.
A match made in Scandinavia
BackgroundTwo listed Scandinavian biotech companies are about to merge into one. Medical Prognosis Institute A/S (Nasdaq First North Stockholm) in Denmark and Oncology Venture Sweden AB (Aktie Torget) in Sweden aim to create what they call a one-stop-shop for personalised cancer treatments.