Danish Genmab A/S’ anti-CD38 antibody daratumumab has met the endpoint of progression-free survival in an interim analysis of Genmab’s pivotal Phase III study aimed at receiving FDA approval as first-line therapy in multiple myeloma. 

Merck Ventures has joined the Series A investor syndicate of the British immuno-oncology specialist Macrophage Pharma Ltd.

Scientists at Swedish Karolinska Institute have identified a factor that supports growth of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, the nerve cells that degenerate during of Parkinson’s disease.

Evotec’s immunology spin-out Topas Therapeutics has inked a multi-year R&D collaboration with pharma major Eli Lilly. The initial focus of research, which will be financed by Eli Lilly, is on identification of  antigens that specifically induce a T regulatory cell response in inflammatory and auto-immune disorders.

Swedish specialty pharmaceutical company Pharmalink AB Stockholm has Fredrik Johansson as new Chief Financial Officer.

Medivir AB has exclusively licenced Greater China development and commercialisation rights of its preclinical candidate drug MIV-802 to Chinese drug developer Ascletis Bioscience Co. Ltd.

Belgian, Swiss, and US researchers have found a new way to boost efficacy in cancer immunotherapy. In mid-April, they reported that cancer cells actively block tumour infiltration of cytotoxic T cells, but that this process can be reversed using angiogenesis blockers. Some Big pharma companies have already jumped on the bandwagon of angiogenesis/PDL1 combination therapy.

Using a national supercomputer, Swedish researchers have analysed how protein expression of the 315 known cancer genes translates into cancer overall survival. 

Finnish Metsä Group has started its mill for bio-based products. The €1.2bn investment’s production capacity is 1.3 million tonnes of softwood pulp a year.

UK-headquartered immunodiagnostics specialist Oxford Immunotec Global plc’s  share value slipped by $1.31 to $16.02 after the company raised US-$40.125m on Monday in an public offering of 2.5 million ordinary shares at Nasdaq underwritten by BTIG LLC.