Medherant: Chair for the clinic

University of Warwick spin-out Medherant Ltd has appointed Ken Cunningham as its chair right in time for the company’s move into the clinical development of its novel transdermal drug delivery patch technology. Cunningham is already Chairman of Abzena as well as Non-Executive Director of Verona Pharma plc. 
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Biotech investor plans IPO in London

British life science investor Arix Biosciences is planning an IPO at London Stock Exchange. The London-based investor aims to raise £100m (€116m) to reinvest in innovations in medical science.
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Prize awarded to innovative products

In early February, at the 20th edition of the Pharmapack Europe event, outstanding products were honoured with the Pharmapack Award. Organiser UBM EMEA also introduced a new Pharmapack Start-up Hub.
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Applied Photophysics: Risen through the ranks

Applied Photophysics, a provider of systems for the biophysical characterisation of biomolecules, has appointed Louise Madden as Chief Executive Officer. She joined Applied Photophysics in March 2014 as commercial director, before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2015.

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Molecule prevents oedema

French researchers have identified a regulator which controls blood vessel permeability. Their findings open up the possibility to develop drugs preventing oedema that occur in large indications such as stroke or congestive heart failure. 

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Santhera: The doctor takes charge

Developer of treatments for neuromuscular and neuro-ophthalmological diseases Santhera Pharmaceuticals has hired Kristina Sjöblom Nygren as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development.

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Fighting AMR efficiently

Major European stakeholders have released statements on how to fight antimicrobial resistance more effectively. Regulatory agencies such as EFSA and EMA call for locally adapted combination strategies while biotech companies advocate for more support in antibiotics R&D.
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Virovet: Veterinarian comes on board

Belgian ViroVet NV, which develops vaccines and antiviral drug for livestock, has named George Gunn as the newest member of its board of directors. Until early 2015, Gunn was CEO of Novartis Animal Health and a member of the global executive committee of Novartis. 
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uniQure gets FDA breakthrough status for AMT-060

Dutch gene therapy specialist uniQure Biopharma BV will be able to rapidly develop its haemophilia B gene therapy AMT-060. Based on data of a Phase I/II safety study, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for the new way to substitute the heritable lack of blood clotting factor IX. 

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IBAM completes US$690m deal

Belgian-headquartered IBA Molecular has completed the acquisition of British Mallinckrodt’s nuclear imaging business summing up to approximately US$690m.

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