After the record-breaking year of 2015, biotech stock markets exercised more caution in 2016. However, according to a new report, this represents a “healthy reset” rather than a new crisis. 

Roche is expanding its indications in cancer immunotherapy. Following FDA approvals of its PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab in NSCLC and bladder cancer patients refractive to platinum-based chemotherapy, the Swiss pharma major is awaiting a FDA decision on whether the antibody is suitable as first-line treatment in a further subpopulation of bladder cancer patients.

Constitutive activation of the mechano-sensor and transcription factor Yes-associated protein (YAP) is key to metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of triple-negative breast cancer, researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research, London, report.

Malte Peters will leave Sandoz to take over as Chief Development Officer of Morphosys AG. Peters succeeds Arndt Schottelius, who held the position for eight yeara.

Neuronal hypersensitivity specialist NeRRe Therapeutics has closed an oversubscribed Series B financing round led by Fountain Healthcare Partners.

Novozymes company Albumedix A/S has appointed Giles Campion new Chief Medical Officer. Campion will be in charge of leading the development efforts of the Danish leader in albumin-based drug delivery. 

Milan-based Newron Pharmaceuticals has named Dennis Dionne Vice President Commercial Affairs. Previously, Dionne was Executive Director for Commercial Operations. He replaces Anders Haegerstrand.

The Innovative Medicines Initiative is pushing clinical development of a novel compound against Gram-negative bugs that cause urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections. Backed by IMI, Aicuris is launching a clinical programme for an antibiotic.

The London-based immunotherapy specialist Tiziana Life Sciences bagged the license for the human anti-interleukin 6 receptor antagonist NI-1201 from Swiss Novimmune.

French Sanofi is set to become a global market leader in the non-prescription market by acquiring Boehringer Ingelheim’s consumer healthcare (CHC) business in exchange for Sanofi’s animal health arm Merial.