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German immuno-oncology play BioNTech has entered into a collaboration with Roche’s Genentech to develop novel mRNA-based, individualised cancer vaccines. The deal will net BioNTech €278m.

© Valelopardo / Pixabay (CCO)

Prexton Therapeutics is taking aim at Phase II: The Swiss company happily presented results for its Phase I trial of its mGluR4 positive allosteric modulator in Parkinson’s Disease, saying the first-in-class compound proved to be safe and well tolerated.

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Six months ago, Andrew Witty, long-time CEO of Britains largest drug maker GlaxoSmithKline, announced he would retire in 2017. Now, GSK has named Emma Walmsley from inside the company as his successor.

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German molecular diagnostics specialist GNA Biosolutions GmbH has appointed Frank Krieg-Schneider as its Managing Director and CEO. Krieg-Schneider holds a PhD in molecular genetics from Mainz University and has spent his working life at Qiagen.

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Swedish Gyros Protein Technologies AB, which was formed in spring by merging nanoliter-scale immunoassay expert Gyros AB and peptide synthesis instrumentation and reagent provider Protein Technologies Inc., has a new chair. Frank Witney took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors in June.

Enzyme fermentation at Novozymes' pilot plant, in Bagsværd, Denmark © Novozymes

Denmark’s Novozymes has acquired microbial research company Organobalance GmbH. The German company owns a large collection of microbial strains, some of which date back to the 1920s, and has strong capabilities in microbial screening and assay technology.

AC Immune at the EPFL Innovation Park © AC Immune

14.09.2016 – The summer slump on the stock markets is over: AC Immune has confidently priced its long-awaited Nasdaq IPO. The Swiss Alzheimer’s specialist is expecting to raise up to US$68m (€60.5m) overseas.

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Galvani Bioelectronics, the developer of bioelectronic medicines launched by GlaxoSmithKline and Alphabet’s life science play Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) in early August, will have a bio­electronic visionary on board. Moncef Slaoui, who expedited GSK investments in the field of bioelectronics, will be the chairman of the new company’s Board of Directors.

© Geralt / Pixabay (CC0)

13.09.2016 – Diabetes major Sanofi is joining forces with Verily – formerly Google Life Sciences – to launch Onduo. The joint venture will develop a comprehensive diabetes management platform.

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French biopharma company Pharnext has appointed René Goedkoop as its new Chief Medical Officer. He joins the neurodegenerative disease specialist from Swiss Shogu Consulting SarL.