The US has opened the floodgates to cheaper versions of biologic medicines, and analysts predict that by 2020, biosimilar protein meds could seize a significant share of a projected €390bn market. That’s good news for national health services and insurers, which stand to save billions in payouts. As expensive biologics begin to go off-patent, competitors with knockoffs are planning their onslaughts. But for biosimilars to have a future, both physicians and patients have to be sold on the idea – and many of them remain uninformed and unconvinced. The field is at a crucial juncture.
Neurological disorder specialist
AppointmentsUwe Meya is taking over as Chief Medical Officer at Barcelona-based orphan drug developer Minoryx Therapeutics. Meya will advance the clinical development of Minoryx’ lead candidate MIN-102 for adrenoleukodystrophy.
Out of this world: UK tech in space
Latest NewsWhen NASA blasted off to the International Space Station on Monday morning, it had UK tech on board. A miniature DNA sequencer from Oxford Nanopore will be used to keep an eye on the ISS atmosphere – and may even analyse alien DNA one day.
Moving on up
AppointmentsIn July, British research service provider Envigo appointed Adrian Hardy as President and CEO. Hardy will also join Envigo’s Board of Directors.
Cell Medica picks up antibody tech
Latest NewsCell Medica has acquired Swiss antibody specialist Delenex Therapeutics. The deal nets the British cellular therapeutics developer Delenex’ proprietory antibody fragment platform Pentrabody.
Biosimilars: A crippling lack of information
BackgroundThe US has opened the floodgates to cheaper versions of biologic medicines, and analysts predict that by 2020, biosimilar protein meds could seize a significant share of a projected €390bn market. That’s good news for national health services and insurers, which stand to save billions in payouts. As expensive biologics begin to go off-patent, competitors with knockoffs are planning their onslaughts. But for biosimilars to have a future, both physicians and patients have to be sold on the idea – and many of them remain uninformed and unconvinced. The field is at a crucial juncture.
Themis bags vaccine license
Latest NewsVienna-based vaccine specialist Themis Bioscience GmbH has secured broad access to a promising virus vaccine vector tech by extending its license agreement with French Institut Pasteur. Its goal: to develop a Zika vaccine.
Eppendorf BioBLU® f Single-Use Vessels for microbiology
ProductsThe BioBLU 0.3f and BioBLU 1f Single-use Vessels allow microbial process development at the highest level.
Founder relief
AppointmentsUS-Dutch medical device company EndoStim, developer of neurostimulation therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease, has named Rohan Hoare as president and CEO. He succeeds founder Bevil Hogg, who will continue to serve the company as a consultant.
Medivation opens books to Sanofi
Latest NewsCalifornian biopharma Medivation has agreed to confidential negotiations with its suitors, in particular the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, which aggressively has buffeted the cancer therapy specialist for months.
Kymab: Old into new
AppointmentsAntibody veteran David Chiswell, Interim CEO and Chair of Cambridge-based antibody developer Kymab, is taking over at the company’s helm for good. Kymab’s new old CEO is stepping down from his role as Chairman, however.