Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Industry criticises EPO plans

European life sciences industry associations have voiced concerns over the latest addition to the European Patent Office’s ambitious Early Certainty Initiative. While cutting the time for determining patentability to six months from filing, and streamlining the duration of the opposition procedure from 26 down to 15 months have been widely applauded, they warn that plans for a one-size-fits-all plan that limits examination time to 12 months will harm the life sciences sector. 

Selvita to cash in €90m in Menarini deal

Polish drug developer Selvita has out-licenced its first lead compound to Berlin-Chemie Menarini, a company of the Menarini Group. Ongoing clinical trails with SEL 24 will be conducted the company listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange and taken over later this year by Menarini.  

EU nations go on blocking GM crops

The EU’s opt-out clause for GM cultivation has missed its goal to accelerate EU market approval of safety-assessed genetically modified crops whilst giving member states the option to opt out from cultivation for political reasons.

FDA approves Merck’s avelumab in MCC

Good news for EMD Serono, the US arm of German Merck: It’s PD-L1 blocker avelumab is the first drug that received FDA approval to treat the rare skin cancer Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). 

BIO-Europe Spring: Southern growth ambitions

With around 2,500 attendees, Barcelona hosted the most successful BIO Europe Spring conference in the history of the EBD’s partnering event. Southern Europe demonstrated its growth ambitions in the life sciences.

Pulmocide raises £25m in Series B round

British inhaled anti-infectives specialist Pulmocide has bagged US$30.4m (€28.8m) from new and existing investors to bring its anti-RSV and anti-aspergillosis compounds into clinical testing.

Investors purchase Imegen

The investment groups Q-Growth Fund and Biolty purchased the majority of the Valencian biotechnology company Institute of Genomic Medicine (Imegen) for €10m.