Staphylococcus aureus F98Y DHFR complexed with iclaprim © http://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/entry/pdb/3FR

Motif Bio has initiated a NDA rolling submission for iclaprim, a Gram-positive-targeted investigational antibiotic for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in high-risk MRSA (Methicillin-resistant S. aureus) patients. 

Shire's antibody prevents formation of bradykinin by binding kallikrein. © British Society of Immunology

Japanese drug giant Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has confirmed its intention to make a bid for orphan drug leader and neurology specialist Shire plc. The take-over offer has to be made until 25 April.

Model of Factor VIII. © 3d ribbon/surface model of the human factor VIII after PDB 3CDZ. Ref.: Ngo JC, Huang M, Roth DA, Furie BC, Furie B (April 2008). DOI:10.1016/j.str.2008.03.001.

Roche’s US arm Genentech has confirmed a total of 5 deaths in adult patients who were dosed with its 
to-be hemophilia blockbuster emicizumab (Hemlibra), a BITE antibody that mimics the effect of Factor VIII which lack patients with hemophilia A.

Visitors at at the World Bio Market conference in Amsterdam. © BIOCOM

More than 400 experts came together at the World Bio Market Conference in Amsterdam to discuss the challenges of successfully implementing bio-based business strategies.

Structure of the IL6R protein. Based on PyMOL rendering of PDB 1n26 (© https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1N26)

Belgian nanobody maker Ablynx’ IL-6 receptor blocker vobarilizumab didn’t met the primary endpoint of  dose response at 24 weeks in a Phase II study enroling 312 patients with severe, active seropositive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

© Morphosys AG

Antibody specialist MorphoSys AG has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed Nasdaq offering of American Depositary Shares (ADS)

A.baumannii. © CDC

French antibiotics player Deinove has inked a licence option agreement with Redx Pharma plc concerning a new class of synthetic preclinical topoisomerase blockers to treat infections caused by Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens.

The German Bioeconomy Council said policymakers would risk Germany’s leadership in bioeconomy if they don’t capitalise on new technology options resulting from the ongoing merger of digital and bio-technologies. 

Image of fundus showing scatter laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy, © National Eye Institute, NIH

VEGF blocker Eylea (aflibercept), which is co-developed for eye diseases by Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron under a deal signed in 2006, has met the 24-week primary endpoint of the pivotal Panorama Phase III trial.

H. Lundbeck A/S has announced it will acquire Dutch Prexton Therapeutics B.V., a one-programme company developing the allosteric metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4) modulator foliglurax (PXT002331) in Parkinson’s Disease.