09.09.2016 – iBionexts healthcare VC fund iBionext Growth has announced a first closing of €46m. All in all, iBionext aims to take in around €100m to reinvest in biotech and medtech companies.
07.09.2016 – Furniture giant Ikea and renewables expert Neste have joined forces to deliver bio-based plastics based on Neste’s bio-based polymer. The partners urge other companies to join the initiative.
06.09.2016 – DBVs needle-free patch technology is being put to the test in a a proof of concept trial for a pertussis vaccine developed by BioNet-Asia. Researchers from the Geneva University Hospital are supervising the study.
05.09.2016 – Why do people grow old? Italian researchers took a close look at centenarians and found that low levels of the peptide hormone Adrenomedullin may significantly contribute towards good microcirculation and thus longevity.
01.09.2016 – The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are still largely unknown. But now, an antibody developed by the University of Zurich has significantly reduced the brain amyloid plaques typical for Alzheimers Disease in a Phase Ib clinical trial.
30.08.2016 – Swiss biopharma company Ferring has acquired the exclusive development and commercialisation rights to Seikagakus Phase III chemonucleolytic leg pain treatment for €85m.
Adocia said it would discontinue its diabetic foot ulcer programme after its lead product BioChaperone PDGF disappointed in Phase III. The French company will turn the focus on its earlier-stage products.
24.08.2016 – Pharma major Pfizer is putting the cherry on top of its multi-billion-dollar takeover of Medivation with the acquisition of AstraZenecas antibiotics for a cool US$1.5bn. With the divestment, AZ aims to further sharpen its focus.
23.08.2016 – Cambridge University-allied investor Cambridge Innovation Capital has raised £75m (€87m) to reinvest in technology and healthcare companies. Among the backers were Woodford Investment and Winton Ventures.
19.08.2016 – Together with partner Johnson & Johnson, Danish biotech Genmab is now one step closer to FDA approval with its combination treatment for multiple myeloma after its submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application. In July, Genmab was granted a Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for its blood cancer therapy.