Philip Hammond, the UKS chancellor has announced the government will guarantee funding for EU-backed "structural and investment fund" projects whose timelines extend beyond the UKs departure from the EU, provided the projects are signed prior to this year’s Autumn Statement on the UK budget. The decision ensures continued funding for farmers, companies and institutions involved in the EUs Horizon 2020 project. The move could cost the UK government up to £6bn (€6.9bn).
Back in April, the American FDA gave the green light for the colorectal cancer-screening test Epi procolon. Now Berlin-based diagnostics specialist Epigenomics is considering a secondary listing in the US. A draft of the required registration document was confidentially submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Danish Genmab AS has granted Gilead Sciences license to use its DuoBody technology platform to develop bispecific antibodies for the treatment of HIV. The deal is worth up to €252m.
Hungarian Gedeon Richter and Irish Allergan are staying on course in the face of dissappointing Phase III results for depression drug cariprazine. The partners will now begin another Phase III study needed for approval.
Araclon Biotechs Alzheimers vaccine ABvac40 is going forward into Phase II after showing a good safety profile in Phase I. The promising trial results were presented at the Alzheimers Association International Conference.
After a two-year pilot period, the EMA has published its report on its adaptive pathways approach. The agency plans to explore the concept further and will continue to accept proposals.
Life science venture capital group Epidarex has launched Nodthera Ltd, a biotech based on research by Poland-based drug discovery company Selvita. The start-up aims to develop novel inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
GlaxoSmithKline has in-licensed Janssens anti-IL-33R monoclonal antibody for severe asthma. The British drugmaker is paying €208m up front for the mAb.
In view of the Brexit, research academies across Britain are calling for a bold commitment from the government. The Royal Society President urges the UK government to underwrite the research of British scientists applying for EU funding.
Belgian molecular diagnostics company Biocartis Group NV has raised €55m and will use the funds mainly to expand manufacturing capacities for its PCR-based molecular diagnostics system Idylla.