Following Fresenius’ launch of a €200 million healthcare venture fund in July, we invited Thomas Thestrup, managing director of Fresenius Ventures, to share his perspective in the Autumn issue of European Biotechnology. His argument: Europe has the innovation and the corporate investment expertise to compete globally, but needs more capital from its own healthcare companies to prevent the value created by European science from moving elsewhere. Here’s what he had to say:
Merck to buy siRNA specialist Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 billion
Latest NewsMerck KGaA is acquiring British biotech company Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 billion. The main value driver is an siRNA candidate for polycythemia vera. But the research platform and Berlin site are also part of the package. The deal is another sign that RNA interference is moving beyond a specialist technology into the broader pharmaceutical business. With a premium of 82% over the 30-day volume-weighted average share price, Merck is setting hearts racing in the siRNA community.
From development to commercial reality
slider, Sponsored PublicationsHelping biopharmaceutical innovators build scalable, manufacturable, and commercially viable processes from the start.
Fresenius Ventures’ managing director: Europe has the investors. It needs the capital.
Latest News, OpinionFollowing Fresenius’ launch of a €200 million healthcare venture fund in July, we invited Thomas Thestrup, managing director of Fresenius Ventures, to share his perspective in the Autumn issue of European Biotechnology. His argument: Europe has the innovation and the corporate investment expertise to compete globally, but needs more capital from its own healthcare companies to prevent the value created by European science from moving elsewhere. Here’s what he had to say:
OSE reports positive Phase 2 data, but questions remain
Latest NewsFrench biotech OSE Immunotherapeutics has reported higher one-year survival rates with two combinations of its cancer vaccine Tedopi compared with chemotherapy alone in a Phase 2 lung cancer trial. However, the results are similar to those previously achieved with Tedopi alone, raising questions about the added benefit of combination treatment.
CHMP October decisions: AstraZeneca pulls prostate cancer filing; Orphelia gets a second chance; Ascendis nears EU launch
Latest NewsEach month, the European Medicines Agency’s human medicines committee (CHMP) weighs in on which drugs should reach European patients — and which should not. Here are eight decisions from its October meeting worth knowing.
Nouscom raises €120M to advance cancer prevention vaccine
Latest NewsSwiss biotech Nouscom has raised €120 million in an oversubscribed Series D financing to advance NOUS-209, an experimental cancer vaccine designed to prevent tumors in people with Lynch syndrome, into a global registration-enabling clinical trial. Alongside the financing, the company has released new long-term clinical data showing encouraging signs of cancer prevention.
Osivax misses Phase 2b flu vaccine endpoint, shifts focus to combinations
Latest NewsFrench-Belgian biotech Osivax has reported disappointing Phase 2b results for its broad-spectrum influenza vaccine OVX836, which achieved a nonsignificant efficacy estimate of 24% against a predefined target of 50%. The company is now emphasizing a strategy to combine its candidate with existing seasonal flu vaccines.
Evotec fills CSO vacancy; Sibylla and AL-S Pharma name new CEOs
Latest NewsEvery Friday, The Leadership Edit follows people taking new roles across European biotech and what their moves may tell us about the companies they join. This week: a swift scientific leadership change at Evotec, a broader reshuffle at Sibylla and a new CEO to guide AL-S Pharma toward Phase 3.
Microbiotica raises £36M to test gut-bacteria capsule in ulcerative colitis
Latest NewsU.K. microbiome company Microbiotica has raised £36 million (€43 million), the first close of a Series C round led by the British Business Bank, to take its ulcerative colitis drug MB310 into Phase 2.
Lakefront offloads CAR-T programs to Armed Cell as Mankind Pharma takes control of the Belgian startup
Latest NewsLakefront Biotherapeutics, formerly Galapagos, has sold five preclinical CAR-T assets to Belgian startup Armed Cell Therapeutics for €8 million upfront, while India’s Mankind Pharma has agreed to acquire 70% of the buyer for €48 million.