Applied Photophysics, a provider of systems for the biophysical characterisation of biomolecules, has appointed Louise Madden as Chief Executive Officer. She joined Applied Photophysics in March 2014 as commercial director, before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2015.

French researchers have identified a regulator which controls blood vessel permeability. Their findings open up the possibility to develop drugs preventing oedema that occur in large indications such as stroke or congestive heart failure. 

Developer of treatments for neuromuscular and neuro-ophthalmological diseases Santhera Pharmaceuticals has hired Kristina Sjöblom Nygren as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development.

Major European stakeholders have released statements on how to fight antimicrobial resistance more effectively. Regulatory agencies such as EFSA and EMA call for locally adapted combination strategies while biotech companies advocate for more support in antibiotics R&D.
Belgian ViroVet NV, which develops vaccines and antiviral drug for livestock, has named George Gunn as the newest member of its board of directors. Until early 2015, Gunn was CEO of Novartis Animal Health and a member of the global executive committee of Novartis. 

Dutch gene therapy specialist uniQure Biopharma BV will be able to rapidly develop its haemophilia B gene therapy AMT-060. Based on data of a Phase I/II safety study, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for the new way to substitute the heritable lack of blood clotting factor IX. 

Belgian-headquartered IBA Molecular has completed the acquisition of British Mallinckrodt’s nuclear imaging business summing up to approximately US$690m.

German Christian democrats have started the election year underpinning their intention to pump money into life science research and into its translation into products.

Like every sector of the UK economy, life sciences has been beset with uncertainty since the country voted to leave the European Union. Last week prime minister Theresa May finally gave us some clarity on her plans for Brexit, which will allow us to prepare for the future.

Following a month-long take-over poker, J&J’s and Actelion’s boards have agreed to support an all-cash tender offer from J&J in which shareholders are set to receive US$280.08 per share and one share of NewCo, an R&D spin out to be led by Actelion CEO Paul Clozel. J&J will acquire at least 67% of Actelion’s shares and will hold 16% of NewCo with an option to further 16%.