Pharmaco - Today Stories

Follows positive top-line clinical data readout from HERIZON-BTC-01 pivotal trial in biliary tract cancers DUBLIN and VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) today announced that Jazz has exercised its option to continue with its exclusive development and commercialization rights to Zymeworks' zanidatamab in key markets, including the U.S., Europe and Japan, pursuant to the license and collaboration agreement entered into in October 2022. The decision to exercise this option follows positive top-line clinical data from HERIZON-BTC-01, a pivotal trial in previously treated HER2-amplified biliary tract cancers (BTC), which demonstrated that 41.3% (95% CI: 30.4, 52.8) of enrolled patients with HER2-amplified and ex…

-- Acquisition Complements Kite’s Existing In-House Research Capabilities -- -- Provides Kite with Rapid Manufacturing Processes, ‘ Armored’ CAR T Technology Platform, and Access to Certain Future Innovations Through a Sponsored Research and License Agreement with the University of Pennsylvania -- -- Cell Therapy Researchers Who Founded Tmunity to Consult as Senior Scientific Advisors for Kite -- SANTA MONICA, Calif. & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), and Tmunity Therapeutics (Tmunity), today announced that the companies have signed an agreement in which Kite will acquire Tmunity, a clinical-stage, private biotech company focused on next-generation CAR T-therapies and technologies. The acquisition of Tmunity complements Kite’s existing in-house cel…

Sanofi gains exclusive license to Innate’s B7H3 ANKETTM program and options for two additional targets; Upon candidate selection, Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization Paris, December 19, 2022 Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) and Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) announced today an expansion of their collaboration, with Sanofi licensing a natural killer (NK) cell engager program targeting B7H3 from Innate’s ANKETTM (Antibody-based NK Cell Engager Therapeutics) platform. Sanofi will also have the option to add up to two additional ANKETTM targets. Upon candidate selection, Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization. Innate and Sanofi signed a first NK cell engagers collaboration in 2016 for the g…

For the first time, Lilly will supply API at a significantly reduced price along with pro-bono technical assistance, enabling EVA Pharma to manufacture and supply insulin to at least one million people in lower income countries INDIANAPOLIS and CAIRO, Dec. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and EVA Pharma announced today a collaboration to deliver a sustainable supply of high-quality, affordable human and analogue insulin to at least one million people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), most of which are in Africa. In a first for Lilly, the company will supply its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for insulin at a significantly reduced price to EVA Pharma. Lilly will also provide a pro-bono technology transfer to…

BRUSSELS (Belgium) and BOSTON, Massachusetts (USA), December 13th, 2022 (22:01 CET) — UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company (EURONEXT BRUSSELS: UCB), and Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a strategic collaboration, based upon Praxis’ PRAX-020 program, for the discovery of small molecule therapeutics as potential treatments of KCNT1 related epilepsies. “We are excited to partner with UCB, a global leader in epilepsy drug development, as we work together toward a novel approach for the treatment of KCNT1 related epilepsy, which has no approved therapies currently,” said Marcio Souza, president and chief executive officer of Praxis. “Our internal research efforts give us confidence that small molecules can selectivel…

Dublin, Ireland – 13 December 2022 – ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR) a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation, has been recognised with a number of coveted business and industry awards over the second half of 2022 for delivering clinical research services, alongside specialist collaborations on data, analytics and digital healthcare. The awards include the Best Contract Research Organisation – Full-Service Providers from Scrip, marking the second consecutive time after a win in 2021. Winners are chosen by an independent panel of industry experts, each chosen for their knowledge, objectivity and credibility. ICON’s innovation capabilities were recognised as the company won the Data Analytics/Business Intelligence category in the Fierce Biotech Innovation Awards –…

RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, is commencing today, through a subsidiary, a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Imago BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGO). On Nov. 21, 2022, Merck announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Imago. Upon the successful closing of the tender offer, stockholders of Imago will receive $36 in cash for each share of Imago common stock validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the offer, without interest and subject to deduction for any required tax withholding. Following the purchase of shares in the tender offer, Imago will merge with and into a subsidiary of Merck, with Imago surviving the merger. As a result, Imago will become…

New Space Will Be Three Times Larger and Increase Testing Capabilities BURLINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2022-- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading global life sciences company, today announced that it has begun operations at a new, larger anatomic pathology and histology (APH) laboratory in Los Angeles, expanding the company’s global central laboratory capabilities. Labcorp is investing in its APH services as a key component of its global growth and expansion strategy. The new laboratory is a dedicated Center of Excellence focused on APH laboratory testing solutions. The larger laboratory will expand capabilities, such as digital pathology with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other innovative technologies supporting clinical trials and…

The CNS specialist continues its strong expansion course in Europe and increases its presence from two to 20 countries in just six years Naarden and Düsseldorf – December 7, 2022 – Neuraxpharm Group (Neuraxpharm), a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, announces the establishment of Neuraxpharm Netherlands. The expansion into the Dutch market allows Neuraxpharm to continue on its pathway to become the number one CNS specialist in Europe. Neuraxpharm Netherlands will provide differentiated and specialty generics in the Netherlands, a strategically important CNS pharmaceutical market in Europe. To date, Neuraxpharm Netherlands has launched two products: Dimethyl Fumarate to treat multiple sclerosis and Lacosamid…

Collaboration leverages HotSpot's Smart Allostery™ drug discovery platform for the development of the first and only small molecule IRF5 (interferon regulatory factor 5) inhibitor for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases HotSpot to receive an upfront cash payment of $40 million with potential for further milestones and royalties NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and BOSTON, Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and HotSpot Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of small molecule allosteric therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced an exclusive worldwide collaboration and option to license agreement for HotSpot's discovery-stage IRF5 program for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. "This collaborati…

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Akouos, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKUS). The acquisition expands Lilly's efforts in genetic medicines to include Akouos's portfolio of potential first-in-class adeno-associated viral gene therapies for the treatment of inner ear conditions, including sensorineural hearing loss. "Akouos brings more top-tier talent and an important pipeline to Lilly's Institute for Genetic Medicine that will further accelerate our work to advance genetic medicines for people living with difficult-to-treat diseases," said Andrew C. Adams, Ph.D., senior vice president of genetic medicine at Lilly and co-director of the Institute for Genetic Medicine. "We look forward to supporting an…

RAHWAY, N.J. & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Imago BioSciences, Inc. (“Imago”) (Nasdaq: IMGO) today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Imago for $36.00 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $1.35 billion. “We continue to invest in our pipeline with a focus on applying our unique capabilities to unlock the value of breakthrough science for the patients we serve,” said Robert M. Davis, president and chief executive officer, Merck. “This acquisition of Imago augments our pipeline and strengthens our presence in the growing field of hematology.” Imago is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical com…

Establishes first-in-class biopharmaceutical commercialization platform specifically addressing rare diseases in Europe Secured exclusive rights in 26 European Countries to an investigational orphan medicine for the treatment of an ultra-rare ophthalmologic disease, currently under review by the European Medicines Agency for marketing approval Founded by biopharmaceutical executives Adam Plich, CEO, and Anant Murthy, Board Advisor, with the backing of a seasoned Advisory Board AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Avanzanite Bioscience B.V. (“Avanzanite” or the “Company”) officially launches its commercial-stage enterprise, seeking to expand patient access to medicines for rare diseases in Europe while unlocking revenue and growth potential for emerging research-based biopharmaceutical orig…

Positive opinion based on TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial updated survival results showing Imfinzi combination reduced risk of death by 24% vs. chemotherapy alone AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been recommended for marketing authorisation in the European Union (EU) for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin). The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency based its positive opinion on the primary results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence, and on the updated results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022. At the interim analysis, Imfinz…

Targenomix, a spin-off of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, will contribute to Bayer’s Crop Science R&D pipeline by continuing to deliver novel systems biology approaches for innovative crop protection discovery / Targenomix will continue its start-up approach as a standalone entity wholly-owned by Bayer  Monheim, November 10, 2022 – Bayer announced today the acquisition of German biotech start-up Targenomix. The spin-off of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI MPP) uses novel systems biology and computational life science tools to identify new modes of action for crop protection compounds. The Targenomix expertise, personnel, and platforms will be an important part of delivering on Bayer’s commitment to the design of sa…

Centralized experience supports diabetes self-management through medication reminders, education resources and insulin dose logging Data shared through platform interface may help healthcare providers make data-driven decisions± about care for adults treated with select Lilly insulins Offers compatibility with the Dexcom® Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems, *,∞ the Tempo Blood Glucose Monitor (BGM) and other compatible BGMs, as well as wearable devices from Fitbit®, Garmin®, Google Fit® and the Apple Health app INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will begin rollout of its first connected platform, the Tempo® Personalized Diabetes Management Platform, later this year in the U.S. The technology aims to help adults living with type 1 or type 2 dia…

Educators and school officials encouraged to drive student awareness of state and regional science fairs for a chance to enter nation’s premier middle school STEM competition WALTHAM, Mass. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, and Society for Science (the Society), today announced the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition. The Society named Thermo Fisher as the new title sponsor of the organization’s middle school STEM competition in August. “Society for Science is very excited to embark on this new partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science a…

– Genomic Biopharma Inc. to present abstracts on two drug candidate programs at the 2022 American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting – NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dante Genomics, a global leader in genomics and precision medicine, today announced the creation of Genomic Biopharma Inc., a separate drug discovery and development company to distinguish the separate business streams of each entity. Genomic Biopharma Inc. will present two abstracts on two drug programs at the 2022 American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting, the first of which is a top scoring abstract at the meeting titled: Abstract Title: A computational approach to design a COVID-19 vaccine against a predicted SARS-CoV-2 variant: high immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of DELLERA v…

-- DJS Antibodies' DJS-002 is a potential first-in-class antibody directed to LPAR1, currently in investigational preclinical studies for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases -- The company's proprietary HEPTAD platform will extend AbbVie's current discovery research capabilities by generating potential novel antibodies against difficult-to-drug protein targets in immunology and beyond NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced the acquisition of DJS Antibodies Ltd ("DJS"), a privately-held UK-based biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing antibody medicines that target difficult-to-drug disease-causing proteins, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). DJS's lead program is DJS-002,…

Tübingen and Ingelheim, Germany, 20 October 2022 – University of Tübingen, a leading member of Cyber Valley, Europe’s largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) research consortium and Boehringer Ingelheim launch an AI and data science fellowship program for top talents from around the world. Three to five fellowships will be awarded per year for up to three years with a target of nine to fifteen fellows in the program after five years. The partners will define cutting-edge research topics at the intersection of health and applications of AI, which will be selected by a joint steering committee. First fellowships have been published here and interested post-doctoral candidates are invited to submit their applications. Jan Nygaard Jensen, Global Head of Computational Biology and Digital Sciences…