Pharmaco - Today Stories

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables a better understanding of genetic mechanisms linked to specific diseases and is helping drive personalised healthcare Preparing DNA for sequencing libraries is complex and prone to human error, which can interfere with accurate sequencing results The new AVENIO Edge System is a fully-automated solution for the sample preparation workflow, from DNA sample input to the output of sequencing-ready libraries, and supports more comprehensive testing with consistent and high quality results for precision medicine for the future Basel, 13 December 2021 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced the launch of the AVENIO Edge System, a core component of Roche’s strategy to advance sequencing technologies. Built on best-in-class foundational capabi…

First emergency use authorization in the United States for a COVID-19 vaccine booster in individuals 16 years and older NEW YORK & MAINZ, Germany -- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include individuals 16 years of age and older. The booster dose is to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series and is the same formulation and dosage strength as the doses in the primary series. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211209005841/en/ “Today’s decision by the FDA to further expand the Emergen…

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 8, 2021 -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPD), a leading global provider of clinical research services to the biopharma and biotech industry, for $17.4 billion. "We are very excited to officially welcome our PPD colleagues to Thermo Fisher Scientific," said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Expanding our value proposition for our biotech and pharmaceutical customers with the addition of PPD's leading clinical research services advances our work in bringing life-changing therapies to market, benefitting patients around the world."  As previously announced, the transaction is expected to…

Part of an ongoing investigation focused on how obesity and dysregulated metabolic hormones promote prostate cancer progression and metastasis Studies aim to quantify the ability of SynDevRx MetAP2 inhibitor evexomostat (SDX-7320) to control tumor growth of castration resistant prostate cancers CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--SynDevRx, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the development in treatments for obesity-accelerated cancers, today announced a research collaboration with Australia’s Queensland University of Technology. The collaboration with Professor Colleen Nelson, PhD, and her team will study the role of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) inhibition in tumor growth in castration resistant and other treatment resistant forms of prostate cancer. Obesity and systemic metaboli…

Liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis, a systemic, progressive and fatal condition  AstraZeneca has entered into a new global development and commercialisation agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) for eplontersen, formerly known as IONIS-TTR-LRX. Eplontersen is a ligand-conjugated antisense investigational medicine currently in Phase III clinical trials for amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and amyloid transthyretin polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN). It is designed to reduce the production of transthyretin (TTR protein) to treat both hereditary and non-hereditary forms of TTR amyloidosis (ATTR). The companies will jointly develop and commercialise eplontersen in the US, while AstraZeneca will develop…

The combination rapid antigen test quickly differentiates between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses A and B infections, with results ready in less than 30 minutes, allowing informed decisions on patient and pandemic management decisions Affordable and small, instrument-free testing kit enables convenient use for healthcare professionals at different point of care locations and in resource-limited settings The test works seamlessly with NAVIFY® Pass, Roche’s digital solution that allows individuals and healthcare professionals to immediately store, display, and share their COVID-19 test results and vaccine status through a unique data matrix Basel, 6 December 2021 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced its plans to launch the SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test for pr…

Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and FCNT LIMITED (Headquarters: Kanagawa, CEO: Katsumi Takada, “FCNT”) announced today that both companies have entered into a business alliance agreement aiming to support people living with dementia and to prevent dementia, through developing solutions for maintaining brain performance. Both companies will construct an ecosystem with the aim of supporting people living with and preventing dementia (“Dementia Ecosystem”), with integrating Eisai's wealth of experience and knowledge including drug creation and disease awareness activities as well as Eisai's solution measures such as digital technology, in the area of dementia, and FCNT’s products such as smartphones designed to offer outstanding usability for the elderly as we…

Divestments of UK oral liquid products streamlines the portfolio and furthers Essential Pharma’s international growth strategy  Acquired products are low volume, but essential medicines with geographic expansion potential  Egham, UK – 25 November 2021 – Essential Pharma, an international specialty pharma group focused on maintaining access to well-established, “at risk” products essential to patients across multiple therapeutic areas, announces the closing of two transactions with Rosemont Pharmaceuticals (“Rosemont”). Essential Pharma has completed the divestment of its oral liquid portfolio to Rosemont, a UK-based pharmaceutical company focused on manufacturing oral liquid products. Essential has separately acquired a series of attractive, niche products with geographic expansion poten…

KENILWORTH, N.J.-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Acceleron Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: XLRN). “This is an important and strategic opportunity for our company to continue growing our cardiovascular portfolio and pipeline, that builds on our long and proud legacy in cardiovascular disease and further bolsters our business development strategy,” said Rob Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck. “Fueled by Acceleron’s groundbreaking research, we are excited to explore the opportunities and possibilities ahead to reach even more patients by addressing this critical health need.” Acceleron is focused on harnessing the power of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily of prote…

State-of-the-art R&D facility designed to foster collaboration across world-class science ecosystem Sustainable environmental engineering aligned to Company’s zero carbon future AstraZeneca will today, in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, formally unveil The Discovery Centre (DISC) in Cambridge, UK – a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facility designed to the world’s highest environmental standards and accommodating over 2,200 research scientists. The new £1bn facility will include the most advanced robotics, high-throughput screening and AI-driven technology. It will support AstraZeneca’s focus on specialised and precision medicines and foster the discovery and development of next generation therapeutics, including nucleotide-based, gen…

Acquisition enhances Pfizer’s Oncology portfolio with addition of next-generation, investigational immuno-therapeutics for hematological malignancies NEW YORK-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Trillium Therapeutics, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer. As Trillium becomes part of Pfizer, it brings an impressive portfolio that includes biologics that are designed to enhance the ability of patients’ innate immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. Its two lead molecules, TTI-622 and TTI-621, block the signal-regulatory protein α (SIRPα)–CD47 axis, which is emerging as a key immune checkpoint in hematological malignancies. TTI-622 and TTI-621 are novel SIRPα-Fc fusi…

The AVENIO Tumor Tissue Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) Kit is the first jointly-developed product that brings together the expertise and reach of Roche with Foundation Medicine’s pioneering leadership in genomic science. This is the first time that research scientists can conduct oncology research with Foundation Medicine’s comprehensive genomic profiling in their own laboratories to gain meaningful genomic insights and deepen their understanding of cancer biology. This kit is an important step forward in Roche and Foundation Medicine's vision of enabling personalised healthcare for more patients living with cancer by broadening access to CGP and making it essential in clinical decision making in the future. Basel, 25 October 2021 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announc…

52 physicians from across the U.S. selected for the inaugural cohort of the five-year, $100 million initiative Initiative is part of the BMS Foundation commitment to health equity and diversity and inclusion made last year Applications are also now open for second cohort to begin in October 2022 PRINCETON, N.J.-- The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF), together with its partners, National Medical Fellowships (NMF) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), today announced the first group of 52 physicians selected for its Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program (BMSF DCTCDP). The 52 early-stage investigators are the first of 250 community-oriented clinical trialists who will be trained through the program by 2027. The 52 physicians selected by an indepe…

Boehringer Ingelheim has exercised intellectual property options from IP Group regarding research results generated by the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, and from Oxford Biomedica regarding their lentiviral vector technology   Partners aim to expedite the development of the novel, inhaled cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene therapy BI 3720931 as a long-lasting therapeutic option for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF)   Ingelheim, Germany, 19 October 2021 – Boehringer Ingelheim, IP Group, the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC, consisting of researchers from Imperial College London and the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh) and Oxford Biomedica (OXB), announced today that Boehringer Ingelheim has…

Artificial Intelligence technology shows promise in advancing pathology imaging, which can benefit cancer patients through more precise diagnosis leading to targeted treatment. Collaboration with PathAI expands pathologist access to innovative AI-powered technology to support companion diagnostic and drug development programs. Builds on Roche’s Digital Pathology Open Environment, expanding the company’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing personalised healthcare through innovation Basel, 15 October 2021 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that it has entered an agreement with PathAI, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology for pathology. Under the development and distribution agreement, the companies will jointly develop an e…

Exhibitor Innovation Awards Routes of Administration - EVEON - Intuity® Spray Connected Devices & Wearables – Nemera - Symbioze Primary Packaging – ARaymondlife - OR2Pack Highly Commended – Heinlein - Flipdropper Excellence in Packaging Sustainability – Hoffman Neopac - Polyfoil® Mono-Material Barrier Tube   Health Product Awards Eco-Design UCB Pharma - CIMZIA 2x200mg Syringe Maintenance Kit Patient-Centric Design - Abbott Healthcare Ltd - AcuDose® Animal Health – Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica - Aservo® EquiHaler®   Paris, 13th-14th October 2021: Pharmapack Europe (#PharmapackEU) announce the winners of the 2021 Pharmapack Awards and, due to the exceptional quality of this year’s entries, seven winners have been chosen across both the ‘Exhibitor Innovation’ and ‘Health Product’ awards…

Inaugural ’Accelerate’ program designed and delivered by Harvard Medical School Executive Education with the goal of accelerating clinical development and medical affairs The University of Medicine Excellence will help Boehringer Ingelheim to accelerate progress in turning patient-focused innovation into life-changing treatments Harvard Medical School will deliver the first customized program, ‘Accelerate’, to create the next generation of leading experts in clinical development and medical affairs Investment of 3.4 million USD until end of next year Ingelheim, October 12, 2021 – Boehringer Ingelheim today announced the launch of its University of Medicine Excellence (UME). In an unequivocal demonstration of commitment to people development and investm…

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 5, 2021 -- Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, public health laboratories and researchers have been developing surveillance methods using wastewater to control the spread of COVID-19. The effort has helped identify asymptomatic carriers on college campuses to monitor regional spread among communities and capture emerging mutations ahead of potential future outbreaks. To support these efforts, Thermo Fisher Scientific today introduced the MagMAX Wastewater Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit. Unlike other testing methods, which require nasal swabs or saliva samples, wastewater testing can assess infection rates among a general population up to two weeks earlier than individual or pooled testing. The MagMAX Wastewater Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit offers a flexible, eas…

- Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for up to 20 million deaths in the U.S. annually RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 4, 2021 -- Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) today announced the launch of CRMSynced™, an educational initiative that uses gamification to encourage healthcare professionals (HCPs) to prioritize a holistic approach to care for cardio-renal-metabolic (C-R-M) conditions. Accounting for up to 20 million deaths in the U.S. annually, C-R-M conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease, are the leading causes of death worldwide. "Recent innovations in treatments and guidelines for those with C-R-M conditions have put a new level of responsibility on all members of the…

Acquisition Complements and Strengthens Merck’s Cardiovascular Pipeline Sotatercept is a Potentially First-In-Class Therapy in Phase 3 Development for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension REBLOZYL ® (luspatercept-aamt) is a First-In-Class Erythroid Maturation Recombinant Fusion Protein Approved for the Treatment of Anemia in Certain Rare Blood Disorders Merck to Host Investor Call at 8 a.m. ET Today KENILWORTH, N.J. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: XLRN), a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Acceleron for $180 per share in cash for an approxima…