Today Stories

National effort builds on Foundation’s longstanding commitment to helping patients in underserved communities receive high-quality, equitable care RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Merck Foundation (the Foundation) announced today the launch of the Alliance for Equity in Cancer Care (the Alliance), a $20 million, five-year initiative, designed to make cancer care more equitable in the United States by helping patients living in underserved communities receive timely access to high-quality, culturally responsive care. “The severity of the need to take action on advancing equity in cancer care cannot be overstated and will not be overlooked,” said Carmen Villar, CEO of the Merck Foundation. “We must move with urgency and work together to provide all people living with cancer access to hi…

25-year industry veteran and Biotech business leader recognized among the most inspiring people in life sciences BOSTON and DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parexel, a leading global clinical research organization (CRO) focused on development and delivery of innovative new therapies to advance patient health, today announced Executive Vice President and Global Head of Biotech Jim Anthony has been named to the PharmaVOICE 100 list of the most inspiring people in the life sciences industry. Mr. Anthony was recognized for his outstanding leadership, ready-for-anything attitude and relationship-building prowess to grow Parexel’s Biotech business with a Patients-First approach. His leadership has been transformational to the company’s growth while contributing to innovative new…

Recognized for championing diversity and collaboration within the clinical trials industry Bracknell, UK – 6 Sept 2022: LaQuinta Jernigan, Chief Operating Officer for mdgroup, has been recognized as one of 100 most inspiring people in life sciences by a leading industry journal, PharmaVoice. Honorees like LaQuinta are selected from a pool of nominations and include Legacy Leaders, Tech Wizards, Innovators, Disrupters, Entrepreneurs, and DE&I Champions. LaQuinta was selected for her work to make the clinical trials space more representative, pushing to go beyond mere lip service in championing diversity to ensure access to clinical trials is not just understood and reserved for certain demographics. Commenting on the accolade, LaQuinta said: “It is an honour to be nominated by my peers…

Radiology technology start-up Hexarad has completed its Series A funding round with an additional raise of £2.2 million. This is in addition to £2.3 million Hexarad raised in 2021, bringing the full raise to £4.5 million. The round was led by Foresight Group, the leading private equity and infrastructure investment manager, who also invested in 2021, with additional participation from angel investors including healthcare leaders Sachin Agrawal based in the US and Henry Carleton based in the UK. Hexarad is an early stage, high growth healthcare technology company, providing technology-driven solutions to boost radiology capacity and address the key causes of diagnostic delays. Headquartered in London, Hexarad was founded in 2016 by a group of NHS consultant radiologists. Since 2016, Hexarad…

Epredia, a global leader in precision cancer diagnostics, today announced that its parent company PHC Holdings Corporation [TSE 6523] has acquired anatomical pathology suppliers Microm Microtech France (MMFrance) and Laurypath in a strategic expansion of Epredia’s presence in Europe. MMFrance and Laurypath, both founded in 1987 in Lyon, France, manufacture and supply anatomical pathology products and provide services for laboratories throughout France, offering high levels of technical support and a local supply of reagents and other consumables used in cancer diagnostics. Both companies will now operate as fully owned subsidiaries of PHC Holdings Corporation (PHC Group). With this acquisition, Epredia now adds Laurypath’s European-based manufacturing of tissue processing reagents and f…

Bagsværd, Denmark and Watertown, Mass, US , 01 September 2022 – Novo Nordisk and Forma Therapeutics, Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: FMTX) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Novo Nordisk will acquire Forma Therapeutics for USD 20 per share in cash, which represents a total equity value of USD 1.1bn. Forma Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the lives of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and rare blood disorders. The acquisition of Forma Therapeutics, including its lead development candidate, etavopivat, is aligned with Novo Nordisk’s strategy to complement and accelerate its scientific presence and pipeline in haemoglobinopathies, a group of disorders in which there is abnormal production or structure o…

XNK Therapeutics AB (“XNK”) today announced the successful completion of the building phase of the company’s new GMP clean room facility. All equipment and systems are now installed, and qualification of the clean room is complete, while validation and qualification of equipment and systems are progressing according to plan. The first technical batch has been produced in the facility, demonstrating the ability to run a production process. “XNK has worked hard over the past year planning for this new GMP facility that will enable the aseptic production of ATMPs and clinical material for future studies,” said Paul Do, Head of Clinical Manufacturing and Engineering at XNK Therapeutics. “This is an important step in the company’s ambitious growth plan to enable further larger clinical studie…

New data from the MOMENTUM 3 study showed for the first time that a heart pump can extend survival to five years and beyond for advanced heart failure patients Prior data1 have shown survival for advanced heart failure patients who don't receive either a heart pump or heart transplant is less than one year The MOMENTUM 3 study showcases the significant survival benefits of Abbott's heart pump technology, particularly in a patient population with limited therapy options ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced new late-breaking data that show its HeartMate 3™ heart pump extends survival of advanced heart failure patients by at least five years, providing a clear life-saving option for people battling later stage disease. The data are from the MOM…

CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2022 / Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today announced it will host its in-person and virtual R&D Day at 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Moderna's R&D Day will feature presentations from Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Hoge M.D., President, and Moderna clinical team leaders. A live webcast will be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors section of the Moderna website. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Moderna's website for one year following the presentation. About Moderna In over 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messen…

Egham, UK - 25 August 2022 - Essential Pharma, an international speciality pharma group focused on maintaining access to well-established, “at risk” products essential to patients across multiple therapeutic areas, announces the strengthening of its operating platform to support the next phase of its growth, with the granting of new establishment and manufacturing licences in Switzerland and Malta. These approvals strengthen the company’s geographical expansion, improve its operational efficiencies, and enhance its offering as a global business partner. They will also provide new strategic opportunities for the company and will play a fundamental role in driving value creation through functional improvements to scale and productivity. Firstly, following a successful inspection by Swissmedi…

Maintains Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) in the EU Providing 10-years of Market Exclusivity Significant Benefit Over Existing Therapies for Patients with Severe Hemophilia A in EU Based on EMA Determination of ODD Conference Call and Webcast to be Held Wed., Aug. 24th at 8:00 pm Eastern SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorization (CMA) to ROCTAVIAN™ (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) gene therapy for the treatment of severe hemophilia A (congenital Factor VIII deficiency) in adult patients without a history of Factor VIII inhibitors and without detectable antibodies to adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5). The EC also endorsed EMA's recommendati…

Cambridge spin-out secures Suite 7 in the Park’s Science Village Cambridge, UK, 22 August 2022: Chesterford Research Park has announced that Constructive Bio has joined the Park’s highly regarded multi-occupier R&D building, Science Village. The Cambridge-born start-up, which has recently closed a $15 million (£12.45 million) seed funding round (led by Ahren Innovation Capital with participation from Amadeus Capital, OMX Ventures and General Inception) to commercialise its technology, is taking 1,993 sq ft of space within the Park’s Science Village Building. Designed with occupier needs front-and-centre of its design, the facility provides 16 individual and self-contained R&D suites. The suites also come complete with fully fitted, ready-made labs, avoiding the need for lengthy ref…

The Digital LightCycler System is a next-generation digital PCR system that helps clinical researchers better understand the nature of a patient’s cancer, genetic disease or infection. The new system has the potential to find and quantify ultra-rare, hard to detect mutations, leading to early diagnosis and treatment strategies. The Digital LightCycler System is designed for laboratories performing highly sensitive and precise DNA and RNA analysis in areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. Basel, 23 August 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced the launch of the Digital LightCyclerⓇ System, Roche’s first digital polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) system. This next-generation system detects disease and is designed to accurately quantify trace amounts of specific DN…

One of the largest manufacturing sites for the company, the $105 million facility adds capacity to enable more life-saving vaccines and therapies WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today opened its largest single-use technology manufacturing site in Greater Nashville. The $105 million, 400,000-square-foot facility enables the company to help meet rapidly growing demand for the bioprocessing materials needed to produce vaccines and breakthrough therapies for cancer and other diseases. This new site is part of Thermo Fisher’s $650 million multi-year investment to expand its bioprocessing production capabilities. “Customers depend on our best-in-class technologies, services and expertise. This continued investment in bioproces…

ProBioGen Executes a Master Service Agreement with NextPoint Therapeutics and Starts an Integrated Project from Cell Line Development to GMP Manufacturing BERLIN, Germany and CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA, August 17, 2022 / B3C newswire / -- ProBioGen is delighted to close a Master Service Agreement with NextPoint and initiate development and GMP manufacturing of their lead antibody candidate. ProBioGen's CHO.RiGHT® cell line development including their latest DirectedLuck® transposase and platform processes enable the development to provide a high-expressing stable cell line and a robust manufacturing process. Further, ProBioGen's proprietary cell culture medium makes manufacturing processes even more robust, with improved protein titers and cell growth behavior. The integrated services ensure that…

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced today that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (“Turning Point”), in an all-cash transaction. With the completion of the acquisition, Turning Point shares have ceased trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and Turning Point is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb. “Turning Point has distinguished itself in the field of precision oncology, and this acquisition will further strengthen our leading oncology franchise,” said Elizabeth Mily, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. “With Turning Point’s lead asset, repotrectinib, Bristol Myers Squibb will be positioned to address a significant unmet medical need for R…

Collaboration supports multiple discovery efforts, including vaccines RAHWAY, N.J. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Orna Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering a new investigational class of engineered circular RNA (oRNA) therapies, today announced a collaboration agreement to discover, develop, and commercialize multiple programs, including vaccines and therapeutics in the areas of infectious disease and oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will make an upfront payment to Orna of $150 million, which will be expensed by Merck in the third quarter of 2022 and included in non-GAAP results. In addition, Orna will be eligible to receive up to $3.5 billion in development, regulatory, and sa…

GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Affinivax, Inc (Affinivax), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge (Boston, Massachusetts). Affinivax has pioneered the development of a novel class of vaccines, the most advanced of which are next-generation pneumococcal vaccines. As previously announced, the acquisition of Affinivax aligns with GSK’s strategy of building a strong portfolio of specialty medicines and vaccines. It includes a next-generation 24-valent pneumococcal vaccine candidate (AFX3772), currently in phase II development, which is based on the highly innovative Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPSTM) platform technology. A 30-plus valent pneumococcal candidate vaccine is also in pre-clinical development. The MAPSTM te…

Elecsys IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test supports the better understanding of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination The test detects T-cell response, which may play an important role in determining if immune protection has been achieved The new diagnostic test may provide clinical care guidance, particularly for immunocompromised and high-risk patient groups Basel, 15 August 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced the launch of the Elecsys® IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test in countries that accept the CE Mark1. The Elecsys IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test supports the better understanding of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. The test will be an additional tool to make better-informed decisions around care, sanitary measures and treatment options. This will be partic…

AstraZeneca has completed the acquisition of TeneoTwo, Inc. (TeneoTwo)i, including its Phase I clinical-stage CD19/CD3 T-cell engager, TNB-486, currently under evaluation in relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.1 AstraZeneca will develop TNB-486 as a potential new medicine for B-cell haematologic malignancies. Financial considerationsAstraZeneca has acquired all outstanding equity of TeneoTwo in exchange for an upfront payment of $100m. Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will make additional contingent R&D-related milestone payments of up to $805m and additional contingent commercial-related milestone payments of up to $360m to TeneoTwo’s former equity holders. This acquisition did not include the transfer of people or facilities. iTeneoTwo, Inc., is a major…