Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, and Nagasaki University signed a collaborative research agreement to discover new drugs for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by dengue virus...In separate news, Astellas signed a deal to access the TSUBAME2.0 supercomputer at the Tokyo Institute of Technology to discover candidates for NTDs caused by dengue virus...In other news, The Nasdaq OMX Stockholm's listing committee approved the listing of NeuroVive's shares

TransTech Pharma Inc., of High Point, N.C., said the FDA granted fast-track designation for TTP488, a small-molecule chemical compound in development to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD...FivePrime will be eligible to receive approximately $16 million from a combination of an up-front fee, technology access fees, research funding and success-based research milestone payments

In other news, Evotec said a compound identified and optimized in a research collaboration with Osaka, Japan-based Ono Pharmaceutical Co...In separate news, Janssen reported that the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 10-5 late Thursday to recommend approval of canaglifozin, a selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, to treat Type II diabetes in adults

In addition to Kim, we were joined by a long-time friend and medical consultant who's helping to vet oncology assets...In contrast to most partnering discussions in small suites, that meeting was held in a large board room with a long conference table

Under the agreement, Pepscan will use its CLIPS platform and other protein mimicry technologies to help discover new antibodies...to purchase up to 1 million shares, or about 1.06 percent of the company's outstanding stock, at a price of $161.25 per share, marking a 4.46 percent discount to the Dec. 27 closing price

Galderma Pharma SA, of Lausanne, Switzerland, agreed to acquire Spirig Pharma AG, of Egerkingen, Switzerland

In a flash note, she observed that, with respect to pharmacokinetics, "it's unclear whether PI3K gamma inhibition by IPI-145 has meaningful contribution to anticancer activity...OncoSec plans to use the proceeds to fund clinical trials and research and development and for other corporate purposes...The company plans to use the proceeds to fund research and development, clinical trials and for other corporate purposes.

Erytech Pharma, of Lyon, France, said it entered a definitive agreement granting Orphan Europe, part of the Recordati Group, of Milano, Italy, exclusive rights for the commercialization and distribution of Graspa in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Europe...Eisai Co Ltd., of Tokyo, has pledged up to $200 million in research funding, H3 said

In other news, Cellectis said it signed two exclusive license agreements with Iowa State University granting the firm worldwide rights to inventions related to TAL effector-nucleases (TALENs) and monomeric TALENs...Pharma Two B Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, completed a second round of financing for $8 million to develop its fixed-dose-combination product, P2B001, for Parkinson's disease and to complete a Phase IIb trial

In other news, Almirall reported data from the MOVE 2 study supporting the use of Sativex, an endocannabinoid modulator, to reduce symptoms of moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis

Vanderbilt will get an undisclosed up-front payment and will receive multiyear research funding, plus milestones and royalties...In other news, BMS and partner Pfizer Inc., of New York, said the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion on Eliquis (apixaban) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and one or more risk factors for stroke

Genzyme filed suit against Abon July 27 seeking to prevent the specialty pharma firm from commercializing the generic product prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent No...The company said it has been approached by pharma and biotech companies as well as venture firms interested in pursuing applications ranging from women's health to neurosurgery and ophthalmology

In other news, Alkermes said it will discontinue development of ALKS 37 in opioid-induced constipation after top-line results from a Phase IIb dose-ranging study failed to meet a predetermined product profile for advancing the compound...In other news, Astellas entered a second partnership with Drais Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J., to develop and commercialize ASP7147, for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, entered a second partnership with Drais Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J., to develop and commercialize ASP7147, for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea...Financial terms call for the big pharma firm to make a $25 million up-front payment to Chatham and additional payments could come over the next several years based on certain development and commercial milestones...In other news, HGSI submitted an investigational new drug application with the FDA for a

Dyax Corp., of Burlington, Mass., said Leverkusen, Germany-based Bayer Pharma AG executed a license to Dyax's antibody phage display technology for development and potential commercialization of therapeutic antibody candidates identified using the Dyax library...BioFocus will use its SilenceSelect technology to deliver validated targets to Ono, receiving research funding and success-based payments in exchange

Cytos intends to use the proceeds primarily to conduct a Phase IIb study of CYT003 in allergic asthma...Sigmoid Pharma Ltd., of Dublin, Ireland, said it completed a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized Phase II trial of CyCol, its lead candidate, in ulcerative colitis

Cardium Therapeutics Inc., of San Diego, said it signed a deal with UK-based Angel Biomedical Ltd., a subsidiary of contract manufacturer Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc, for the manufacture of formulated collagen for Cardium's Excellagen product, a high-molecular weight fibrillar bovine Type I topical gel recently cleared for marketing by the FDA as an adjunct to debridement for the management of diabetic foot ulcers and other dermal wounds...marketing rights to non-opioid, non-narcotic

In addition to an undisclosed up-front payment, Conformetrix will receive research funding and be eligible for milestones as certain undisclosed targets are met...The company said the trials showed MoxDuo CR had superior performance in sustained blood levels for up to 24 hours, compared to OxyContin (sustained-release oxycodone) and MS Contin (sustained-release morphine, both Purdue Pharma LP

In addition to an undisclosed up-front payment, Conformetrix will receive research funding and be eligible for milestones as certain undisclosed targets are met