Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., said the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases exercised an option to conduct the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling program, submit an IND for intravenous and intramuscular formulations of BCX4430 in Marburg virus disease and conduct Phase I trials. The option represents an additional $2.5 million to Biocryst to advance the drug’s development, following an initial award of $5 million in September.

Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Lexington, Mass., said the FDA accepted the company’s new drug application for its investigational antibiotic tedizolid phosphate (TR-701) with priority review. The FDA has assigned a PDUFA date of June 20, 2014. Cubist is seeking approval of tedizolid for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. The compound is an oxazolidinone being developed for both intravenous and oral administration for the treatment of serious gram-positive infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Evolva Holding SA, of Reinach, Switzerland, and Serodus ASA, of Oslo, Norway, signed a final licensing agreement for EV-077, Evolva’s compound targeting diabetic nephropathy. The companies signed a binding term sheet in October. Serodus plans to advance EV-077 through clinical development before deciding whether pivotal trials will be conducted internally or with a partner. Evolva is entitled to undisclosed licensing payments, including clinical and regulatory milestones and a single-digit sales royalty. If Serodus decides to out-license the compound, Evolva will receive up to 30 percent of licensing income.

Prothena Corp. plc, of Dublin, was selected for addition to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, effective before the market opened on Dec. 13, 2013. Its common stock will be transferred to the Nasdaq Global Select market effective Jan. 2, 2014.

Santarus Inc., of San Diego, filed an amendment to a solicitation/recommendation statement related to a tender offer by Willow Acquisition Sub Corp., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Raleigh, N.C., to purchase all outstanding shares of Santarus common stock at $32 per share. The amendment includes additional information about a financial analysis performed by Santarus’ financial advisor. The terms and conditions of the offer remain the same.

Senesco Technologies Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J., agreed to terms and executed a non-binding letter of intent to merge with Fabrus LLC, of La Jolla, Calif. Present shareholders of Senesco and Fabrus will receive approximately 50 percent of the new combined company. Fabrus will merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of Senesco, and Senesco shareholders will be entitled to hold their existing securities. The parties will sign a definitive agreement in early 2014.

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S, of Horsholm, Denmark, submitted a new drug application to the FDA for Envarsus (formerly LCP-Tacro) for the prevention of organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients. The submission is based on the entire dataset from the company’s clinical development program that comprised 25 studies and enrolled more than 1,000 patients, including two pivotal clinical trials, studies 3001 and 3002. In the two pivotal trials, the immunosuppressor Envarsus given once daily met the primary endpoint of demonstrating comparable efficacy and safety compared to twice-daily tacrolimus (Prograf, Astellas Pharma Inc.).