Antengene Corp. Ltd. has formed a partnership with Legochem Biosciences Inc. to jointly develop new antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) primarily for cancer. The partners will integrate antibodies from Antengene with Legochem’s ADC technology.
Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG and Denali Therapeutics Inc. have expanded a central nervous system research partnership as the gene silencing field heats up.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has restored a rule that requires prior authorization for any mergers that affect a market that was the subject of previous allegations of attempted anticompetitive behavior. The agency’s press release on the change seems to respond to the decision by Illumina Inc. to complete its acquisition of Grail Inc. and its multicancer screening test, as indicated by the statement that the policy would address the behavior of companies that see little risk to their long-term market strategies despite FTC opposition to an acquisition.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has restored a rule that requires prior authorization for any mergers that affect a market that was the subject of previous allegations of attempted anticompetitive behavior. The agency’s press release on the change seems to respond to the decision by Illumina Inc. to complete its acquisition of Grail Inc. and its multicancer screening test, as indicated by the statement that the policy would address the behavior of companies that see little risk to their long-term market strategies despite FTC opposition to an acquisition.
Aicuris Anti-Infective Cures AG has expanded an antibacterial collaboration with Lysando AG to focus on a topical treatment for diabetic foot infections, based around technology that attacks bacteria using specially-designed molecules based on phage proteins.
Castle Biosciences Inc. is acquiring gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostics company Cernostics Inc. in a transaction valued up to $80 million. The deal marks a move from Castle’s focus on dermatology diagnostics to include GI disorders and could expand its estimated U.S. total addressable market by approximately $1 billion, the company said. Shares of Castle Biosciences (NASDAQ:CSTL) jumped 7.8% to close at $67.58 on Tuesday Oct. 19.
With only three bispecific antibodies on the market, potential for the technology remains largely untapped. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech Inc. is trying to change that. In a new deal with U.K.-based F-star Therapeutics Inc., it’s seeking develop a new generation of bispecifics for undisclosed targets.
Beigene Ltd., which in 2019 parlayed exclusive rights to distribute and promote Abraxane (paclitaxel) in China into more than $111 million in revenue, is contesting Celgene parent Bristol Myers Squibb Co.’s cancellation of the deal in arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce.
In a deal that could be worth more than $450 million, Olix Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. have agreed to discover, develop, and commercialize siRNA therapeutics for various liver-based targets implicated in cardiovascular, metabolic, and other indications.
In its first big pharma deal since it was founded around a cell programming technology in 2009, Immusoft Corp. signed Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to a research collaboration and license option targeting rare inherited metabolic disorders. The agreement brings an undisclosed up-front fee and research funding to Immusoft, which is also eligible to earn more than $900 million if all options are exercised and all milestones hit.