Pfizer Inc. upped its original $7.3 billion September offer to buy Metsera Inc., but the obesity specialist maintained that a now-improved unsolicited bid by semaglutide developer Novo Nordisk A/S is superior.
Five-year follow-up data for Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) drug, Agamree (vamorolone), confirm that its efficacy in preserving muscle function is comparable to standard-of-care corticosteroids, but that the overall side-effect profile is more benign. There was less positive DMD news from Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.
Oversonic Robotics Srl believes that its humanoid robot Robee could transform health care in Europe as it helps address the challenges of an aging population, rising chronic conditions and the shortage of health care workers. Robee has already received CE mark certification as a class I medical device, and plans are underway to achieve class II certification next year as the company looks to make a significant social impact with its humanoid robot.
The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) has committed to major reforms of how it regulates drugs for rare diseases, making it easier to run clinical trials and get approvals. The new rules will be published in full early in 2026 and come into effect later in the year, but following consultation with industry, academics and patients’ groups, the agency has released a position paper setting out its plans.
Pfizer Inc. has delivered on its threat of legal action against the attempt by Novo Nordisk A/S to scupper its acquisition of Metsera Inc., and has filed two lawsuits, one alleging breach of contract, and a second claiming that a merger of Novo Nordisk and Metsera would violate antitrust regulations.
Uniqure NV is regrouping after a surprise switcheroo by the havoc-beset U.S. FDA regarding phase I/II studies with AMT-130 vs. external control in Huntington’s disease (HD) – news of which pushed down the Lexington, Mass.-based firm’s shares (NASDAQ:QURE) Nov. 3 by $33.40, a loss of 49%, at the closing price of $34.29.
Scientists in the U.K. are developing glucose-powered bioelectronics to advance the use and capabilities of implantable medical devices. A research team, led by the University of Bath, received £2.1 million (US$3.3 million) in funding from the government to develop miniature, lightweight and long-lasting glucose fuel cells to help address the invasiveness and limitations of current battery-powered implants.
Neurodegeneration specialist Vesper Bio ApS has announced positive results from the phase Ib/II trial of its oral sortilin inhibitor VES-001 in frontotemporal dementia. The small study involved six participants who had not progressed to symptomatic disease but were carriers of mutations in the GRN gene that codes for progranulin, a growth factor that is essential for neuronal health.
Customed Ltd. has completed its seed funding round, bringing the total capital raised to $6 million. The company has developed a platform which provides orthopedic surgeons with personalized pre-surgical planning and 3D printed surgical tools. The funds will be used to support regulatory approvals in the U.S. and EU, as well as expansion into additional automated orthopedic indications.
Pfizer Inc. is threatening legal action at an attempt by Novo Nordisk A/S to scupper its acquisition of Metsera Inc., with an unsolicited $9 billion offer for the anti-obesity specialist. That trumps Pfizer’s agreed bid made in September, which valued New York-based Metsera at $7.3 billion.
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