HONG KONG – 3SBio Inc. has acquired the patents for a new drug to treat renal failure from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM) as part of its efforts to expand its offerings linked to diseases of the kidney.

HONG KONG – A common respiratory virus previously believed to cause only mild respiratory tract infections in children can cause more serious, life-threatening infections in adults than seasonal influenza, according to the findings of the largest retrospective cohort study of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) conducted in Asia to date.

SHANGHAI – Marking a turning point for Chinese biotechnology, a company from Sichuan province – Chengdu Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd. (CIBP) – has earned coveted pre-qualification status from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine. It’s the first time a Chinese vaccine maker has earned a WHO seal of approval, which opens up markets worldwide.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Astrazeneca plc and Taiwan’s National Research Program for Biopharmaceuticals (NRPB) are collaborating to repurpose a basket of clinical-stage drug candidates provided by the London-based big pharma for possible new therapies targeting Asian-prevalent diseases, using an open innovation model of development.

• Shire plc, of Dublin, inked an exclusive distribution and supply agreement for Prasco Laboratories, of Cincinnati, to market an authorized generic version of Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate) chewable tablets. Fosrenol is a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphate in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Shares in Evotec AG rose 10 percent Monday on news of a research partnership with Astrazeneca plc on the discovery and development of disease-modifying drugs for chronic kidney disease.

LONDON – A promising new strategy for treating multiple sclerosis is under investigation. An international team of researchers reported that they have identified a method of stimulating repair of nerve cells that have lost their protective lipid insulation, a process that occurs in multiple sclerosis. The new approach is radically different from that used in existing therapies, which focus on preventing the damage to nerve cells caused by the immune system.

LONDON – Maximizing value from technology platforms presents formidable challenges for biotechs, in balancing the level of investment in product development with cranking the handle to generate new programs.

Ablynx NV continues to crank out deals, its latest being a regional accord with Chinese specialty pharma firm Eddingpharm Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize its anti-RANKL nanobody ALX-0141, for which it is receiving €2 million (US$2.7 million) up front, plus commercial milestones and tiered double-digit royalty payments.

LONDON – Anergis SA released new immunological data from the Phase IIb study of its lead product Allert, proving the synthetic allergy vaccine acts in the same way as traditional desensitizing allergy treatments and providing a comfort factor for potential pharma partners as licensing discussions progress.