LONDON - Two UK companies with a jointly developed product signed one of the biggest deals to date in European biotechnology, agreeing to a potential $375 million license with Novartis AG for their treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (BioWorld International)

LONDON - Evolutec Group plc raised £9.5 million (US$17.7 million) in a secondary fund raising that was more than two times oversubscribed, just seven months after its initial public offering was pegged back from a hoped-for £7.5 million to £5.1 million. (BioWorld International)