Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) was the centerpiece of Mallinckrodt plc’s $5.6 billion acquisition of Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2014 but also triggered alarm bells in some quarters for its fast-growing price.

SAN FRANCISCO – The networking was lively and the outlook optimistic as the Chinese-American Bio/Pharmaceutical Society (CABS) conducted its second Investor Forum in conjunction with the 35th Annual J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. With Chinese investments in U.S. businesses topping $15 billion last year – a record – the question on everyone's mind was whether direct investment in U.S. biotech and life sciences will continue to grow in the face of China's inward-facing currency pressures. Despite obvious challenges, most participants expressed confidence that U.S.-Asia cross-border investment has gathered momentum that isn't likely to hit reverse in 2017.

Alcobra Ltd. is yanking development of metadoxine extended release (MDX) in the lead indication of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults after the phase III registration trial, MEASURE, failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference from placebo in change from baseline of the investigator rating of Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales, or CAARS, the primary endpoint.

SAN FRANCISCO – The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference – and concurrent conferences and one-on-one meetings – is almost a study in sensory overload, from the crowded hallways at the Westin St. Francis to the speed-dating-style one-on-one meetings to the host of company presentations that probably left attendees dreaming in PowerPoint.

SAN FRANCISCO – The networking was lively and the outlook optimistic as the Chinese-American Bio/Pharmaceutical Society (CABS) conducted its second Investor Forum in conjunction with the 35th Annual J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.

During a lively set of panels at the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conference in San Francisco, sponsored by Life Science Nation in conjunction with the 35th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, early stage entrepreneurs got some tough love from life science angels and venture funds. Among the recommendations: Find like-minded investors with similar views on milestones and exits and look for "smart" capital – funders that will provide coaching, advocacy and access, not just money.

SAN FRANCISCO – Coming off a wobbly 2016 – a year when biopharma dealmaking could be viewed as a glass half empty or half full – the direction of the industry this year could hinge on several macro factors, including drug pricing and the ability to improve R&D productivity beyond business development.

The decision by the U.S. District Court in Delaware to issue a permanent injunction against the manufacturing or sale of Praluent (alirocumab) in the U.S. dented shares of developers Sanofi SA and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. while giving a bit of a boost to competitor Amgen Inc., which markets the competing PCSK9 antibody, Repatha (evolocumab).

Loxo Oncology Inc. is seeking to raise approximately $120 million through an underwritten public offering of 3.87 million common shares priced at $31 apiece, a discount of about 5 percent from Wednesday's close of $32.69 for the company's shares (NASDAQ:LOXO).