Italy’s first major biotechnology start-up of the year is a spinout from the Milan research unit of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. BioXell SpA, which was formed at the beginning of January, held a public launch last week and disclosed its first-round funding of EUR22 million (US$19.3 million). (BioWorld International)

The antidepressant drug development alliance between Danish firm NeuroSearch A/S and partner GlaxoSmithKline plc has hit a bump that will delay progress by several years. The two companies have decided to discontinue development of the neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor NS2389, which had been in Phase II clinical trials. (BioWorld International)

The antidepressant drug development alliance between Danish firm NeuroSearch A/S and partner GlaxoSmithKline plc has hit a bump that will delay progress by several years. The two companies have decided to discontinue development of the neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor NS2389, which had been in Phase II clinical trials. (BioWorld International)