Aiming to forge deeper into the cancer market, Amgen Inc. is taking from its well-stocked coffers to buy 21.3 percent of Tularik Inc. - $35 million worth of newly issued stock at $10 per share - as part of a deal that includes an oncology collaboration and a total of $125 million in committed funding. (BioWorld Today)
Bringing a new treatment option for patients with the fast-killing blood cancer multiple myeloma, Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. won FDA approval of the proteasome inhibitor Velcade (bortezomib) and plans to launch it next week. (BioWorld Today)
What a difference a year makes. Or not.At this point in 2002, ICOS Corp. had just received word from the FDA that its erectile dysfunction drug candidate Cialis (taladifil), partnered with Eli Lilly and Co., was approvable if three issues were cleared up. (See BioWorld Financial Watch, May 6, 2002.)
Almost eight months after a positive FDA panel review, AstraZeneca plc won accelerated approval Monday for Iressa (gefitinib), its epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor pill for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. (BioWorld Today)
