Exceeding consensus estimates, Amgen Inc.'s first-quarter results showed strong sales that analysts said leave the company poised for near-term growth. (BioWorld Today)

Transforming itself from a development company to one that has its own sales force, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. signed definitive plans to acquire Ascent Pediatrics Inc. for $175 million in cash and stock payments over five years. (BioWorld Today)

In its largest financing to date, Dynogen Pharmaceuticals Inc. secured $50 million in a Series B round, enabling it to build its pipeline and advance its two clinical compounds. (BioWorld Today)

Following a recent trend of lower-than-expected pricings, Immunicon Corp. stepped up to the initial public offering plate on Friday, raising a total of $48 million. (BioWorld Today)

It was a mixed day for Acorda Therapeutics Inc., which said Fampridine-SR missed its endpoints in two pivotal Phase III trials in spinal cord injury (SCI), but also said the drug showed positive trends in a Phase II multiple sclerosis (MS) trial. (BioWorld Today)