Interim phase II data showing that an eight-week course of Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s NS5A inhibitor, ACH-3102, and Sovaldi (sofosbuvir, Gilead Sciences Inc.) in 12 hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 patients resulted in a complete sustained virologic response rate four weeks after treatment (SVR4) pushed company shares (Nasdaq:ACHN) up 9.6 percent to close at $9.25 Friday. Read More
Among the founders of cystic fibrosis (CF) player Proqr Therapeutics BV, which has filed to raise $75 million in an initial public offering (IPO), is a familiar name: Henri Termeer, former CEO of Genzyme Corp. Read More
DUBLIN – Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG, the hottest turnaround story in European biotech this year, raised CHF13.4 million (US$14.8 million) from a sale of treasury shares, as it prepares for a crunch meeting with the FDA to map out a regulatory approval pathway for its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) drug, idebenone (Catena/Raxone). Read More
NEW DELHI – Indian biopharma company Vyome Biosciences raised almost $8 million in a second round of fundraising as part of a push to develop treatments for hard-to-treat skin conditions such as acne, persistent dandruff and bacterial and fungal skin infections. Read More
HONG KONG – Several major players in China's biopharmaceutical industry have released their second quarter and first-half 2014 financial results, with some companies having a better year than others so far. Read More
Like other rare diseases, the development of vaccines and drugs to combat Ebola has been stymied by a lack of financial backing to move therapeutics through clinical trials. Read More
China YCT International Group Inc., of Shandong, China, said it signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xi'an Putian Pharmacy LLP that will allow it to sell Huoliyuan capsules in 15 Chinese provinces. Terms were not disclosed. Read More
Neurovive Pharmaceutical AB, of Stockholm, said enrollment in its ongoing phase IIa study with Neurostat for treating patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is continuing, and another two patients have been enrolled, bringing the number to seven out of a total 20 patients that are targeted. Read More
Mallinckrodt plc, of Dublin, said it completed its acquisition of Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Anaheim, Calif., in a cash and stock transaction valued at about $5.8 billion. Read More
Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered one mechanism by which Ebola virus shuts off the host immune response and, in particular, how the virus specifically prevents interferon from being transported to the cell's nucleus, where it sets off antiviral gene expression programs. Read More
