Amazonian plants plucked from the ground. Baseball bats emerging from trees. Chocolate chip cookie ingredients separated from the dough. They were all part of the discussion Monday as the Supreme Court grappled with the science behind Myriad Genetics Inc.'s gene-based claims – and patent law itself. Read More
Briefing documents released ahead of Wednesday's Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee pointed to some inconsistent data for Breo (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol), the combination inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) from GlaxoSmithKline plc and Theravance Inc. Read More
Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc. became the 12th biotech in 2013 and the third in the second quarter seeking to move into the U.S. public markets, filing an S-1 with the SEC for an initial public offering (IPO). The company did not disclose the number of shares or price range. Read More
Stock in Acorda Therapeutics Inc. jumped by more than 12 percent in early trading Monday on its announcement that a proof-of-concept trial showed Ampyra (dalfampridine) improved walking in people with post-stroke deficits such as impaired walking, motor and sensory function, and manual dexterity. Read More
When it comes to getting venture capital (VC) deals done, the science and the financial terms naturally take center stage, but the personalities of the players need to mesh, too, for the best outcomes. Read More
• BioAlliance Pharma SA, of Paris, said it received marketing authorization from the FDA for Sitavig (acyclovir Lauriad) in the treatment of recurring herpes labialis, marking the successful conclusion to the assessment procedure carried out by the American authorities. The drug is marketed in Europe as Sitavir. Read More
DUBLIN, Ireland – Royalty Pharma upped the ante in its efforts to land Elan Corp. plc by raising its bid to $12 per share, an offer that values the Dublin, Ireland-based biotech at around $7.3 billion. Read More
• Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., of Hawthorne, N.Y., said the FDA approved its new drug application for Topicort (desoximetasone) Topical Spray 0.25 percent, a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients 18 years of age or older. Read More
• NeuroDerm Ltd., of Ness Ziona, Israel, said enrollment of patients is ongoing in its Phase IIa clinical trial of ND0612, a treatment for Parkinson's disease. ND0612 is a levodopa/carbidopa liquid formula under development for continuous sub-cutaneous administration through a patch pump. It is designed to provide steady levodopa blood levels. Read More
