Up until 1985, one treatment for children with growth deficiencies was nonrecombinant human pituitary growth hormone from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals. Such treatment was discontinued when it was discovered that along with growth hormone, the extracts could contain the prion protein that is the cause of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Read More
SHANGHAI – Hangzhou, China-based Ascletis Inc. received $35 million in venture capital investment and kicked off a Taiwan phase II trial for its interferon-free hepatitis C regimen. Read More
Seeing broad potential for Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.'s oral sphingosine 1-phosphate antagonist MT-1303, Biogen Inc. agreed to pay $60 million up front and up to $484 million in additional milestones for an exclusive license to the phase II program outside Asia. Read More
Data from the much-anticipated SUMMIT study failed to show that Relvar/Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol) statistically significantly extended the lives of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, indicating to investors that the product, dubbed the "son of Advair" likely won't be restoring Glaxosmithkline plc's respiratory disease franchise to its once-great heights. Read More
TOKYO – Japan is reaching out to drug developers from around the world to attract more innovative products and emerge as a regional leader in the field. Read More
HONG KONG – Marking another step in its path to profitability, South Korea's Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd. reported a first approval in its home market for a biosimilar – Brenzys – based on Amgen Inc.'s blockbuster Enbrel (etanercept) to treat arthritis. Read More
HONG KONG – Regulators around the world – beyond Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East – are increasingly exploring the impact of Sharia Law on the health care markets they oversee. Read More
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia, said it intends to offer and sell $75 million of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. Read More
Epirus Biopharmaceuticals Inc., of Boston, said it entered an agreement for the acquisition of Bioceros Holding B.V., of Utrecht, the Netherlands, enabling the expansion of its biosimilar pipeline and vertical integration product development capabilities. Read More
Pherecydes Pharma SA, of Romainville, France, said it launched the Phagoburn trial, a randomized and monitored phase I/II, single-blind trial, to evaluate the tolerance and effectiveness of two anti-infection bacteriophage treatments in serious burn patients. Read More
